Job Description – Head of HR (UK)

Location: London, United Kingdom

Reports to: CEO

Company: Publicly Listed Global Advertising & Media Group

Regions Covered: UK (primary), with collaboration across US, MENA, and Asia Pacific

About the Company

Our client is a publicly traded advertising and media company with an established global footprint across the US, MENA, and Asia Pacific regions. As part of an ambitious global expansion, the company is entering the European market, with the United Kingdom serving as its first strategic hub.

Role Overview

The Head of HR (UK) will be the second hire in the UK and the key leader responsible for building the HR function entirely from the ground up. This role requires a hands-on, entrepreneurial HR leader who is comfortable operating in a fast-paced, early-stage environment while aligning with the company’s global strategy. The successful candidate will act as a strategic partner to the CEO and play a pivotal role in shaping culture, processes, and talent strategy for the UK and broader European expansion.

Key Responsibilities

• Build, establish, and lead the full HR function in the UK, including policies, processes, systems, and compliance.
• Partner closely with the CEO to design HR strategy supporting rapid growth and market entry.
• Drive end-to-end talent acquisition, workforce planning, and onboarding as the UK team scales.
• Develop and implement performance management frameworks, compensation structures, and employee development programs.
• Ensure compliance with UK employment laws and support alignment with global HR standards.
• Act as a cultural ambassador, promoting a cohesive, high-performance, and collaborative working environment.
• Advise leadership on organisational design, employee relations, and strategic workforce initiatives.
• Support HR coordination across global offices to ensure consistent practices and communication.

Qualifications & Experience

• 10+ years of progressive HR experience, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
• Strong background in startup, scale-up, or entrepreneurial environments, ideally building HR functions from scratch.
• Solid understanding of UK employment law and HR compliance requirements.
• Experience in multinational organisations or media/advertising sectors is highly advantageous.
• Proven ability to operate both strategically and hands-on in a lean environment.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to thrive in ambiguity and adapt quickly to changing business needs.