The Works hires Whybin\TBWA’s Cassie Sacks as first HR Director

Sacks will manage the agency’s talent, including recruitment, career planning, training, performance measurement and retention.

The Works is undergoing a period of growth with new business wins including Woolworths Everyday Rewards and an increase in the number of staff.

"It was the right time to employ a dedicated person who is responsible for the training, development and recruitment of staff as the agency continues its forward momentum," said Damian Pincus, creative partner and founder at The Works. "Talent is all an agency is based on, so it's important that we have the very best and motivated people working with us, which is where the HR director can play an important role."

Speaking of the new role, Sacks told Campaign Asia-Pacific she was attracted by The Works' significant growth and its belief in employing truly ambitious people.

"There is an opportunity to shape something from the ground up, rather than walking into an agency that already has existing HR procedures and policies in place — which is a great opportunity for me to stamp my mark," she said.

"My first priority will be to assess what exactly The Works needs in terms of HR and then start implementing those policies. In addition to managing the existing staff, a big part of my role will be the recruitment of even more people, and that has already started in earnest."

Talent is one of the biggest issues faced by the industry. "It is an agency's only real asset, so it's vital that we not only get the best, but keep them once we have them," Sacks said.

"There is a responsibility on both the agency's side and that those that work within it. It's very much a collaborative approach," she added. "There is no one answer that encapsulates the answer, but developing an agency culture where its staff feel valued and have the opportunity for advancement is the best way to ensure talent not only want to work at an agency, but also want to stay there."

Prior to the new role, Sacks managed HR for Whybin\TBWA from October 2010 to December 2012. She was looking after its Sydney and Melbourne operations, in addition to subsidiary agencies including Tequila/DAN, Integer and Eleven PR, where she implemented a cost-saving recruitment strategy.

Sacks also worked with universities to establish a graduate intern programme, as well as other HR initiatives. She is a member of the Communication Councils’ Gender Diversity Group and also established the HR Ring last year that sees HR professionals in the advertising industry meet to share ideas and best practice.