Global People Lead

Role Overview:

As the Gain Theory Global People Lead, you will be responsible for defining and executing Gain Theory’s global People & Culture (P&C) strategy, integrating the Lead, Perform, and Grow framework to enhance leadership capabilities, drive high performance, and foster growth opportunities for employees. The role involves close partnership with the CEO, Executive Committee (ExCO), and WPP network to align people strategy with business goals such as Purposeful Growth, Client Growth, and Operational Excellence. Additionally, the role focuses on future-proofing the workforce through AI adoption, skills foresight, and readiness for the future of work, while championing inclusion, collaboration, and continuous learning globally.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Partnership
• • Define and deliver the global People & Culture strategy aligned with the Lead. Perform. Grow. framework.
  • Collaborate with the Executive Committee to translate business priorities into actionable people and capability plans.
  • Work with VML and WPP centres of excellence on compensation, talent, and learning initiatives to leverage group-scale benefits.
  • Promote leadership and management excellence through targeted programs, cross-functional collaboration, and inclusive leadership.
  • Utilise data-driven, predictive approaches for people decisions using analytics and pulse insights.
  • Develop and implement future-of-work strategies, including AI adoption and workforce capability planning.
  • Link people KPIs, such as engagement and retention, directly to operational KPIs like efficiency and innovation.

• Performance, Talent & Growth
  • Lead quarterly talent reviews, succession planning, and high-potential (HiPo) development globally.
  • Implement a unified performance and recognition framework reinforcing Gain Theory’s values and client promise of ‘Unmatched Value’.
  • Advocate for career path transparency and expansion of graduate and mobility programs.
  • Integrate consulting, influence, and AI literacy skills into capability frameworks to prepare the workforce for future challenges.
  • Monitor and report key people and organisational health metrics, linking them to client growth and operational excellence.

• Culture, Inclusion & Wellbeing
  • Foster a high-performance, inclusive culture that supports well-being and belonging to enable optimal employee performance.
  • Embed inclusion and belonging metrics into leadership expectations and business scorecards.
  • Design initiatives promoting psychological safety, equitable opportunities, and workload wellbeing.
  • Drive employee engagement through continuous listening, employee councils, and proactive communication.
  • Collaborate with Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) to integrate sustainability and social impact into leadership and employee experience.

• Business Transformation & Organisational Effectiveness
  • Partner with area leads to evolve Gain Theory’s operating model for efficiency and scalability.
  • Lead change leadership capabilities to ensure organisational agility, adaptability, and resilience.
  • Champion digital HR transformation initiatives involving platforms like Workday, Asana, and CultureAmp to enhance workforce visibility and efficiency.
  • Uphold ethical, compliant, and transparent people practices globally, ensuring responsible employer standards.

• Employer Brand & Employee Experience
  • Strengthen Gain Theory’s reputation as a Best Place to Work and an Employer of Choice within the sector.
  • Develop the Employee Value Proposition (EVP) aligned with the company’s purposeful growth strategy.
  • Build and sustain talent communities and alumni networks to maintain engagement beyond employment.
  • Represent Gain Theory’s people brand externally to attract top talent in data, analytics, and strategy through thought leadership and industry partnerships.

• People & Culture Team Leadership
  • Lead and develop the global People & Culture team, ensuring regional alignment, capability growth, and shared purpose.
  • Foster a high-performing, collaborative HR community modelling Gain Theory’s cultural aspirations.

About You

• A proven track record (typically 15+ years) in senior People & Culture leadership roles, ideally spanning multiple geographies and transformation contexts.
• Proven success in organisational transformation, culture building, and leadership development.
• Skilled in data-driven decision making, predictive analytics, and linking people's impact to business outcomes.
• Global experience across EMEA, APAC, and North America.
• Commercially minded, collaborative leader capable of influencing at ExCO and Board level.
• Passionate about inclusion, wellbeing, sustainability, and creating environments where people thrive.
• Curious, future-focused, and aligned with Gain Theory’s values of Be curious, Be positive, Act with consideration, and Make it better.

About Gain Theory

Gain Theory is a global marketing effectiveness consultancy that empowers marketing and insight professionals to build agile, data-informed cultures through data, technology, and advanced analytics. The company serves clients worldwide, enhancing business performance by improving marketing effectiveness and efficiency, increasing profits, market share, and share price growth. Its global team comprises over 250 consultants, data scientists, mathematicians, and marketing technology specialists operating in more than 60 markets. Gain Theory values diversity, inclusivity, and equal opportunity, striving to build a team representing varied backgrounds and perspectives to create better work collaboratively. More information can be found at https://www.gaintheory.com/ 

WPP (Gain Theory) 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. 

Gain Theory is a WPP-owned consultancy. For more information_, please visit please visit our website and follow Gain Theory on our social channels via LinkedIn and Twitter.

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