ABOUT THE INDEPENDENTS GROUP
The Independents Group is a global collective of best-in-class agencies across communications, experiences, talent, and content, servicing leaders in fashion, beauty, lifestyle, and design. With a footprint that spans New York, Los Angeles, Paris, London, Milan, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Beijing, we champion creative excellence and a culture-first approach.
ROLE OVERVIEW
As Head of HR – US, you will lead the People function across the US for all agencies within The Independents Group, including Bureau Betak, Karla Otto, K2, Prodject and Lefty. You will act as a strategic partner to local leadership, ensuring HR supports the business in delivering its commercial and cultural ambitions. You'll collaborate closely with The Independents Group's Global Head of People, the HR Director for the UK & US, the Global HR Director for K2, and other international colleagues to ensure the US HR strategy aligns with global priorities while addressing local market needs.
You'll be responsible for delivering the full HR agenda across the region, from employee relations, recruitment, and talent development to engagement, compliance, and organizational design, all with a focus on operational excellence, people experience, and equity.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic HR Leadership
- Partner with agency and regional leadership to drive the People strategy across all US offices.
- Act as a trusted advisor to managers on performance, development, engagement, and retention.
- Champion Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion across all people practices and decision-making.
Talent Management
- Build strategic talent pipelines both internally and externally, aligned to business needs.
- Design and oversee an industry-leading internship program.
- Lead succession planning, internal mobility, and talent mapping initiatives.
- Manage end-to-end recruitment in partnership with Talent Acquisition Specialist and hiring managers.
Learning & Development
- Identify development needs across all levels and create impactful, data-driven L&D strategies.
- Implement consistent performance management, career growth, and feedback frameworks in line with global standards.
Employee Experience & Engagement
- Lead initiatives that drive engagement and culture, informed by insights from exit interviews, employee touchpoints and feedback loops.
- Develop and execute internal communications strategies that are transparent, inclusive, and energizing.
- Partner with the Global HR team on competitive compensation and benefits strategies.
HR Operations & Compliance
- Audit and implement HR policies that are legally compliant and aligned to company culture.
- Ensure consistent, efficient, and accurate HR processes and administration.
- Promote process standardization and best practice sharing across markets.
Global Collaboration
- Collaborate closely with The Independents Group's Global Head of People, the HR Director for the UK & US, the Global HR Director for K2, and other international colleagues.
- Contribute to global HR projects and initiatives, ensuring successful implementation in the US while sharing local insights to shape global priorities.
- Support cross-market mobility, workforce planning, and the sharing of best practices.
REQUIREMENTS
- Degree or equivalent in Human Resources Management or a related field.
- Proven HR leadership experience in fast-paced, creative environments (e.g. agency, fashion, media, or lifestyle industries).
- Deep understanding of US labor law and employment practices; experience across multiple states is a plus.
- Strong stakeholder management and the ability to build trust and influence at all levels.
- Excellent organizational and project management skills; comfortable working at pace.
- High EQ, sound judgment, and a solutions-oriented mindset.
- Willingness to be hands-on while also thinking strategically.
- Experience working in a global or multi-location organization.
- Eligible to work in the US.
- Additional languages a plus but not essential.
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