Vice President, Human Resources

Company description

Arc is the leading creative engine within Publicis’s group of commerce agencies. In an era of unprecedented change, where shopping happens anywhere and everywhere, we believe that brands not present at the moment of desire will be resisted. Which is why everything we do is in service of creating Irresistible Commerce — breakthrough creative solutions fueled by data-driven insights. It’s a proven approach that’s earned us recognition as WARC’s #1 Specialty Retail Agency, along with accolades from Adweek, ANA Reggie Awards, and Effies. And we do it all in an irresistible culture that’s put Arc on the AdAge Best Places to Work list.

Overview

We’re looking for a Vice President/Director of Talent to shape the future of our agency by leading strategies that inspire, grow, and retain the industry’s best talent. This is your opportunity to influence culture, drive innovation in talent management, and align our people strategy with the bold vision of our business.

In this pivotal role, you’ll partner directly with agency leadership and our Digital Experience pillar to ensure every talent initiative reflects our values and positions us to win — for our people, our clients, and our future. You’ll bring both strategic insight and hands-on leadership to create an inclusive, high-performing workplace where creativity and collaboration thrive.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a hybrid role based out of our Chicago office and will require onsite engagement an average of 3 days/week. All candidates should be local to the Chicago metro and available to work in a hybrid capacity.

Responsibilities

• Set the vision: Design and implement long-term, forward-thinking talent strategies that position us as a destination for top creative and strategic minds.
• Lead the team: Inspire, mentor, and guide the Talent team to deliver best-in-class support, programs, and results.
• Enhance the employee experience: Oversee key initiatives including employee engagement programs, annual reviews, salary cycles, talent planning, performance coaching, and complex employee relations matters.
• Be a trusted partner: Advise agency leadership on all talent-related matters, from organizational design to policy interpretation.
• Drive compliance and mitigate risk: Partner with legal counsel to ensure our policies, practices, and employment decisions align with all applicable laws and regulations.
• Innovate processes: Identify opportunities to streamline, improve, and modernize talent operations to better serve our employees and business goals.
• Champion inclusion: Ensure every talent initiative supports a culture of belonging and reflects our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Represent the brand: Serve as the Talent Lead in cross-agency Digital Experience pillar HR/Talent leadership meetings.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of progressively-responsible experience in human resources, talent, people, or culture roles, preferably in a fast-paced, highly matrixed consulting or advertising agency environment.
• Proven success in M&A/change management environments.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to connect talent strategy to agency financial goals.
• Expertise in employment law, policy application, and risk mitigation.
• Demonstrated ability to coach leaders, manage complex employee relations issues, and foster positive workplace culture.
• Process-driven and data-informed, with the ability to interpret metrics and make decisions that drive results.
• Exceptional communication skills — confident presenting to executives and engaging employees at all levels.
• A leadership style rooted in empathy, service, and a commitment to developing others.

Additional information

The Power of One starts with our people! To do powerful things, we offer powerful resources. Our best-in-class wellness and benefits offerings include:

• Paid Family Care for parents and caregivers for 12 weeks or more
• Monetary assistance and support for Adoption, Surrogacy and Fertility
• Monetary assistance and support for pet adoption
• Employee Assistance Programs and Health/Wellness/Comfort reimbursements to help you invest in your future and work/life balance
• Tuition Assistance
• Paid time off that includes Flexible Time off Vacation, Annual Sick Days, Volunteer Days, Holiday and Identity days, and more
• Matching Gifts programs
• Flexible working arrangements
• ‘Work Your World’ Program encouraging employees to work from anywhere Publicis Groupe has an office for up to 6 weeks a year (based upon eligibility)
• Business Resource Groups that support multiple affinities and alliances

The benefits offerings listed are available to eligible U.S. Based employees, are reviewed on an annual basis, and are governed by the terms of the applicable plan documents.

Arc is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our employment decisions are made without regard to actual or perceived race, color, ethnicity, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability, medical condition as defined by applicable state law, genetic information, marital status, military service and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws and ordinances.

If you require accommodation or assistance with the application or onboarding process specifically, please contact USMSTACompliance@publicis.com. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Compensation Range: $136,490-$177,000 annually. This is the pay range the Company believes it will pay for this position at the time of this posting. Consistent with applicable law, compensation will be determined based on the skills, qualifications, and experience of the applicant along with the requirements of the position, and the Company reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time. Temporary roles may be eligible to participate in our freelancer/temporary employee medical plan through a third-party benefits administration system once certain criteria have been met. Temporary roles may also qualify for participation in our 401(k) plan after eligibility criteria have been met. For regular roles, the Company will offer medical coverage, dental, vision, disability, 401k, and paid time off. The Company anticipates the application deadline for this job posting will be September 15, 2025.