Business Management Lead

Government Recruitment Service; Hastings; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency in the UK is seeking an HR Business Operations Manager to lead HR projects and provide expert financial insights. The role involves managing HR resources, ensuring operational excellence, and collaborating closely with senior leaders. Ideal candidates will possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and proficiency in Excel and Power BI. This position offers opportunities for growth and a supportive work environment, including a generous pension contribution and flexible working options.

Benefits

Employer pension contribution of 28.97%

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Experience leading HR projects and managing teams.
• Strong ability to provide financial insights and strategic advice.
• Proactive approach in solving problems and improving processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate HR projects ensuring effective delivery.
• Provide financial reporting to support decision-making.
• Manage budgets and resources in collaboration with finance.
• Ensure compliance with governance requirements.
• Advise senior leaders on financial risks and staffing.

Skills

Data analysis

Problem solving

Financial insights

Project management

Relationship management

Tools

Excel

Power BI

Job description

We’re looking for a proactive and strategic HR Business Operations Manager to join our team at the Department for Transport (DfT). This role is central to ensuring our HR function runs smoothly and efficiently, supporting everything from financial planning and governance to workforce management and service improvement.

You’ll report to the Head of HR Business Management and lead a small team focused on delivering high-quality business support across HR. You’ll work closely with senior leaders and corporate service teams, providing expert advice on budgets, resources, and operational processes.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who enjoys working with data, solving problems, and driving improvements in a fast‑paced environment.

The role is diverse, giving you the opportunity to develop a wide range of skills. Anyone coming into this role can expect to be in a fast‑changing environment and be a self‑starter who is able to work with autonomy.

Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays a privilege day for the King’s birthday
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work‑life balance.

Read more in the Benefits section below and find out more about what it's like working at DfTc: Department for Transport Central - Department for Transport Careers

Your responsibilities will include, but aren’t limited to:

• Lead and coordinate HR projects and commissions, ensuring timely and effective delivery, including business planning processes. Provide scrutiny and challenge to SLT as required.
• Provide financial insights and reporting using Excel and Power BI to support decision‑making.
• Manage budgets and resource planning in collaboration with finance and hold a strong relationship with the Commercial team as Contract Owner of several HR contracts.
• Ensure compliance with governance and audit requirements, including responding to official requests (e.g. Freedom of Information).
• Support workforce planning and forecasting, including monitoring HR data quality and risks.
• Advise senior HR leaders on financial risks and long‑term planning for staffing and budgets.
• Build strong relationships across HR to improve business management practices and provide training where needed.
• Maintain a central register of HR staff with additional responsibilities (e.g. IT, security, budget holders).
• Overseeing the corporate support functions including Security Liaison Officers and Local Information Management.
• Lead and own the Business Continuity Planning cycle, including annual testing.
• Oversee the delivery of the annual Management Assurance process, ensuring agreed actions are reviewed to completion.
• Lead and support a small team, promoting continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Great line management is important to us as an organisation, and we will equip and support line managers to develop the skills they need. We aim to empower line managers to create teams where people can flourish and deliver excellent outcomes for the public.