Job summary HR Services Manager Department: HR Services Band 6 Hours: 37.5 per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working About the role Are you an experienced HR professional who thrives on leading teams, improving services, and making a real impact? Do you enjoy combining people leadership, HR operations, and digital transformation? If so, we'd love to hear from you. We are looking for a dynamic and forward-thinking HR Services Manager to lead our HR Services function. Reporting to the Head of HR Services & Systems, you will manage a team delivering HR Services across: Payroll (including staff benefits) Temporary Staffing General HR queries What you'll be doing Leading and developing a multi-disciplinary HR Services team? Ensuring consistent, timely and accurate delivery of payroll and HR services? Driving service improvement, innovation, and digital transformation? Overseeing outsourced payroll arrangements and system assurance? Providing senior-level advice and support on complex HR and payroll issues? Strengthening governance, KPIs, SOPs and audit processes? Working closely with Finance, HR Systems, ESR teams and senior leaders? Designing and delivering training to managers and staff to build capability? Using workforce data to identify trends, risks, efficiencies and savings Interview date: 12 June 2026 We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role Main duties of the job We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute "NHS Survey, 2024'' They feel supported in their employers making reasonable adjustments to help them carry out their work, rating an 82.9% This is a high-profile, operational leadership role where you will influence how HR Services are delivered across the Trust, drive continuous improvement, and help shape the future of HR Services. Who we're looking for We're looking for someone who brings: Proven experience managing HR services, payroll and/or shared services functions Strong people leadership and service management skills In-depth knowledge of NHS payroll, ESR and temporary staffing Confidence working with senior stakeholders across HR, Finance and Operations A passion for continuous improvement, system optimisation and change Excellent communication skills and the ability to simplify complex processes You'll be someone who enjoys accountability, takes ownership, and brings energy and ideas to how services are delivered. About us Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting-edge research and education. With a "Good" rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career. As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities. We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state-of-the-art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre. Further investment is underway, including the construction of Oak Wards - a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards - and the recently approved Women and Children's Centre, set to open by 2030. Visit our website to explore the latest news and opportunities at MKUH - News - Milton Keynes University Hospital - For further information about Milton Keynes please visit - Visit Milton Keynes Job description Job responsibilities Communication Communicates by email, phone and face to face. Communicates with HR team members, payroll staff, finance staff, Trust staff at all levels and third party suppliers. Communicates complex processes and HR policy interpretation when training on data entry and system usage processes. Analytical and Judgemental Skills/ Freedom to Act Most work is carried out within set procedures. However, some work is new and so will require the post holder to identify new process (with manager assistance). Problem solving skills are required on a day to day basis as the post holder may have to make decisions where the facts are not straightforward and there is conflicting information most likely to occur when assisting helpdesk callers and the HR Services Supervisor and or other team members. Planning and Organisational Skills Plans and prioritises team workloads. Plans and prioritises own day to day workload. Plans and prioritises medium to long term workload. Regular discussion with Line Manager relating to workload and task prioritisation. Post holder may be required to plan and administer short to mediuim term project groups/committees. Physical Skills Daily use of keyboard / computer Advanced keyboard skills required Combination of sitting, standing and walking Responsibility for Patients/Clients Responsibility for patients/clients is incidental. Policy and Service Responsibilities Responsible for the development and redesign of standard operating procedures for the HR Services Team in response to legislative and best practice changes. When required, amend and update relevant policies for the Trust and ensure that this is adhered to consistently in line with legal and best practice guidance. Responsibility for Information Lead in the maintenance and usage of HR Systems including: Interrogating HR Systems (ESR) to access data as required. Reviewing HR Systems (ESR) data to ensure it is accurate and robust. Identifying data anomalies during and instigate corrective action as necessary. Please refer to the job description for further details. Job description Job responsibilities Communication Communicates by email, phone and face to face. Communicates with HR team members, payroll staff, finance staff, Trust staff at all levels and third party suppliers. Communicates complex processes and HR policy interpretation when training on data entry and system usage processes. Analytical and Judgemental Skills/ Freedom to Act Most work is carried out within set procedures. However, some work is new and so will require the post holder to identify new process (with manager assistance). Problem solving skills are required on a day to day basis as the post holder may have to make decisions where the facts are not straightforward and there is conflicting information most likely to occur when assisting helpdesk callers and the HR Services Supervisor and or other team members. Planning and Organisational Skills Plans and prioritises team workloads. Plans and prioritises own day to day workload. Plans and prioritises medium to long term workload. Regular discussion with Line Manager relating to workload and task prioritisation. Post holder may be required to plan and administer short to mediuim term project groups/committees. Physical Skills Daily use of keyboard / computer Advanced keyboard skills required Combination of sitting, standing and walking Responsibility for Patients/Clients Responsibility for patients/clients is incidental. Policy and Service Responsibilities Responsible for the development and redesign of standard operating procedures for the HR Services Team in response to legislative and best practice changes. When required, amend and update relevant policies for the Trust and ensure that this is adhered to consistently in line with legal and best practice guidance. Responsibility for Information Lead in the maintenance and usage of HR Systems including: Interrogating HR Systems (ESR) to access data as required. Reviewing HR Systems (ESR) data to ensure it is accurate and robust. Identifying data anomalies during and instigate corrective action as necessary. Please refer to the job description for further details. Person Specification Qualifications Essential Management qualification or equivalent on the job experience. Qualified to degree level or relevant business studies qualification or equivalent on the job experience. ESR, Oracle or e-Rostering training or equivalent certified or on job training. PRINCE2 or similar project management qualification. Experience Essential Experience of Managing a team Experience of Managing a helpdesk function. Experience of managing a team in a service environment delivering to KPIs Experience of following and updating standard operating processes. Experience and understanding of change management, information management and technology issues within the healthcare environment. Significant experience of working with HR & Payroll systems. Experience of delivering presentations to small groups (1-20). Experience of NHS payroll processes. Experience of Temporary staffing proceeses. Experience of process mapping/business analysis. Experience of drafting user guides/training materials. Significant experience of delivering ESR (or similar system) training. Experience of project administration. Knowledge and Skills Essential Advanced knowledge of Electronic Staff Records in the NHS Knowledge of range of administrative processes and procedures. Knowledge of range of management processes and procedures. Knowledge of NHS HR policies and procedures for team management. Knowledge of techniques for planning, monitoring and controlling projects. Must be able to demonstrate ability to work in a team environment. Ability to produce good quality and reliable information in a timely manner. Knowledge of Human Resources, Payroll and Staffing. Excellent computer skills, (especially Microsoft Office Suite - Word, Excel, Access, Publisher, Project, Visio) with the ability to master new applications. Excellent attention to detail. Good organisational skills, and the ability to identify priorities. Possess excellent written and oral communications skills. Good problem solving skills. Ability to handle issues and resolve problems. Must be able to produce reports in a clear and concise manner. Excellent presentation skills. Ability to communicate complex IT issues with all levels of the organisation from the Executive Board through the staff on the ground. Communication Essential Excellent communication skills. Effective communication skills. Personal and people development Essential Ability to work to and meet deadlines. Proven ability to manage a team. Ability to work flexibly and prioritise own workload. Ability to work flexibly and prioritise workload of others. Able to work effectively on own initiative and as part of a team Ability to follow instructions to complete a task and ask for extra guidance if unsure. Willingness to learn Demonstrate a track record of delivering on target. Self motivated & enthusiastic person. Specific requirements Essential Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations. Ability to travel independently as and when required to fulfil the role. Able to attend conferences and meetings as and when required. Independent means of travel. Person Specification Qualifications Essential Management qualification or equivalent on the job experience. Qualified to degree level or relevant business studies qualification or equivalent on the job experience. ESR, Oracle or e-Rostering training or equivalent certified or on job training. PRINCE2 or similar project management qualification. Experience Essential Experience of Managing a team Experience of Managing a helpdesk function. Experience of managing a team in a service environment delivering to KPIs Experience of following and updating standard operating processes. Experience and understanding of change management, information management and technology issues within the healthcare environment. Significant experience of working with HR & Payroll systems. Experience of delivering presentations to small groups (1-20). Experience of NHS payroll processes. Experience of Temporary staffing proceeses. Experience of process mapping/business analysis. Experience of drafting user guides/training materials. Significant experience of delivering ESR (or similar system) training. Experience of project administration. Knowledge and Skills Essential Advanced knowledge of Electronic Staff Records in the NHS Knowledge of range of administrative processes and procedures. Knowledge of range of management processes and procedures. Knowledge of NHS HR policies and procedures for team management. Knowledge of techniques for planning, monitoring and controlling projects. Must be able to demonstrate ability to work in a team environment. Ability to produce good quality and reliable information in a timely manner. Knowledge of Human Resources, Payroll and Staffing. Excellent computer skills, (especially Microsoft Office Suite - Word, Excel, Access, Publisher, Project, Visio) with the ability to master new applications. Excellent attention to detail. Good organisational skills, and the ability to identify priorities. Possess excellent written and oral communications skills. Good problem solving skills. Ability to handle issues and resolve problems. Must be able to produce reports in a clear and concise manner. Excellent presentation skills. Ability to communicate complex IT issues with all levels of the organisation from the Executive Board through the staff on the ground. Communication Essential Excellent communication skills. Effective communication skills. Personal and people development Essential Ability to work to and meet deadlines. Proven ability to manage a team. Ability to work flexibly and prioritise own workload. Ability to work flexibly and prioritise workload of others. Able to work effectively on own initiative and as part of a team Ability to follow instructions to complete a task and ask for extra guidance if unsure. Willingness to learn Demonstrate a track record of delivering on target. Self motivated & enthusiastic person. Specific requirements Essential Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations. Ability to travel independently as and when required to fulfil the role. Able to attend conferences and meetings as and when required. Independent means of travel. Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Employer details Employer name Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Address HR Services (Dept) Milton Keynes MK6 5LD United Kingdom Employer's website