Head of HR Operations

Red Personnel; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious college in Central London is seeking a Head of HR Operations to lead the HR function. This senior position involves overseeing recruitment, payroll, and employee relations while ensuring compliance with UK employment law. The ideal candidate will possess significant HR experience, strong leadership capabilities, and a proactive approach. This hybrid role offers a dynamic work environment with the opportunity to influence and enhance HR practices.

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing HR operations at a senior level.
• Full Chartered Membership of the CIPD.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law.
• Experience leading high-performing HR teams.
• Ability to manage complex employee relations cases.

Responsibilities

• Lead the HR operational function, including recruitment and payroll.
• Deputise for the Director of HR as required.
• Line-manage HR staff and ensure their development.
• Support the modernization of HR management practices.
• Maintain HR systems and processes for recruitment strategy.

Skills

Managing HR operations

CIPD Membership

UK employment law knowledge

Leadership experience

Employee relations management

HR policy development

Interpersonal skills

Analytical skills

Equity and inclusion practices

Job description

Head of HR Operations

Reporting: HR Director & Location: Central London
Hourly rate: £36.00 – £40.00 (dependent upon experience)
Hours: 35 hours per week
Starting date: Monday 5 January 2026
Interviews: Monday 15 December 2025
Contract: Until 29 May 2026
Hybrid working pattern: 2 days office, 3 days remote working

We are recruiting for a Head of HR Operations to the HR team at a Royal College based in central London. This is a high-profile, senior position where you will be responsible for leading and delivering an efficient HR operational function, including recruitment, payroll, employee relations, HR systems, and supporting the College’s strategic HR objectives. The role is ideal for someone with senior HR experience, strong leadership skills, and a proactive, solution-focused approach.

Key Skills & Experience

• Proven experience managing HR operations at a senior level, including recruitment, payroll, employee relations, and HR systems.
• Full Chartered Membership of the CIPD
• Strong and up-to-date knowledge of UK employment law.
• Experience leading and developing high‑performing HR teams.
• Ability to manage complex employee relations cases and lead organisational change.
• Experience developing and implementing HR policies, procedures, and performance management frameworks.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence and build relationships at all levels.
• Confident in managing sensitive and confidential information, ensuring GDPR compliance.
• Strong analytical skills, including experience producing HR metrics, KPIs, and strategic reporting.
• Commitment to embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion in operational HR practice.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the HR operational function, including recruitment, payroll, performance management, employee relations, secondments, and service provision agreements.
• Deputise for the Director of HR as required.
• Line‑manage HR staff, ensuring development, appraisal, and performance management.
• Support the review and modernisation of HR management practices.
• Assist the Director of HR in implementing strategies for senior manager engagement and organisational change.
• Maintain HR systems and processes, including staff induction, performance management, and recruitment strategy.
• Lead HR projects, restructures, and employee relations initiatives.
• Ensure timely responses to HR queries, including management of the HR Hub email.
• Maintain compliance with employment law, GDPR, and UKVI requirements.
• Support continuous improvement of HR processes, policies, and procedures.
• Provide accurate HR reporting and analysis to inform decision‑making.
• Strong problem‑solving skills with a pragmatic and flexible approach.

Desirable

Experience working in a Royal College, membership organisation or regulatory body.

This is an excellent opportunity to lead HR operations in a Royal College, supporting strategic objectives, senior colleagues, and staff development while contributing to a positive, inclusive, and high‑performing work environment.