Head of People

StudioXAG - Certified B Corporation®

. Define and deliver a clear People strategy aligned to business goals.

Posted 4/21/2026full-timeLondon • 🇬🇧 United KingdomLead💰 £85,000 - £110,000 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Define and deliver a clear People strategy aligned to business goals.
Shape a culture that balances creativity, performance and care, and scales sustainably.
Act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on organisational and people decisions.
Build strong leadership capability across the studio.
Coach senior leaders to improve team effectiveness, performance and decision-making.
Develop future leaders and support progression across teams.
Own and deliver a focused L&D approach across all levels.
Embed practical development across leadership, craft and team capability.
Ensure learning is aligned to business needs and future growth.
Own and evolve performance frameworks (RMC, PDP).
Drive clarity in roles, expectations and accountability across teams.
Ensure performance conversations are consistent, meaningful and outcome-focused.
Own and evolve the organisational structure across the studio.
Ensure clear team structures, strong succession plans and leadership depth.
Maintain visibility of key talent, rising stars and potential risks.
Lead regular org and talent reviews to inform hiring and development.
Oversee hiring strategy and standards across the business.
Ensure roles are well-defined and hiring decisions are high quality and consistent.
Partner with leaders to build effective, balanced teams.
Act as a trusted partner to leaders on team effectiveness, change and complex situations.
Provide clear, pragmatic guidance on sensitive matters.
Bring consistency and confidence to people decision-making.
Ensure People processes and systems are scalable and effective.
Use data and insight to inform decisions and drive action.
Oversee reward, progression and core People processes.
Shape and evolve the People function to meet the needs of the business.
Build a model where People sets direction and leaders confidently apply it day-to-day.
Create a function that is trusted, impactful and embedded across the studio.

Requirements

What you’ll need

A senior People leader with experience in a fast-paced, creative or client-facing environment (agency experience highly desirable).
Strong track record of building teams, developing leaders and shaping high-performing cultures.
Experience evolving or restructuring a People function.
Able to operate both strategically and hands-on.
High emotional intelligence, sound judgement and a calm, grounded approach.
Low ego, high ownership, and strong relationship-building skills.
Confident influencing senior stakeholders and challenging where needed.
Strong understanding of performance, organisational design and People best practice.
Commercially aware, with a clear link between People and business performance.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Gross profit-related annual bonus scheme
Workplace pension
22 days holiday + 3 days off for Xmas Closure + a day off for your birthday + Bank Holidays
0.5 paid days off per month to get inspired
International research budgets and trips
All-you-can-eat YCN creative professional learning membership
Spill mental health support
Cycle to work scheme
Access to fitness discounts

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

performance frameworkslearning and development (L&D)organisational designteam effectivenesssuccession planningdata analysishiring strategypeople processescoachingleadership development

Soft Skills

emotional intelligencerelationship buildinginfluencingjudgementcalmnessownershipcreativitydecision-makingcommunicationstrategic thinking