HR manager / HR director

For our client, a global full-service marketing and communications agency, we are looking for an HR Manager/HR Director to rebuild and modernize the HR function in Russia.

This is a high-impact leadership role with direct reporting to the expat CEO and CFO and close partnership with the local leadership team. The HR Manager/Director will play a critical role in restoring structure, clarity, and trust across the organization while building scalable, transparent HR practices aligned with international agency standards.

The role is designed for a hands-on HR leader with strong advertising agency experience, capable of operating in a fast-paced, creative, and commercially driven environment.

This is not a support role — it is a business-critical transformation role.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Organizational Rebuild & Transformation

• Lead the end-to-end rebuild of the HR function in Russia, ensuring compliance, structure, and transparency.

• Redesign organizational structures, role architecture, and reporting lines in line with business strategy and growth priorities.

• Establish clear governance, accountability, and decision-making frameworks across teams.

• Drive change management initiatives and support leadership through transformation periods.

Talent Acquisition & Retention

• Design and implement a structured and scalable talent acquisition strategy tailored to a full-service advertising agency environment.

• Build effective recruitment channels for creative, digital, media, and account roles.

• Develop retention and engagement initiatives to reduce attrition and secure critical talent.

• Partner closely with business leaders on workforce planning, succession, and capability needs.

Performance Management & Culture

• Develop and implement performance management frameworks, including goal setting, annual reviews, and development planning.

• Embed a culture of ownership, accountability, and performance excellence while respecting the creative nature of the business.

• Support leaders in managing performance, underperformance, development plans, and internal mobility.

• Contribute to rebuilding trust and strengthening leadership effectiveness across teams.

Compensation, Benefits & HR Policies

• Build fair, competitive, and transparent compensation frameworks aligned with agency market benchmarks and global standards.

• Review, update, and implement HR policies, including employee handbook, attendance rules, grievance, and disciplinary procedures.

• Ensure consistency, fairness, and compliance across all HR practices.

Leadership Partnership & HR Operations

• Act as a trusted advisor to the CEO, and leadership team on people strategy and organizational decisions.

• Provide data-driven insights through HR metrics, dashboards, and reporting (headcount, attrition, hiring, performance).

• Ensure HR operations support business priorities and leadership decision-making.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Must Have

• 5+ years of senior HR leadership experience, with a strong track record in organizational transformation, restructuring, or turnaround environments.

• Direct experience working in advertising or integrated marketing agencies (full-service agency experience is critical).

• Deep understanding of agency-specific workflows, project-based delivery models, and creative/digital talent dynamics.

• Proven expertise in talent acquisition, performance management, and compensation design within agency environments.

• Strong stakeholder management skills and ability to partner with senior leadership.

• Fluency in Russian and strong professional English (direct interaction with expat CEO and international stakeholders).

Nice to Have

• Experience leading HR transformation in complex or fast-changing organizations.

• Hands-on experience with digital HR tools and people analytics.

• Strong knowledge of the Russian talent market for creative, digital, and media professionals.

• Experience forecasting workforce needs and managing attrition risks through analytics and proactive planning.