The Organisation

We are working with a local authority that is committed to delivering high-quality services for residents while creating a positive and inclusive working environment for colleagues. As part of its People and Organisational Development function, the Council is investing in the future of its HR service to ensure it is efficient, customer-focused, data-driven and equipped to support a modern, evolving organisation.

The Council is seeking an experienced HR Operations Manager to lead its Colleague Experience Centre and play a key role in shaping the future of HR service delivery across the organisation.

The Role

This is a pivotal leadership role responsible for leading and developing the HR Operations function, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, compliant and customer-focused HR services across the full employee lifecycle.

Reporting into the senior HR leadership team, the successful candidate will oversee a broad range of services, including employee relations, recruitment and resourcing, learning and development, HR administration and operational support. They will be responsible for ensuring service excellence while driving continuous improvement across people, processes, systems and performance.

This is not a role focused solely on maintaining current services. The successful candidate will be expected to assess current performance, identify opportunities for improvement and implement lasting change that strengthens capability, accountability and customer experience.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading and developing a high-performing HR Operations team.
• Driving service performance through effective use of KPIs, SLAs, management information and customer insight.
• Improving operational efficiency, service quality and colleague experience.
• Strengthening governance, compliance and risk management across HR processes.
• Reviewing and simplifying ways of working to remove inefficiencies and improve outcomes.
• Leveraging technology, systems and automation to enhance service delivery.
• Building organisational capability through coaching, development and performance management.
• Supporting wider organisational transformation and people priorities across the Council.

The Successful Candidate

The Council is seeking an experienced HR leader who combines strong operational expertise with a passion for continuous improvement and people development.

The successful candidate will bring:

• Significant experience leading HR Operations, HR Shared Services, Employee Experience or People Operations functions.
• Broad knowledge across core HR disciplines, including employee relations, recruitment, workforce administration and learning and development.
• A proven track record of improving service performance through KPIs, SLAs, data analysis and operational insight.
• Experience strengthening governance, compliance, controls and service standards.
• Strong people leadership skills, with the ability to motivate teams, develop capability and effectively manage performance.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, using evidence and insight to drive decision-making.
• Experience leading change, improving processes and constructively challenging established practices.
• The resilience and credibility to operate effectively in a complex and evolving organisation.

Most importantly, they will be a visible and supportive leader who can balance accountability with empathy, bringing colleagues with them while delivering meaningful and sustainable improvements.

What's on Offer

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to:

• Lead a critical HR Operations function at a time of change and improvement.
• Shape the future direction of HR service delivery across the Council.
• Drive operational excellence through data, technology and continuous improvement.
• Develop and strengthen the capability of an established HR team.
• Influence wider organisational and workforce initiatives.
• Work within a values-led organisation that prioritises learning, collaboration and colleague experience.
• Salary up to £56,000 per annum
• Hybrid working, 2 days per week on site