Associate People Director

Craft:Job Description:Job Title : Associate People DirectorReporting To : Senior People DirectorDepartment : HRLocation : Office based (Soho, London) & hybrid work from homeContract Term : Fixed-Term until mid-April 2027.We are seeking a passionate and strategic Associate People Director who thrives on building high-performing teams, partnering with stakeholders, and fostering an inclusive, engaging culture. This role blends strategic oversight with hands-on involvement to align people strategies with business objectives, ensuring the continued success of the Activision Blizzard operations in EMEA.Reporting to the Senior People Director, you will serve as a trusted advisor and strategic partner to the AB Go-to-Market (GTM) teams, who drive Franchise Marketing and Communication plans across the region, contributing to an annual revenue of $1.4 billion. Additionally, you will provide support to our AB & King (ABK) Corporate Functions, such as Finance, HR, IT, Information Security, and more.You will be a collaborative, influential and skilled at navigating a complex matrix organization while balancing the diverse HR needs of various stakeholders. Partnering closely with Center of Excellence (COE) and the broader HR team, you will deliver impactful, results-driven initiatives.You will work with leaders across ABK to develop and implement people strategies and solutions that align with both short-term priorities and long-term organizational goals. This is an exciting opportunity to shape and enhance the employee experience during a pivotal and dynamic period of change.To thrive in this position, you must be a people-focused problem solver with exceptional emotional intelligence and integrity. You will bring outstanding attention to detail, a proactive approach, and strong critical thinking skills to drive meaningful outcomes.Your roleBuild trusted relationships with leaders, coaching and supporting them in executing people initiativesTranslate business strategies into people and organizational priorities, driving cultural and operational transformationServe as a strategic advisor, influencing decisions that align with business goals and people prioritiesPartner with leaders to improve the organization structure and operating modelDesign and execute people strategies including delivery of cyclical activities, learning initiatives, engagement activities and process improvementPartner with COEs to leverage expertise in Talent Management, Diversity & Inclusion, and Employee EngagementLead processes such as talent planning, succession planning, workforce planning, performance management including compensation and equity planningPartner with Talent Acquisition to ensure strategic hiring that aligns with business needs and DE&I goals.Drive retention strategies and create skilling plans to address development gaps for critical roles.Leverage data to inform decisions, shape strategies, and influence stakeholders with compelling storytelling.Analyse key people metrics (e.g., attrition, talent gaps) to identify trends and drive actionable solutions.Champion Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I), embedding these values across all people strategies.Lead organizational development and cultural initiatives, ensuring effective communication and seamless implementation.Guide leaders through change management processes to enable smooth transitions and maintain high engagement.Lead and participate in other cross-functional projects as needed to improve HR processes, policies, and systemsPlayer ProfileWe’re looking for a highly skilled and motivated HR professional who embodies our values and thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. You will have a blended background of strategic and operational HR skills continuously applied to improve the company’s culture. Ideal candidates will demonstrate:Strong coaching and advisory skills, with the ability to build trust and influence across all levels of leadershipExpertise in talent management, workforce planning, organizational design, and change management and can ensure excellence in the execution for all people-related processesProficiency in analysing and interpreting data to drive insights, actions and build a people-centric plan with relevant initiativesStrong communication and storytelling skills to effectively convey complex ideasInitiative in a fast-moving environment; proactive problem solver, roll‑up‑one’s‑sleeves attitude with courage of conviction and steadfast integrityOutstanding project and process management skills with a track record of delivering high‑quality results in a complex, dynamic business environmentStrategic business partnering experience gained from complex, matrixed organizationsA proactive, hands‑on approach balanced with strategic thinkingA growth mindset and a passion for fostering inclusive, high‑performing culturesResilience and adaptability to thrive in a fast‑paced, constantly evolving environmentA team player that values being part of a collaborative and high performing teamIn‑depth knowledge of UK employment lawBonus pointsExperience in digital, entertainment, or technology sectorsProven track record in organizational development and talent management at a senior levelExperience of working in an international diverse environment and a strong understanding of DE&I principlesAbout KingWith a mission of Making the World Playful , King is a leading interactive entertainment company with more than 20 years of history of delivering some of the world’s most iconic games in the mobile gaming industry, including the world‑famous Candy Crush franchise, as well as other mobile game hits such as Farm Heroes Sag a. King games are played by more than 200 million monthly active users. King, part of Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), has Kingsters in Stockholm, Malmö, London, Barcelona, Berlin, Dublin, San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles and Malta. More information can be found at King.com or by following us on LinkedIn, @lifeatking on Instagram, or @king_games on X. #J-18808-Ljbffr