HR Operations Manager

HR Operations ManagerLocation: Manchester (Hybrid working model)Salary: £50,000 - £58,000 + Benefits Package

Are you ready to help shape the future of HR in a thriving, tech-focused business? Are you a robust, hands-on HR leader who thrives on autonomy and impact? Our client is hiring its first-ever HR Operations Manager. This is a newly created role with real breadth, influence, and ownership—ideal for someone who relishes the opportunity to build, streamline, and lead from the ground up.

Our client is a leading technology business and seeking a proactive and experienced HR Operations Manager to take ownership of their HR operations and drive the people agenda forward. This is a newly created role—ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, evolving environment and wants to make their mark.

The role:

Reporting directly to the Head of People, you'll play a central role in strengthening their HR infrastructure and scaling best-in-class people practices across the business. You’ll lead and evolve all core HR operations, including payroll, employee engagement, recruitment, employee relations, compliance, and systems management—ensuring everything runs smoothly and strategically.

This is more than an operational role—it's a genuine opportunity to shape culture, enhance employee experience, and support strategic people initiatives across the organisation.

This is not a passive role—it’s for someone who takes initiative, solves problems fast, and gets things done with rigour and care. You’ll embed processes that work, unlock data that informs, and create experiences that engage.

Own all HR operations—overseeing everything from day-to-day policies and processes to annual cycles such as pay reviews and benefits renewals. Take full operational control of HR delivery, acting as the point of contact for day-to-day matters while driving consistency, accuracy, and effectiveness in our core people operations

Lead payroll and reward operations, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and alignment with legal requirements and internal standards. Lead monthly payroll processes and manage all benefits administration with absolute precision, confidentiality, and accountability

Employee Relations - Confidently handle ER cases, ensuring fair resolution, compliant processes, and excellent stakeholder communication. Support managers with practical, legally sound advice.

Champion employee engagement by designing and delivering initiatives that build connection, purpose, and positivity across our teams.

Support recruitment and onboarding, working with managers to deliver a slick and welcoming experience for all new hires and working with recruitment partners

Act as a trusted advisor on employee relations matters—supporting managers, navigating complex cases, and ensuring a fair and inclusive workplace.

Drive data and insights by managing HR systems and producing meaningful people metrics and reports to guide decision-making.

Process Improvement - Review, refine, and document all HR processes to ensure operational excellence as we scale..

Maintain compliance across HR practices, staying ahead of employment legislation and company policies.

Maintain a strong governance culture, keeping us fully compliant with employment law, audit requirements, and GDPR

Shape and implement compensation and benefits frameworks that are competitive, inclusive, and scalable.

The person:

Degree educated and ideally CIPD L7 qualified (or L5 and wanting to continue studying)

Experience in a HR operations role—ideally within a technology or business service environment, though other fast-paced settings will be considered.

Strong knowledge of UK employment law, payroll, benefits, recruitment and compliance.

Experience managing HR systems and reporting tools.

Experience of continuous improvement

Self-starter and incredibly proactive

Exceptional communication skills—you’re credible with stakeholders at all levels and skilled at simplifying complexity.

A natural collaborator and problem solver with a high level of integrity and discretion.

Passion for employee experience and a drive to deliver meaningful, human-centric HR initiatives.

Comfortable with ambiguity and proactive in implementing change in growing organisations.

This is your opportunity to step into a high-impact HR leadership role and help shape the future of people operations with our client.

Apply now and bring your voice to a company that’s building HR together please send your CV