Interim Head of People

We're on the lookout for an interim Head of People to manage our busy, but collaborative People team for a 9-12 month contract. This role will work closely with the business to design and deliver a people operations proposition that meets business, market and regulatory requirements and encourages a culture of high performance. As well as this, you'll partner with the European CEO and management teams to co-create and implement our most impactful people initiatives and strategic resolutions.

**Direct Reports**:
Head of Talent
Learning & Development Manager
People Partners x 2

About Assembly
At Assembly, we help brands find the change to fuel business growth. We are an award-winning global brand performance agency, home to 1,600 talented people across 25 offices globally. We create unique data, technology and media solutions that enable faster and smarter problem solving and an inspired, collaborative workplace culture.
**At Assembly we embody three core values**: Show Up - actively contribute to a space of personal and collective growth; Make Change - embrace obstacles as opportunities, taking intentional steps to drive positive change; and Win Well - approach success with integrity, responsibility, and a commitment to collaboration, understanding that the journey is as important as the destination. Together, we create an environment that fosters continuous learning, adaptability, and a shared passion for making a meaningful impact.

**Responsibilities**:

- Generalist HR leadership duties covering People Operations, Talent Acquisition, Learning & Development and Reward.
- Oversee the current People Team and devise best strategic people projects.
- Work closely with the Finance Team on a monthly basis to manage budgets, overall costs
- Be responsible for benefits, brokerage and to oversees the payroll from an admin and processing perspective,
- Develop and maintain fair people policies reflecting our unique culture and ways of working.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of existing HR operations and policies.
- Responsible for DEI
- Devise an appropriate People Plan that aligns with business priorities and plans.
- Develop Risk and Retention planning based on feedback.
- Facilitate and implement key People initiatives, starting with a clear progression framework at company and employee level.
- Oversight on all aspects of People Management across the business, including day-to-day line manager coaching directly and via your team.
- Provide legal advice to resolve people issues professionally and ethically, consulting external advisors as required.
- Be an engaged member of the Executive Senior Team, taking part in key business decisions and contributing your ideas.
- Responsible for reporting and tracking of all people analytics

**Requirements**:

- Lead-from-the-front leader with willingness to roll up sleeves when needed
- A strong generalist background with experience of the full employee lifecycle and great understanding across the People function.
- Proven experience as Head of HR or similar senior HR role in 200+ person business.
- Confident knowledge of UK employment law and comfortable operating across all markets in Europe, include Germany, Spain, France and Poland
- Great communicator with strong EQ, both in 1:1 and in large groups.
- Direct in approach and comfortable challenging at all levels.
- Ability to use data and analytics to measure success and output.
- Aptitude in communication and presentation skills.
- Well-organised with excellent leadership qualities.
- Previous experience of providing input into company decision making and influencing at a senior level

**Benefits**:
Our benefits include, 24 days holiday a year (increasing by 1 day/year to a max of 30 with every year of service), a day of birthday leave, 1/2 day off before public holidays, 1/2 day off for Christmas shopping, early finish Fridays, pension, life assurance, enhanced parental leave and access to Perkbox.
Equal opportunities
Assembly is an advocate for equal opportunity in the workplace. We are committed to ensuring equal opportunities regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability and gender identity. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.
Social and Environmental Responsibility
At Assembly, we have a responsibility to bring impact into our every day. This means we must always look for ways in which to be conscious citizens in our roles to support society and environmental sustainability. We encourage employees to; be a conscious citizen by actively participating in our organisation's sustainability efforts, help us promote environmentally friendly practices within the workplace, collaborate with community organisations and stakeholders to support initiatives aligned with our company's val