Senior People Partner - META

Who we are:

Burson, part of WPP, is the global communications leader built to create value for clients through reputation. With highly specialized teams, industry-leading technologies and breakthrough creative, we help brands and businesses redefine reputation as a competitive advantage so they can lead today and into the future. When you work at Burson, you are part of a global community of lifelong learners who thrive at the edge of innovation.

WPP (LSE/NYSE: 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  

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Burson has been named Middle East Agency of the Year at the PRovoke Media SABRE Awards and recognised within the top 10 most Inspiring Workplaces in Middle East & Africa.

More about the role:

As a Senior People Partner, you will act as a trusted strategic advisor to managers and senior leadership across the UAE, South Africa, Turkey and Egypt, driving people initiatives that align with Burson’s values and business objectives. Based in Abu Dhabi and partnering closely with the People Director, you will lead on performance management, employee relations, engagement, succession planning, organisational development and culture-building, ensuring compliance with local labour laws and global standards while enhancing organisational effectiveness. You will manage two direct reports based in Dubai, and travel to Dubai will be required at least once a week. 

Operating with autonomy and influence at the most senior levels, you will bring advanced analytical skills to provide actionable insights and innovative solutions, and coach managers on retaining, developing and motivating their teams. As part of Burson and the wider WPP network, you will contribute to global projects and have access to a market-leading suite of tools, training and the WPP Learning hub to support your own growth and that of the wider team. Your work will foster an inclusive, high-performing workplace culture that supports our people to achieve their fullest potential.

What you'll do:

• Drive performance cycle governance across the group – goal setting, calibration, promotions and PIPs – ensuring processes are completed on time and to a consistent standard, coaching leaders on meaningful goals, fair calibration, promotion readiness and well-documented performance improvement plans
• Partner with leaders on restructuring, redeployment and transformation end-to-end – including role design, consultation planning, redeployment options and communications – ensuring changes protect client delivery, support talent retention and are executed with sensitivity, clarity and compliance
• Manage complex employee relations matters (conduct, grievance, absence, performance risk) and coach managers on fair, consistent process and documentation, building capability so issues are handled early and escalation and business disruption are reduced
• Use data insights – turnover, engagement and pay positioning – to analyse trends and root causes and recommend targeted interventions such as retention plans, engagement initiatives, manager coaching or compensation corrections, presented in a way that supports business decisions
• Turn engagement survey results into team-level action plans, tracking progress with leaders and ensuring transparent communications that build trust and improve sentiment across the markets
• Align learning and development to business need – identifying capability gaps and working with the People Director to prioritise programmes (leadership essentials, client servicing, innovation/AI skills) and drive uptake and impact, drawing on WPP tools, training and the Learning hub
• Ensure compliance, governance and audit readiness – full adherence to local labour law, SOX and global standards – with key decisions (PIPs, role changes, promotions, ER outcomes) documented to the required standard alongside the People Director and WPP legal partners
• Contribute to global and WPP-wide projects while coaching and mentoring junior members of the People Team, role-modelling best practice and fostering an inclusive, high-performing culture across the UAE, South Africa, Turkey and Egypt

Experience that contributes to success:

• Advanced understanding of HR principles, including talent management, organisational development, workforce planning and succession planning
• In-depth knowledge of employment law across the UAE, South Africa, Turkey and Egypt, and broader EMEA compliance requirements including SOX and GDPR, alongside global HR best practices
• Strong knowledge of compensation and benefits strategies, including benchmarking and pay positioning across regional and global contexts
• Proven ability to advise senior leaders on complex employee relations, restructuring and transformation, and performance improvement, with procedural fairness and sensitivity to regional and global nuances
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the credibility to partner with senior leadership across the UAE, South Africa, Turkey, Egypt, EMEA and global teams
• Skilled in analysing HR data – turnover, engagement and pay positioning – and translating insights into targeted, practical interventions
• Experience leading HR projects and change initiatives across markets, ensuring consistency and alignment with WPP-wide goals and standards
• A collaborative, inclusive and results-oriented leader who coaches junior colleagues and remains calm and composed under pressure

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You belong at Burson:

Our vision is for Burson to be the leading ‘academy company’ for creative communications professionals and emerging leaders. We provide a dynamic environment where ambitious colleagues come to elevate their skills, expand their networks, and ultimately, produce the best solutions for today’s leading brands. Our commitment to your growth is reflected in our robust benefits and people programs, which include professional development opportunities, mentorship programs with industry leaders, a vibrant and inclusive company culture fostering collaboration and innovation and packages designed to reward and retain top talent. We invest in our people because we believe their success is our success.

At Burson, we’re an agency of learn-it-alls. We recognize that the things we do best, creativity and communications, require a level of nuanced understanding. That’s why it’s imperative for us to hire extraordinarily talented people of all backgrounds and identities. Without that we can’t do the essential work of inspiring bold ideas, fostering constructive dialogue, cultivating meaningful experiences, and driving innovation and creativity for our partners. Your unique point of view—your talent—is what makes you a #BursonPerson, and it’s how we deliver exceptional results for our clients, together.

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 around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

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