People and Culture Manager

About Woods Bagot – Architecture for Worlds Ahead

We design places that meet the challenges and opportunities of our rapidly changing world. Our commitment to exploration, impact and community creates enduring, forward‑thinking outcomes, unlocking humanity’s highest potential. With a global design culture devoted to creativity, resilience, and purpose – we ensure every project contributes to our client’s vision, inspiring future generations.

Woods Bagot is part of the 7C Network. The 7C Network is an integrated network of design and architecture companies that provides “Total Place Design,” a holistic approach to creating transformative environments. It combines capabilities from its constituent brands – including Woods Bagot, ERA-co, Impact Futures, and Customs Bureau – to offer services in placemaking, sustainability, architecture and interior design, and luxury concepts.

About the Role

The People & Culture Manager partners with the North America business to key operational People & Culture support and strategic advice to the leadership across Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco. The role supports the alignment of people strategies, manages end to end people processes to align with business objectives, embeds global People & Culture initiatives within the region, and provides guidance to studio leadership on workforce, talent, and employee relations matters. The role is responsible for managing day-to-day People & Culture activities, implementing regional initiatives aligned with global frameworks, and supporting effective people management practices that enhance employee performance, engagement, and business outcomes.

Working as part of the Global People & Culture team, the role builds trusted and collaborative relationships with regional and global stakeholders and acts as a proactive People & Culture partner to the North America business. The role anticipates people needs, resolves issues and supports a consistent employee experience while effectively navigating local requirements, PEO arrangements and US benefits and retirement processes.

Key Responsibilities:

Regional People & Culture

• Partner with Studio Chairs and Studio Executive teams to develop and implement People & Culture plans aligned with 7C’s strategic and operational objectives.
• Support talent management activities across the employee lifecycle, including attraction, onboarding, engagement, development, succession planning, career development, retention, and offboarding.
• Coordinate the regional implementation of global People & Culture programs, including employee experience initiatives, engagement surveys, diversity and inclusion programs, and related activities.
• Maintain awareness of employment legislation, market trends, and industry practices, and provide advice and guidance to studio leaders.
• Analyse workforce trends and their impact on the business to support informed decision-making.
• Support effective business decisions through objective advice, challenge, and recommendations.
• Build strong, trusted relationships with Studio Chairs, Studio Executive teams, employees, and key internal and external stakeholders across North America.
• Take a proactive approach to identifying emerging people needs, risks, and opportunities, bringing practical solutions and recommendations to leaders.
• Manage the company’s PEO relationship and associated employment processes, working closely with the provider to resolve employee, payroll, benefits, and operational matters.
• Oversee and coordinate 401(k) administration and processes, including employee changes, contributions, compliance activities, annual processes, and liaison with plan providers and internal stakeholders.

Employee Relations

• Provide advice, guidance, and coaching to leaders on employee relations matters, including performance management, disciplinary matters, workplace issues, and applicable employment legislation.
• Manage employee concerns, grievances, complaints, and investigations in a professional and confidential manner.
• Identify and mitigate people-related risks and support compliant people management practices.

Performance, Pay and Promotion

• Lead the regional performance, pay, and promotion cycle, including performance reviews, promotion processes, salary reviews, and bonus administration.
• Manage out-of-cycle salary reviews, remuneration changes, and promotion processes as required.

Global People & Culture

• Support the development and implementation of people policies, programs, and initiatives aligned with legislative requirements and People & Culture best practice.
• Collaborate with the Global People & Culture team to develop initiatives that strengthen culture, employee experience, and organisational effectiveness.
• Promote and embed company values and behaviours through employee engagement initiatives and leadership support.

Workforce Planning and Reporting

• Partner with studio leadership and resourcing teams to support workforce planning and ensure appropriate capability and resource alignment.
• Prepare and analyse People & Culture metrics and reports, including headcount, workforce movements, trends analysis, and other business reporting requirements.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement and contribute to a high-performance culture across the region.
• Undertake additional regional People & Culture initiatives and activities as required.

About You

You’re a confident and approachable People and Culture professional who builds trusted relationships and partners effectively with people at all levels of the business. You bring strong coaching and influencing skills, communicate clearly, and establish credibility through your sound judgment, integrity, and professionalism. You handle sensitive matters with care and discretion, balancing the needs of our people with those of the business. Collaborative and proactive, you anticipate challenges, use data and insight to inform decisions, and take ownership of issues through to resolution. You’re comfortable balancing competing priorities in a fast-paced environment, bringing a practical, solutions-focused approach to your work. Resilient and adaptable, you navigate change with confidence and support others through it.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Degree qualification in Human Resources, Business, or a related discipline.
• Relevant People & Culture or Human Resources professional certification is desirable.
• Equivalent combination of education, training, and professional experience may be considered.
• Experience partnering with senior leaders and executive teams on People & Culture strategies and initiatives.
• Experience managing employee relations matters, performance management processes, and workplace investigations.
• Experience leading talent management, workforce planning, succession planning, and employee development initiatives.
• Experience implementing People & Culture programs and projects within a complex business environment.
• Strong understanding of employment legislation, People & Culture practices, and workforce trends.
• Experience interpreting workforce data and providing meaningful insights and recommendations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
• Experience working within and navigating a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) model in the United States, including managing provider relationships and associated employment processes.
• Practical experience administering and managing 401(k) processes and working with retirement plan providers.
• Strong knowledge of US employment practices, benefits administration, and compliance requirements.

Key Deliverables:

• Effective delivery of regional People & Culture strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Successful implementation of global People & Culture programs and initiatives within North America.
• Effective employee relations management and risk mitigation across the region.
• Timely delivery of performance, remuneration, promotion, and talent management processes.
• Accurate and insightful People & Culture reporting, workforce analytics, and business recommendations.
• Strong partnerships with studio leaders to support workforce planning, employee engagement, and business performance.
• Consistent application of People & Culture policies, practices, and company values across the region.

How to Apply

Applicants are required to submit a resume via our People and Culture Manager LinkedIn Job Post. Applications will be treated in the strictest confidence. We do not accept unsolicited resumes or names from agencies. All personal data collected by us will be kept confidential and only used for recruitment purposes.

Mandatory Requirement: It is an essential requirement that at the time of applying for this position, applicants must have the legal right to work in the United States.

7C – Total Place Design Network

7C is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, colour, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, disability, gender identity, gender expression, and Veteran status. At 7C, we are committed to creating an environment where difference is celebrated, valued and respected, practices are equitable, and our people feel like they belong. We accept that none of us is smarter than all of us. We believe building a diverse workforce is the foundation to creativity and innovative design – it is only by working together that we can realise the potential of our people, clients and communities around us. Through our inclusive leadership and our truly global studio network, you will find your voice and have the support and flexibility required to bring your whole self to work and build an exceptional career.