Chief of Staff to SVP People (m/f/d)

Bauer Media Group

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Chief of Staff combines strategic thinking with hands-on execution and acts as a trusted sparring partner to the SVP People. The role serves as a central connector across the organisation, driving alignment, governance, and delivery of key People priorities while enabling leadership focus on the highest-impact areas. Success in this position requires intellectual curiosity, sound judgement, a strong delivery mindset, and the willingness to move seamlessly between shaping strategic initiatives and solving day-to-day operational challenges. This role offers a unique opportunity to work at the heart of the People agenda, partnering closely with the SVP People on some of the organisation's most strategic priorities.

Requirements

Mandatory requirement of high level of discretion and confidentiality
Excellent judgement and ability to navigate complex and sensitive situations
Very analytical and data-oriented working style
Ability to translate ideas into execution
Proactive, hands-on and results-oriented working style
Anticipates needs and opportunities rather than waiting for direction
Strong ownership mentality and willingness to go beyond formal responsibilities when needed
Comfortable operating with limited guidance and high levels of ambiguity
Excellent interpersonal, communication and stakeholder management skills
Ability to simplify complexity
Collaborative working style
Negotiation skills
Intercultural competencies
Ability to influence and challenge constructively
Ability to motivate team members and lead to results in a virtual international environment
Significant experience in large international, decentralised organisations, ideally with exposure to senior leadership and complex organizational settings.
Operational HR experience is highly beneficial but not essential. Candidates from other backgrounds should demonstrate willingness to rapidly build expertise in People-related matters.
Fluent English verbal and written communication skills.
Project and Programme management skills.
Strong attention to detail without losing sight of the bigger picture.
Organisational and time-management skills.
Exceptional written communication and presentation skills, with the ability to translate complex topics into clear and compelling narratives.
Advanced proficiency in PowerPoint, Excel and collaboration tools such as Monday.com.
A university degree in Business Administration, Law, Finance or related fields.

Nice To Haves

Fluent German is a highly beneficial but not essential.
(Commercial) experience outside of the People function is a plus.
Work experience abroad is a plus.

Responsibilities

Act as thought partner to the SVP People, challenging ideas constructively, identifying risks and opportunities, and helping shape decision-making on key People and business topics.
Shape and maintain the key priorities, translating ambition into clear, actionable plans.
Anticipate issues before they arise, proactively removing obstacles and ensuring momentum on critical People priorities.
Act as the central point of contact and connector between the People function and other functions and decision bodies across the group.
Own the planning, coordination and delivery of leadership interactions and team formats, including agenda-setting, preparation of high-quality pre-reads, stakeholder alignment and follow-up tracking.
Lead the People budget planning, including regular tracking, projections and forecasts, in close collaboration with FP&A.
Steer internal People communications, including Town Halls and key function-wide updates, in close collaboration with Corporate Communications.
Represent the People function in selected cross-functional forums and governance bodies.
Develop and deliver high-quality presentations, decision papers, analyses and executive materials for senior audiences.
Establish and maintain robust governance frameworks and tools (e.g. Monday.com, SharePoint, Teams channels) to enable transparency, coordination, and execution discipline.
Balance strategic responsibilities with operational execution, recognising that exceptional outcomes often require attention to both high-level priorities and practical details.
Lead selected initiatives and projects where it adds value to business priorities and personal development.
Build strong working relationships across the People function and the wider group to enable alignment and execution.