About the Role
We are seeking an experienced Interim HR Operations Manager to provide immediate leadership, stability, and operational excellence across the HR Operations function of a large, complex organisation currently undergoing transformation.
The role will lead and develop the HR Operations team, introduce robust service standards and performance reporting, and deliver improvements aligned with transformation, audit, and service review recommendations. The successful candidate will also be instrumental in embedding technological enhancements, including the exploration of AI, and restoring stakeholder confidence in HR Operations.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & People Management
* Lead, support, and develop the HR Team Leader and their team to ensure capability, accountability, and high-quality service delivery.
* Integrate Assistant HR Business Partners into the HR Shared Service Centre model.
* Provide visible, inclusive, and values-based leadership.
Operational Excellence & Service Standards
* Establish and implement clear KPIs and SLAs for HR Operations.
* Communicate service standards transparently to stakeholders.
* Deliver consistent, timely, and customer-focused HR operational support across the employee lifecycle.
Data, Insights & Reporting
* Strengthen HR data integrity, reporting, and analytics to support operational and strategic decision-making.
* Partner with HR Data & Insights teams to deliver effective performance reporting, demand management, and workload allocation.
Improvement & Transformation
* Own and deliver the HR Operations improvement plan, ensuring recommendations from transformation and audit reviews are implemented.
* Refine HR templates, procedures, and systems to improve efficiency, compliance, and scalability.
* Explore opportunities for AI and other digital tools to enhance efficiency and enrich job roles.
* Undertake workforce resource and capacity analysis, making evidence-based recommendations.
Stakeholder Engagement & Reassurance
* Lead engagement initiatives to restore stakeholder confidence in HR Operations.
* Build strong working relationships with managers, staff, trade unions, and leadership teams.
* Ensure HR services are trusted, transparent, and aligned with organisational needs.
Ideal Candidate Profile
Essential Skills & Experience
* Significant leadership experience in HR Operations or HR Shared Services within a large or complex organisation.
* Strong track record of leading HR teams, embedding service standards, and driving measurable performance improvements.
* Demonstrable experience of transformation and process improvement in HR Operations, ideally in a unionised environment.
* Skilled in HR data quality management, reporting, and analytics.
* Proven ability to undertake workforce capacity planning and resource analysis.
* Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to reassure and influence at all levels.
* Understanding of compliance, audit, and governance requirements in HR operations.
* Awareness of emerging digital solutions and ethical AI applications in HR.
Desirable
* Previous experience of HR service redesign during organisational transformation.
* Knowledge of best practice in digital HR Operations.
Pre-Employment Requirements
* Proof of Right to Work in the UK.
* Satisfactory employment references.
Why Join?
* Lead an HR Operations service at the centre of organisational transformation.
* Opportunity to embed innovation, technology, and best practice in HR delivery.
* Play a key role in building stakeholder trust and service excellence.
How to Apply
If you are a proven HR leader with the ability to deliver results at pace, click 'Apply Now' on this job advert
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Reference ID: OR14491
Job Types: Full-time, Temporary, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 21 weeks
Pay: £45.00 per hour
Expected hours: 37 per week