People Operations Manager
We’re one of the UK’s leading providers of mental health services, working both privately and in partnership with the NHS to support people and families facing emotional and psychological difficulties. Demand for mental health support has never been higher and we’re scaling fast to meet it. As we grow, we’re building a brilliant, data driven, passionate team to help us deliver high-quality care to even more patients. Come and join us!
The People Operations Manager is responsible for leading and managing the day-to-day delivery of People Operations across Clinical Partners. This includes ensuring high-quality onboarding, lifecycle activity, payroll preparation, and compliance monitoring across both the employed workforce and our large self-employed clinician population operating in a CQC-regulated environment.
Key Responsibilities
Operational Leadership & Workflow Management
* Lead day-to-day operations across the employed and clinician People Ops streams.
* Oversee onboarding, right-to-work and compliance checks, lifecycle activity, contractual changes, leavers, and payroll preparation.
* Ensure workloads are balanced, achievable and adaptable to high-volume recruitment or sudden business demand changes.
* Monitor daily activity, identify bottlenecks, and resolve operational risks or issues promptly.
* Maintain consistently high service standards across all streams.
Partnership with TA, People Partners & Wider Teams
* Work closely with Talent Acquisition to understand recruitment flow, volume expectations and onboarding surges.
* Ensure the Ops team is prepared for demand peaks and able to meet rapid turnaround times.
* Collaborate with People Partners and line managers to set expectations around onboarding, compliance, approvals and timely data submission.
* Identify opportunities to streamline end-to-end processes from offer stage through onboarding and compliance.
Compliance, Quality & Regulatory Oversight
* Oversee compliance processes for both employed staff and self-employed clinicians, ensuring all checks meet CQC and internal standards.
* Ensure credentially and other compliance systems are used consistently and accurately.
* Monitor dashboards, highlight risks and drive timely resolution.
* Ensure adherence to GDPR, data protection, safeguarding and employment legislation.
* Oversee internal audits and ensure corrective actions are implemented.
Payroll Oversight
* Oversee the monthly payroll cycle managed by the People Operations & Payroll Advisor.
* Ensure payroll inputs are accurate and submitted on time, and that outputs are reviewed, reconciled and escalated where needed.
* Identify recurring errors or trends and address root causes operationally.
* Build a strong working relationship with the managed payroll provider and maintain clear shared responsibilities.
* Ensure payroll processes and documentation are maintained and embedded.
* Provide backup payroll support by coordinating with the Managed Service team to ensure timely and accurate payroll processing during periods of absence (e.g., when the Payroll and People Operations Advisor is on leave), maintaining continuity and compliance with all relevant policies and deadlines.
Embedding System & Process Improvements
* Partner with the Data & Transformation Manager and People Systems Manager to operationalise new processes, workflows and HR system enhancements (HiBob, Salesforce).
* Ensure the team is trained, supported, and confident in adopting improved processes and new modules such as Talent and Workforce Planning.
* Provide operational insight to shape future transformation initiatives.
* Promote continuous improvement and standardisation across all People Ops processes.
Team Leadership & Development
* Provide strong people management to direct reports, ensuring clarity of expectations and objectives.
* Build capability across the team through coaching, training and cross-skilling.
* Foster a positive, resilient, solutions-focused team culture.
* Address performance concerns proactively and fairly.
* Develop the team so they can flex to changing business needs and future organisational growth.
Preparing the Function for Future Growth
* Ensure People Operations processes are scalable, consistent and future-ready for organisational growth, acquisitions or structural changes.
* Review and adjust team capacity, roles and workflows as the organisation evolves.
* Lead the team through change with clarity and stability.
Skills & Abilities
* Strong operational leadership with the ability to create clarity and consistency.
* Highly adaptable, resilient and calm during periods of high demand.
* Excellent organisation and prioritisation skills.
* Strong communication and influencing abilities.
* Analytical approach to problem-solving and root cause identification.
* Ability to coach, develop and motivate a team.
* Positive, pragmatic, solution-focused mindset.
Essential Qualifications & Experience
* Extensive experience in HR/People Operations or a comparable operational environment.
* Experience managing teams in a busy, fast-paced or high-volume setting.
* Strong understanding of onboarding, compliance and HR lifecycle processes.
* Experience overseeing payroll input/output processes.
* Experience working in a regulated or compliance-driven environment.
* Experienced using HRIS platforms.
Remuneration & Benefits
* 25 days paid holiday (increasing with service to 28 days) plus bank holidays.
* A day off for your birthday.
* Healthcare Cash Plan.
* Benefits Platform.
* Life Assurance.
* Discount Vouchers.
* Opportunities to take part in charitable events.
* Access to a Wellbeing portal and Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
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Equal Opportunities Employer
At Clinical Partners we are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace. We believe that everyone deserves an equal opportunity to succeed, regardless of their background, race, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates and strive to provide a supportive and respectful environment for all employees.
DBS Check Requirements
Please note that this position requires a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check as part of our commitment to safeguarding and ensuring the safety of our clients and staff. The successful candidate will be required to undergo a DBS check before commencing employment.