People & Culture Advisor
3 days ago
London
JOB ROLE: People & Culture Advisor TYPE: Fixed Term (6 months) / Part Time (4 days) SALARY: £21—28k per annum, pro rata (equivalent to £35—40k full-time) REPORTS TO: Managing Partner DEPARTMENT: Operations LOCATION: 101 St. John Street, London, EC1M 4AS THE COMPANY Bearded Kitten is a global creative experience agency with a portfolio of award-winning work. Our mission is clear: to fearlessly champion fun and create the unforgettable. Don’t be deceived by our quirky name – Bearded Kitten is the real deal. From large scale brand experiences to cultural launch events, from building immersive worlds to conferences and employee engagement initiatives - we cover it all. It’s an exciting time to be a Kitten, in the past year the company has grown rapidly and we’ve worked with some of the world’s biggest brands. With an ever growing client base across the UK and beyond - this is an opportunity to join a fast paced, innovative team. THE ROLE We are looking for a proactive and people-focused People & Culture Advisor to support our HR function and help create a workplace where individuals feel valued, supported, and able to thrive. This role covers the full employee lifecycle and is hands on. You will play a critical part in fostering a positive culture, ensuring compliance, and driving people-focused initiatives that align with our values and goals. This role is ideal for someone with a strong HR generalist background (ideally within the creative industries), who is either CIPD Level 5 qualified or currently working towards it. You should be highly organised, empathetic and approachable, and comfortable working independently in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. RESPONSIBILITIES ONBOARDING • Prepare and administer all new starter documentation and facilitate the induction process for all new starters., • Work closely with the Office Administrator to source and purchase the appropriate technology and desk equipment for each new starter. EMPLOYEE RELATIONS & PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT • Act as a trusted first point of contact for employees and line managers, offering clear and confidential guidance on a range of HR matters, including conduct, conflict resolution and well-being., • Support line managers in giving feedback, managing performance, and navigating sensitive conversations in a fair, constructive, and legally compliant manner. POLICY DEVELOPMENT & COMPLIANCE • Regularly review, update, and maintain HR policies and programs to ensure clarity, relevance, and compliance with employment legislation as well as enhancing workplace culture., • Stay up to date with UK employment law and HR best practices to ensure all advice, documentation, and practices reflect current legal standards and company values., • Following Bearded Kitten’s acquisition by Havas Play UK, support the integration process, acting as a key liaison between Havas’ HR team and Bearded Kitten to ensure smooth communication, alignment of processes, and implementation of the new HRIS. CULTURE, ENGAGEMENT & COMMUNICATION • Design and implement initiatives that promote a fun and inclusive workplace culture, rooted in belonging., • Monitor employee feedback and emerging trends, working collaboratively with leadership to improve workplace culture, performance processes, and employee engagement., • Lead on internal engagement strategies that include monthly team events as well as coordinating an annual overnight offsite. PAYROLL, BENEFITS & BUDGET MANAGEMENT • Support the finance team with monthly overtime reporting, accurately inputting data into the HR System., • Manage employee benefits programs, including enrolment, changes, and communications., • Ensure effective allocation, tracking, and reconciliation of internal budgets totalling approximately £100k annually. INTERNSHIP PROGRAM MANAGEMENT • Actively source, build, and nurture relationships with charities, universities, and community organisations to create a consistent pipeline of diverse intern candidates across a range of disciplines and backgrounds., • Champion the internship program and coordinate internship placements internally, ensuring a valuable learning experience for interns. THE PERSON • Holds or actively working towards a CIPD Level 5 (Associate Diploma in People Management)., • 3+ years experience working in the HR function, preferably in the creative industries., • Strong HR knowledge with a solid understanding of UK employment law, HR policies, and compliance requirements., • Comfortable working with IT systems and able to coordinate tech setup and support., • Experience working in a small or scaling business with a hands-on, generalist approach., • Exposure to diversity, equity & inclusion initiatives and a passion for driving inclusive culture., • Empathetic and approachable, with excellent interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence., • A strong communicator, both written and verbal, with the ability to adapt messaging for different audiences., • Highly organised and detail-oriented, able to manage multiple tasks and deadlines simultaneously., • A proactive problem-solver, capable of working independently and making sound decisions., • Collaborative and team-oriented, with the ability to build strong relationships across all levels of the organisation., • Discreet and trustworthy, with a strong sense of integrity and respect for confidentiality. OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU • 25 days paid holiday, plus Bank Holidays. 1 additional day added per year of service up to 5 days., • Approximately five additional days off over the Christmas/New Year period., • Hybrid working. Compulsory office days are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays., • Flexi-time policy., • Generous overtime policy., • Discretionary end of year bonus scheme., • New Business Incentive Scheme from day one., • Employee Referral Incentive Policy from day one., • Work mobile and/or eSim and work laptop., • Employee assistance programme with free access to mental health resources., • Enhanced maternity & paternity leave policy after 1 year of full service. 3 months full pay including statutory for lead carer or 1 month full pay including statutory for second carer., • Monthly team socials, plus an annual team offsite with overnight stay., • Free use of BK equipment; workshop, tools, rehearsal space etc for personal use., • Season ticket loans offered., • Cycle to work scheme., • Guaranteed hilarity and nonsense on a daily basis.