Head of HR Shared Services

Hitachi Rail; England; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual performance bonus

25 days holiday

Pension scheme up to 9%

Private medical insurance

Group income protection

Group life insurance

Employee assistance programme

Job summary

A leading rail transportation company in the UK is seeking a Head of HR Shared Services to lead their HR function. You will oversee a high-performing team, ensuring efficient delivery of HR services and compliance with UK employment law. The ideal candidate should possess strong leadership, analytical skills, and experience in employee relations. This full-time position offers a competitive salary, annual performance bonus, and various benefits, including a pension scheme and private medical insurance.

Qualifications

• Strong leadership and management experience in HR.
• In-depth knowledge of UK employment practices and laws.
• Experience in handling complex employee relations matters.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the HR Shared Services team.
• Oversee HRIS, ensuring data accuracy and compliance.
• Manage HR administrative processes including onboarding and contracts.
• Deliver HR dashboards and analytics for strategic decisions.

Skills

Leadership and team management skills

Knowledge of UK employment law

Employee relations management

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Change management

Proficient in HR systems

Problem-solving skills

Education

CIPD Level 5 or equivalent HR qualification

Job description

Head of HR Shared Services

Join to apply for the Head of HR Shared Services role at Hitachi Rail

We currently have an exciting vacancy for a Head of HR Shared Services in our UK HR team.

This role will lead the HR Shared Services function, ensuring efficient, compliant, and customer-focused delivery of HR services across HRIS, administration, travel, expenses, management information (MI), and employee relations (ER). This role also provides strategic leadership to the shared services team, fostering a high-performance culture and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing HR Shared Services team.
• Set clear objectives, monitor performance, and support career development.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and service excellence.
• Manage resource planning, workload distribution, and succession planning.

HRIS & Data Management

• Oversee the HRIS platform, ensuring data accuracy, system optimization, and user support.
• Lead system upgrades, integrations, and reporting enhancements.
• Ensure compliance with data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR).

HR Administration

• Manage core HR administrative processes including onboarding, offboarding, contract management, and personnel records.
• Ensure timely and accurate resolution of employee queries and requests.

Travel & Expenses

• Oversee administration of travel and expense policies and systems.
• Monitor compliance and identify opportunities for cost control and process improvement.
• Collaborate with Finance and Procurement to align policies and systems.

Management Information (MI)

• Deliver HR dashboards, scorecards, and analytics to support strategic decision-making.
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting of HR metrics and KPIs.
• Provide insights and recommendations based on data trends.

Employee Relations (ER)

• Oversee ER case management, ensuring fair and consistent handling of employee issues.
• Partner with the wider HR function and Legal on complex ER matters.
• Maintain documentation and ensure compliance with employment legislation.

Operational Excellence

• Drive continuous improvement across HR operations.
• Implement automation and self-service tools to enhance efficiency.
• Ensure service delivery meets agreed SLAs and KPIs.

About you

Key Skills & Experience

• Strong leadership and team management skills, with experience developing HR professionals.
• In-depth knowledge of UK employment law and HR policies, particularly in unionised and industrial environments.
• Proven ability to manage complex employee relations cases with professionalism and discretion.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to build effective relationships with stakeholders at all levels, including trade unions and operational leaders.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and identify trends.
• Experience in managing change processes such as restructures, TUPE, and organisational development.
• Proficient in HR systems and case management tools.
• Commercially aware with a pragmatic approach to problem solving and decision making

Qualifications

• CIPD Level 5 or above, an equivalent HR qualification or equivalent experience.
• Evidence of continuous professional development in employee relations or employment law.

What we offer

• Annual Performance bonus paid on discretionary basis.
• 25 days holiday
• Pension scheme with contributions up to 9%
• Private medical insurance
• Group Income protection
• Group Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Programme

We also offer additional perks for you to choose from within a flexible plan that will meet your specific needs and lifestyle.

Seniority level

Mid-Senior level

Employment type

Full-time

Job function

Human Resources

Industries

Rail Transportation