HR Business Partner

About the Role

Barrows is a commerce experience agency dedicated to building the world’s leading experiences for brands and retailers. We combine data-led strategy, creativity, and technology to engage and convert shoppers online and in-store. From shopper marketing to retail toolkits, display design, category management, and store design, we deliver end-to-end solutions that reimagine expectations. Backed by the scale and innovation of WPP and VML, our global team redefines the intersection of creativity and commerce.

The HR Business Partner will lead People Operations across Barrows North America, serving as the senior in-house HR practitioner and trusted advisor to employees, managers, and agency leadership. This role reports to the Head of Operations with a dotted-line to the CFO and collaborates closely with talent acquisition, agency leadership, and the broader VML & WPP teams.

Responsibilities

• Manage the end-to-end employee lifecycle, from offer acceptance and onboarding to employment changes and offboarding.
• Ensure compliance for all employment documentation, including I-9s, background checks, and HRIS record maintenance.
• Establish standardized service standards, checklists, and templates to scale People Operations processes.
• Administer employee benefit programs, managing enrollment, qualifying life events, and broker/vendor relationships.
• Lead leave administration (maternity, medical, disability), ensuring clear guidance on timelines and return-to-work requirements.
• Review benefit programs and policies for cost, compliance, and market competitiveness.
• Advise managers and employees on policies, performance expectations, and workplace concerns with sound judgment.
• Lead employee-relations reviews and sensitive employment actions, including PIPs and workplace investigations.
• Create clear communications regarding People initiatives and support engagement and retention efforts.
• Foster a consistent employee experience across all Barrows locations, client teams, and capabilities.
• Oversee performance and growth management, including feedback quality, career paths, and competency frameworks.
• Support talent reviews, succession planning, and workforce planning in partnership with talent acquisition.
• Act as the primary owner for employee data and HRIS administration, ensuring alignment with VML People Operations.
• Develop regular reporting on people metrics and identify opportunities to automate or simplify workflows.
• Maintain employee policies and handbooks, monitoring federal, state, and local compliance requirements.
• Partner with external counsel on complex matters and manage work-authorization and immigration processes.

Requirements

• Approximately 6+ years of progressive Human Resources or People Operations experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent experience.
• Broad experience across employee lifecycle management, benefits, leaves, employee relations, compliance, and performance management.
• Demonstrated ability to operate as an independent and trusted HR advisor to managers and senior leaders.
• Working knowledge of federal, state, and local employment requirements in a multi-state U.S. environment.
• Strong project-management and organizational skills, with exceptional attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, matrixed, and evolving organization.
• Demonstrated discretion and sound judgment when handling confidential information.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related discipline preferred.
• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification preferred.
• Experience supporting an advertising, creative, professional-services, or similarly project-based organization.
• Experience supporting approximately 100–300 employees.
• Ability to work in the office 3 days a week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday).

Pay

The salary range for this role is $75,000–$121,000. Exact compensation will be determined based on individual experience.

Benefits

• Unlimited PTO
• Medical, Dental, Vision (with an option for free medical care)
• 401K with a percentage match
• Various maternity/paternity leave options
• Fully funded disability and life insurance options
• Headspace subscription
• Wellness stipend
• Additional benefits available