SR People and Culture Manager

JOIN US We’re looking for an experienced People & Culture Manager to join Liganova Mash on a fixed-term contract until 30 March 2027, working five days a week, with the possibility of the role becoming permanent. This standalone position supports our UK and German teams, combining operational HR responsibilities with culture, engagement, and talent development. Working closely with the Managing Director and leadership team, you’ll play a key role in shaping the employee experience within a fast‑paced, internationally connected creative agency. WHAT YOU DO People Operations & HR Administration * Manage day‑to‑day HR operations across the UK and German teams, ensuring a smooth and positive employee experience throughout the full employee lifecycle. * Independently manage in‑house end‑to‑end payroll, ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time. * Process payroll changes including starters, leavers, salary changes, bonuses, holiday and statutory payments. * Manage HMRC submissions, pension administration and payroll reporting requirements. * Liaise confidently with external providers where required, while maintaining ownership of the payroll process internally. * Oversee employee benefits administration, including pension and wider benefit management. * Coordinate insurance renewals and maintain accurate people‑related records and documentation. * Regularly review and maintain employee information on Personio, HR system. * Conduct Right to Work checks and ensure compliance with employment legislation and internal processes. * Prepare and issue employment contracts, contract amendments and other employment documentation. * Assist with the management and coordination of freelancers, including contracts, onboarding and general administration. People & Culture * Partner with the Managing Director and senior leadership team to evolve and support our people strategy as the agency grows. * Coach and support managers across the business to lead their teams confidently and effectively. * Act as a trusted advisor on employee relations matters, helping navigate conversations with empathy, professionalism and commercial awareness. * Ensure HR policies, processes and documentation remain up to date, compliant and fit for purpose. * Support performance management and help foster a culture built on constructive feedback, development and accountability. * Drive employee engagement initiatives that strengthen collaboration, communication and culture across the agency. Recruitment & Onboarding * Lead recruitment across the agency, partnering with hiring managers from briefing through to offer stage. * Help strengthen our employer brand and attract exceptional creative and operational talent. * Oversee onboarding and induction processes to ensure new starters feel welcomed, connected and set up for success from day one. * Identify development opportunities and support learning initiatives tailored to a creative, multidisciplinary team. * Encourage a culture of continuous learning and professional development across the business. Wellbeing & Engagement * Bring energy and ideas to internal culture initiatives, social events and team moments. * Champion wellbeing initiatives in ways that feel authentic, inclusive and meaningful. * Support awareness campaigns and internal initiatives around inclusion, wellbeing and employee engagement. * Help create an environment where people genuinely enjoy coming to work and feel valued as individuals. DEI, Compliance & Business Support * Champion diversity, equity and inclusion across recruitment, development and employee experience. * Support the business in building inclusive practices and meaningful conversations across the agency. * Assist with people and culture information for pitches, credentials and wider business development activity. * Support sustainability and responsible business initiatives, including future accreditation or certification projects. * Contribute to internal compliance processes, including supporting and maintaining TISAX certification requirements and related people processes. WHO YOU ARE * Strong HR generalist experience, ideally within a creative, agency, media or fast‑growing business. * Proven experience independently managing in‑house end‑to‑end payroll, HMRC submissions, pensions and benefits accurately and autonomously. * Comfortable working in a standalone People & Culture role with ownership across both operational and strategic HR responsibilities. * Comfortable working across the full employee lifecycle, from recruitment and onboarding to employee relations, policy and engagement. * Experience supporting international teams or working across multiple regions would be advantageous. * A proactive and collaborative approach, with the confidence to build strong relationships across all levels of the business. * Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with sound judgement and emotional intelligence. * Good understanding of UK employment law and its practical application within a commercial environment. * Ability to speak German and understanding of German employment law and practices would be a strong advantage. * Genuine interest in culture, wellbeing, DEI and employee engagement. * Highly organised with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively. * CIPD qualified, or equivalent relevant work experience. WHAT TO EXPECT * Working in an international and integrated team with top talents from different fields. * Flexibility to work remotely 2‑3 days a week, and the ability to work from home, the North Pole or somewhere warmer for up to one month each year. We encourage warmer. * Structured onboarding, development & tools (Groove‑in Buddy, Feedback talks, state‑of‑the‑art IT equipment and more). * Treat yourself with loads of perks and offers through Perkbox. * Consider yourself well cared for through Income Protection and Life Assurance, as well as 25 days holidays excluding BH and your birthday off. * Make your money go further through our salary sacrifice pension and cycle to work scheme. * A working environment that ensures fair and equal opportunities for all. We live and support diversity, openness and mutual respect and welcome new colleagues regardless of nationality, ethnicity, origin, religion, age, gender, identity and sexual orientation. J-18808-Ljbffr