Associate Director of Human Resources

Ogilvy & Mather, Network of the Year at Cannes for the 5th year running, is one of the largest marketing communications companies in the world. Through its specialty units, the company provides a comprehensive range of marketing services including: advertising; public relations and public affairs; branding and identity; shopper and retail marketing; healthcare communications; direct, digital, promotion, relationship marketing.

Ogilvy Public Relations is seeking a results-driven HR professional with progressive business partnering experience to join the Washington D.C. office. By combining their experience with our culture, this person will provide smart, creative and forward thinking solutions to our talent challenges by finding, growing & keeping the best talent who will make brands matter. This position will partner directly with the leadership team, the broader Talent Management community and work as an employee champion and change agent for the Washington D.C. office.

* Conducts weekly meetings with line management, providing HR guidance where appropriate * Manages and resolves complex employee relations issues. Conducts effective, thorough and objective investigations. Maintains in-depth knowledge of legal requirements related to day-to-day management of employees, reducing legal risks and ensuring regulatory compliance * Along with the company’s strategic imperatives and values, ensure a collaborative workforce based on shared goals and accountability. Provide opportunity for all employees, effective leadership and a fair and consistent workplace * Provides day-to-day performance management guidance to staff (coaching, counseling, career development, disciplinary actions). Works closely with management and employees to improve work relationships, build morale, and increase productivity and retention. Provides HR policy guidance and interpretation * Provides guidance and input on workforce planning and succession planning. Identifies training needs for business unit and individuals * Own compensation planning process to provide equitable compensation recommendations to pay for performance. Liaise with leadership team and compensation team in NA * Manage localized recruiting efforts, meet with managers regularly to assess talent needs and gaps, address talent needs through internal assessment of talent and/or recruitment of new talent, partner with Finance for all relevant approvals * Local employer branding in the marketplace and talent pipelining (e.g. develop university relationships, professional association partnerships, diversity organization partnerships etc.); benchmarking local talent markets/labor pool analysis * Oversee onboarding, orientation, and off-boarding process for local office * Partner with senior management to develop learning and development recommendations – implement training curriculum for local office utilizing internal SMEs and/or external vendors, leverage O&M NA L&D and WPP training as appropriate * Work with office leadership to resolve office operational issues * Oversee reception, facilities staff and dotted line management of IT staff. Manage office operations-office moves, office supplies/IT, space allocation, employee parking and overall office maintenance needs * Corporate events- responsible for office culture including office events * Face of all HR functions to employees on the ground- first line for all questions related to benefits, payroll, compensation * Train incoming HR and Recruiting staff when needed * Participate in NA Talent Management initiatives as appropriate

* 7-9 years Human Resources experience in large, complex business environments, at least 5 of those years must be as an HR Generalist serving a client group including leadership levels * Bachelors Degree required, PHR or SPHR preferred * Must have experience with all prominent areas of the employee life cycle including recruitment, talent management (performance/learning & development, compensation/benefits, employee relations/coaching, succession planning) and terminations * Advertising agency (or creative-driven business) experience highly preferred * Excellent organizational awareness and interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to navigate successfully in a fast paced, complex, highly-matrixed environment * Strong project management skills with ability to manage competing priorities * Creative problem solver with high level of initiative and sense of personal accountability * Demonstrated ability to build consensus and create deep collaborative relationships * Strong internal and external client service focus; comfortable working in an environment which demands strong deliverables along with the ability to identify issues, and develop appropriate solutions * Superior relationship management and influencing/negotiating skills * Knowledge of HR Analytics. Must have experience with an ATS and/or HRIS