About this People Operations Specialist - Fixed Term Contract role at VML
Who We Are
VML, part of WPP, is a leading creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce, creating connected brands to drive growth. VML is celebrated for its innovative and human first, award-winning work for blue chip client partners including AstraZeneca, Colgate-Palmolive, Dell, Ford, Microsoft, Nestlé, The Coca-Cola Company, and Wendy's. The agency is recognized by the Forrester Wave™ Reports, as a Leader among Marketing Creative and Content Service Providers, Commerce Services, Global Digital Experience Services, Global Marketing Services and, most recently, Marketing Measurement & Optimization. In addition, VML’s specialist health network, VML Health, is one of the world’s largest and most awarded health agencies. VML’s global network is powered by 26,000 talented people across 55+ markets, with principal offices in Kansas City, New York, Detroit, London, São Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore, and Sydney.
About WPP
WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. For more information, visit WPP.com.
To deliver an exceptional employee experience by providing efficient, accurate and compliant People Operations support across the employee lifecycle. The People Operations Specialist owns assigned processes end-to-end, ensuring activities are completed on time, risks are proactively managed and stakeholders are kept informed throughout.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage employee lifecycle activities including onboarding, contractual changes, transfers, probation, leave processes and offboarding.
- Maintain accurate employee records and process transactions within Workday and other People systems.
- Act as the first point of contact for employees and managers, providing timely and professional support on People-related queries.
- Support payroll administration by ensuring information is accurate and submitted within agreed deadlines.
- Prepare People documentation including contracts, letters and employment-related correspondence.
- Ensure compliance with employment legislation, internal policies and right to work requirements.
- Identify opportunities to improve processes, enhance the employee experience and increase operational efficiency.
- Contribute to People projects and support the implementation of new initiatives and ways of working.
Accountabilities
The People Operations Specialist is accountable for:
- Owning assigned People processes from initiation through to completion.
- Delivering work accurately and within agreed service levels.
- Escalating risks, issues or potential missed deadlines early.
- Maintaining high standards of data integrity and confidentiality.
- Providing a professional, responsive and customer-focused service.
- Taking personal responsibility for outcomes rather than individual tasks.
Experience and Skills
- Experience in a People Operations, HR Administration or Shared Services environment.
- Experience managing employee lifecycle processes.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- High attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
- Ability to work independently and take ownership of deliverables.
- Experience using HR systems (Workday desirable).
Ways of Working
We expect our People Operations Specialists to:
- Own it – take accountability for processes end-to-end.
- Deliver on commitments – meet deadlines and follow through.
- Escalate early – identify and raise risks before they become issues.
- Stay accountable – understand your responsibilities and proactively manage them.
- Provide excellent service – communicate professionally, promptly and with empathy.
- Continuously improve – challenge inefficiencies and seek better ways of working.
We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office an average of four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.
WPP (VML) is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.
VML is a WPP agency (NYSE: WPP). For more information, please visit www.vml.com, and follow along on Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.
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