People & Culture Manager
Auckland, NZ | Full-Time | Creative Industry | HR Leadership
Make your mark in the world of VFX
We’re Cause and FX — a creative, fast-growing VFX studio working on major film and episodic projects for global clients. We’re looking for a People & Culture Manager whose equal parts strategist, coach, and doer — someone who thrives in a dynamic environment, builds trust fast, and knows how to grow great culture while keeping the business on track.
This is your chance to bring your HR expertise into a studio that values artistry, innovation, and people at the core.
About Us
Cause and FX is one of New Zealand’s leading independent VFX studios — known for our creative energy, tight-knit crew, and exceptional work. We’re driven by innovation, artistry, and a genuine care for the people behind the pixels. We’ve grown fast and we’re proud of the collaborative, curious, and kind culture we’ve built.
Now we’re looking for a People & Culture Manager to champion that culture, shape how we grow, and elevate every part of the people experience.
About the Role
As our People & Culture Manager, you’ll be the go-to HR expert — confident across the full people spectrum. You’ll partner closely with managers to lift leadership capability, coach for performance, and ensure our HR practices are compliant, people-centric, and future-focused.You’ll switch gears easily — from giving sharp, sound ER advice, to driving strategic recruitment based on our workforce plan, to ensuring development pathways are in place to grow our talented team.
You’ll masterfully manage the rhythm of the employee lifecycle using tools like HiBob, Workable, and 15Five — and you’ll bring our values to life, every day. Whether it’s shaping culture, supporting transitions, embedding new policies, or creating ‘day-one magic’, this role is hands-on, heart-forward, and high-impact.
(Applications for this role will be reviewed w/c 21 April 2025)
Requirements
What You’ll Own
This role spans the full people lifecycle — from strategic input to hands-on delivery. You’ll be embedded in the business, trusted by leaders, and central to our growth. Key responsibilities include:
- Coach and support managers to lead high-performing, values-aligned teams
- Provide expert ER advice and ensure compliance with NZ legislation and the Screen Industry Workers Act
- Lead recruitment aligned to the workforce plan, using tools like Workable and HiBob
- Drive onboarding experiences that are slick, welcoming, and memorable
- Oversee offboarding with care, collecting feedback to improve the employee journey
- Run performance and development processes that keep our people growing
- Champion culture and engagement, bringing energy and consistency to team rituals and recognition
- Maintain accurate records and people data across HiBob, 15Five, and other platforms
- Keep contracts, policies, and frameworks current and fit for purpose
- Partner with Finance on payroll changes, entitlements, and cross-Tasman needs
You’ll shape the future of how we work, grow, and connect — every day.
You’ll thrive in this role if you…- Bring 4+ years of broad HR experience, ideally in a fast-paced, creative or tech environment
- Are confident navigating all things people — from ER to performance to policy
- Can juggle priorities, work independently, and move between strategic and tactical with ease
- Communicate clearly, build trust fast, and solve problems without fuss
- Are detail-savvy and systems-fluent (or keen to master tools like HiBob, Workable, and 15Five)
- Love partnering with leaders to grow capability, lift culture, and get the best from their teams
Benefits
We’re a studio that genuinely cares about people. Whether you’re onsite or remote, we work hard to make you feel part of the crew. You’ll find a culture that balances creativity and connection — where collaboration is natural, recognition is frequent, and fun is built into the rhythm of the week.
From quizzes and Fromage Fridays to team lunches and studio celebrations, we create moments that matter. Coffee, smoothies, foosball and ping pong? Absolutely. But it’s the people that make it special.
Ready to Apply?
If you're ready to bring your HR expertise into a creative, fast-moving environment, we’d love to hear from you. Whether you're from the screen industry or looking to break into it, this is your chance to help shape the future of People & Culture at Cause and FX.
Apply now and let’s talk.
“Home to a diverse and talented family of creators who excel through collaboration. Our integrity, fairness, and authentic expression make us trusted members of our community. The collective impact of our past, present, and future crew members shapes our growth.We are defined by our people”.