Head of Staffing & People Operations

hap Solutions; Manchester; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading staffing solutions firm in Manchester is seeking an experienced Head of Staffing & People Operations. This pivotal role involves managing day-to-day operations and leading a team to ensure effective staffing across multiple events including hospitality and festivals. The ideal candidate will possess leadership experience, exceptional organisation skills, and a proactive mindset focused on continuous improvement. Join us to help shape operational excellence and strengthen client relationships in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience within staffing or events management.
• Exceptional organisational skills and ability to work under pressure.
• Strong relationship-building capabilities with clients and colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Manage the day-to-day staffing operation efficiently.
• Oversee staffing fulfilment and ensure accurate workforce planning.
• Handle operational risks and develop contingency plans.

Skills

Leadership experience

Organisational skills

Problem-solving skills

Communication skills

Job description

Head of Staffing & People Operations

We are seeking an experienced and highly organised Head of Staffing & People Operations to lead our Staffing Team and oversee the end‑to‑end delivery of temporary staff across Hospitality, Festivals and Events. Based at our Head Office in Handforth (Manchester), this senior role is central to ensuring we consistently meet client demand and maintain exceptional operational standards.

About the Role

You will manage the day‑to‑day staffing operation, leading a team responsible for workforce planning, recruitment, onboarding, deployment, compliance and post‑event review. You’ll have full oversight of team workloads, client portfolios, and event requirements, ensuring all staffing activity is delivered efficiently, cost‑effectively and to the highest standard.

This role involves close collaboration with clients, internal teams, and senior management, while also acting as a key escalation point for operational challenges, last‑minute staffing needs, and high‑volume events.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, support and develop the Staffing Team, ensuring deadlines and targets are consistently met.
• Oversee staffing fulfilment across all Hospitality, Festival and Event clients, interpreting client requirements and ensuring accurate workforce planning.
• Manage relationships with clients, recruitment agencies and internal partners, ensuring clear communication and excellent service.
• Coordinate with Operations to manage on‑site logistics, including transport, accommodation, equipment, and timekeeping technology.
• Take ownership of compliance, accreditation processes, onboarding standards, and data accuracy across all internal platforms.
• Handle operational risks, staffing shortages and last‑minute changes, ensuring effective contingency planning.
• Provide out‑of‑hours senior on‑call support as required.
• Oversee payroll inputs, timesheets, PARiM data and all event‑related staffing records.
• Prepare reports, analyse staffing trends, and support forecasting and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Lead recruitment for staffing roles and support training, inductions, performance management and team development.
• Ensure adherence to company policies, equality standards, and regulatory compliance.

What We’re Looking For

• Proven leadership experience within staffing, events, operations or workforce management.
• Exceptional organisational and problem‑solving skills with the ability to work in a fast‑paced, high‑pressure environment.
• Strong communication and relationship‑building skills with clients, colleagues and external partners.
• Confident in managing systems, data, and administrative processes.
• A proactive mindset focused on efficiency, service quality and continuous improvement.

Why Join Us?

This is a pivotal management role with significant responsibility and impact across the business. You will help shape operational excellence, strengthen client relationships, and ensure the successful delivery of staffing at some of the UK’s leading hospitality and event experiences.