Independent media agency Atomic 212° has welcomed experienced HR executive Jacinta Munro as head of people and culture, bringing more than 20 years’ experience in people and culture initiatives and ways of working to the agency.
Munro has joined Atomic 212° after a period of sustained growth and transformation at the agency, in a bid to ensure the business maintains and develops its internal people proposition during this time of change. This transformation has seen the agency grow in just a few short years to over 130 people across four offices nationally, with 30 key staff promoted internally to core leadership roles over the past two years alone – including Claire Fenner to managing partner and Rory Heffernan to national MD.
Heffernan said of Munro’s appointment: “We’ve always been a people-centric business. Our success has been driven by the talented people and teams that have grown with us and our clients. I’ve got so much pride in the talented, smart, fun people we have in the team. Keeping everyone connected is a huge priority, so it is critical to us that our culture continues, values are communicated clearly and respected by staff, and that every single person knows how valued they are.
“When you have a period of growth like we have, there are many new people arriving, new roles created and new offices opened. So it’s more important than ever to focus on our people-related programs to make sure they’re fit for purpose and that our team are always put first.
“Jacinta is the perfect person to champion Atomic 212° ‘s people proposition. She has decades of experience supporting businesses that are experiencing transformative growth and we were particularly interested in bringing a unique perspective, beyond our industry. Jac is a born motivator, she’s immediately likeable and great to have around. I’m very excited to see her in action – she will ensure that our values are front and centre and I am confident that she will take the agency from strength to strength.”
Meanwhile, Munro said of her new role: “I am both excited and delighted to be welcomed to Atomic 212° as their Head of People and Culture. After more than 20 years in supporting and leading the HR functions of well-loved Australian businesses and employers, I am thrilled to learn about a new industry and introduce contemporary people practices to a unique and dynamic business during a period of phenomenal growth.
“In the post-pandemic era, employers must have a considered approach and well-defined strategy that takes the Employee Value Proposition from good to great. Atomic 212° recognise how critical talent is to their ongoing success and have been committed to finding ways to influence human capital to drive and enable a competitive, agile and effective organisation. These initiatives include a bespoke development program that is designed to step-change self and other leadership across all levels of the organisation, in addition to reinventing the way we engage proactively with talent.
“My People Philosophy is that you can have a complex business that operates in a complex industry and environment, but good people practices need not have the same complexity – simply do the right thing, and everything else will fall into place.”
Munro said that she will focus on defining the formula to attract and retain great talent in a competitive market, as well as building compelling leadership learning frameworks that shape the industry leaders of the future.
She continued: “Atomic 212° is a warm, authentic, people-centric business that oozes passion and a strong brand identity. I am excited about the forward journey as Atomic 212° strives to lead the industry in workplace reinvention, and I am loving being immersed in all elements that make this great brand tick.”
Munro has previously held senior people and culture roles at Bulla Dairy Foods, Australian Clinical Labs, The Reject Shop and Target.
