HR Operations Administrator

Cox Automotive; Leeds; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Option to buy additional holiday days

Birthday leave – paid

Well-Being Day

Charity Day

Career progression opportunities

Competitive pension scheme

Job summary

Cox Automotive, the world's largest automotive service organisation, is seeking an experienced HR Administrator to support onboarding, payroll and employee lifecycle tasks in a fast-paced environment.

You will partner with line managers, HR colleagues and Payroll to deliver accurate data, MI reporting, and GDPR-compliant administration while contributing to continuous improvement projects. This role offers exposure to advisory activities and a path to grow within a dynamic People Solutions team.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a customer-focused, fast-paced team environment where deadlines and service levels matter.
• Exceptional organisational skills with the ability to manage a varied workload and tight deadlines.
• Advanced HR administration capabilities with understanding of the employee lifecycle and related processes.
• Positive, proactive attitude with resilience to work under pressure and adapt communication style.
• Strong IT skills, particularly in Microsoft Office (Excel essential), and ideally experience with HR systems or databases.
• Discretion and professionalism handling confidential information in line with GDPR requirements.
• Understanding of HR policies, procedures and employment law, and ability to support the wider HR team.

Responsibilities

• Deliver a first-class HR service to line managers and team members, supporting business objectives and accurate HR administration.
• Act as the first point of contact for HR queries, guiding on policies and processes within SLAs.
• Manage end-to-end employee lifecycle including onboarding, changes and leavers.
• Maintain data integrity and produce HR reporting/MI as required.
• Support high-volume activity and wider business projects with administrative support.
• Coordinate HR calendar activities including pay, reviews and engagement initiatives.
• Provide administrative support for HR meetings, projects and improvements.
• Build strong relationships with Payroll and Talent Acquisition for a joined-up service.
• Ensure activities comply with employment legislation and internal policies.

Skills

Customer-focused

Organisational skills

HR administration

Communication skills

Excel

GDPR

Data privacy

Tools

HR software

MS Excel

Payroll systems

Job description

Are you an experienced HR Administrator looking for a role where you can build your advisory experience and take the next step in your HR career? As our business continues to grow, we're excited to introduce this role. It's a fantastic opportunity to join us at an exciting stage of our journey, make your mark, and grow with the business. Overview HR Operations is a key function within People Solutions, being the first point of contact for our Team Members who may have a query with any part of the HR and employee lifecycle - new starter process, onboarding, pay, benefits, personal development, or an employment issue. HR Operations is also responsible for ensuring the overall People Solutions function remains fully compliant and up to date with the most recent Employment contract law, Payroll legislative changes, Talent Acquisition and recruitment processes including Right to Work or visa and immigration support, and importantly that all our people data is kept secure and in line with GDPR legislation. Putting our team member experience first, the HR Operations function provides accurate, timely and detailed Administrative / Query Support Services to the business, ensuring that throughout the employee lifecycle, SLAs are maintained, and processes are refined in line with the overall business targets on team member experience. Why Join Us & What's in It for You?, Are you passionate about delivering exceptional HR support and making a real impact across the employee lifecycle? We're looking for a proactive and detail-oriented individual to join our dynamic HR Operations team. As a key member of the team, you’ll play an integral role in delivering a first-class HR administration and support service. From onboarding new starters to managing leavers and employment changes, you’ll be the go-to person for day-to-day HR queries – helping line managers, employees, and the wider HR team navigate policies, processes, and systems with confidence. Beyond the day-to-day, you’ll also have the opportunity to contribute to strategic HR projects and continuous improvement initiatives. By using data insights and your service-focused mindset, you’ll help shape tools and resources that drive HR excellence across the organisation. If you’re someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, loves solving problems, and enjoys making processes smoother and more effective, we’d love to hear from you.

What You'll Be Doing

• Delivering a first-class HR service to line managers and team members, working collaboratively with the wider HR function to provide expert advice, support business objectives, and ensure a consistent employee experience. Accurate and timely completion of all required HR administration for the wider HR population, including data and MI reporting as required.
• Acting as the first point of contact for HR queries, providing guidance on HR policies, processes and procedures within agreed service levels.
• Managing the end-to-end employee lifecycle, including onboarding, employment changes and leaver processes, ensuring a positive team member experience throughout.
• Delivering accurate and timely HR administration, maintaining employee data integrity and producing HR reporting and management information as required.
• Supporting high-volume employee activity, organisational change initiatives and wider business projects through efficient and professional administrative support.
• Coordinating and supporting key HR calendar activities, including pay and bonus reviews, performance and year-end review processes, and employee engagement initiatives.
• Providing administrative and operational support for HR meetings, projects and continuous improvement activities.
• Building strong working relationships with Payroll, Talent Acquisition and the wider HR team to ensure a joined-up and effective HR service.
• Ensuring all HR activities are delivered in line with employment legislation, internal policies and compliance requirements.
• Demonstrating an understanding of the broader business impact of the role, acting as a trusted representative of HR and delivering a professional and customer-focused service at all times.

We're seeking a driven and detail-oriented individual who thrives in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment. You’ll bring a strong background in HR administration and a passion for delivering high-quality support. To succeed in this role, you should have:

• Proven experience working in a customer-focused, fast-paced team environment where deadlines and service levels matter.
• Exceptional organisational skills, with the ability to manage a varied workload, meet tight deadlines, and maintain a sharp eye for detail.
• Advanced HR administration capabilities, with a solid understanding of the employee lifecycle and its related processes.
• A positive, proactive attitude, with the resilience to work under pressure and the confidence to adapt your communication style to different audiences.
• Strong IT skills, particularly in Microsoft Office (Excel essential), and ideally experience with HR systems or databases.
• A high level of discretion and professionalism in handling confidential and sensitive information, in line with GDPR requirements.
• A good understanding of HR policies, procedures, and basic employment law, along with the ability to support the wider HR team in delivering an excellent service.
• The ability to work independently and take initiative in problem-solving and process improvements.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and accurate data entry capabilities.
• Experience in producing HR reports (MI) and applying analytical skills is highly desirable.
• Previous experience in an HR shared service centre is advantageous, but not essential.

Cox Automotive is the world's largest automotive service organisation. We provide dependable solutions that improve performance and profitability throughout the vehicle lifecycle to manufacturers, fleets, and retailers. Our businesses are organised around our customers' core needs across vehicle solutions, mobility, remarketing, funding, and retail.

Benefits Testimonials

Aneliese Platts Senior Designer "The people that work here are what sets Cox Automotive apart. We genuinely work as a team, and I feel the same level of support everywhere in the business. Working here is like a family away from home, but most importantly we have fun whilst doing it!"

Ann Fairbanks Executive PA & Business Support "I wouldn't be where I am today without Cox Automotive. The company has real culture of learning, pushing the boundaries and making YOU better. It's all built on strong values that are more than just words, they're acted on every single day."

Gemma Hepple National Operations Manager "In my nine years here, Cox Automotive has allowed me to learn, grow and hone my skills. There's a real commitment to inclusion and diversity and today I am proud to be in what was historically perceived to be a 'men's' role!"

Benefits

• Option to buy additional holiday days
• Your birthday off every year - paid
• One annual Well-Being Day for you to relax and recharge
• One paid Charity Day to give back and support a cause that matters to you
• Opportunities for career progression across the Cox Automotive network
• Competitive pension scheme