HR Operations Manager

Medlock Partners Ltd; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A professional services recruitment firm is seeking an experienced HR Operations Manager to lead a team in Manchester. This permanent, full-time role offers a salary of £50,000 - £54,500 and a competitive benefits package, including 39 days annual leave. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in employee relations, HR policy development, and team leadership. Hybrid working is available with 2 days a week in the office.

Benefits

39 days annual leave

Enhanced pension contributions

Qualifications

• Significant experience managing complex employee relations cases.
• Proven manager and motivator with team leadership experience.
• Strong background in HR policy development and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Act as the senior specialist for all employee relations matters.
• Lead on complex cases including disciplinaries and grievances.
• Review, update and implement HR policies and procedures.

Skills

Employee relations

HR policy development

Problem-solving

Decision-making

Education

CIPD Level 7 qualified (or working towards)

Tools

HR systems and reporting experience

Job description

HR Operations Manager

Manchester City Centre based Head Office

Hybrid and flexible working — 2 days in the office per week

Permanent & Full Time (37 hours per week)

£50,000 - £54,500 plus highly competitive benefits package, including 39 days annual leave (inclusive of statutory holidays) and enhanced employer pension contributions (access to local government pension scheme)

Are you an experienced HR professional with strong expertise in employee relations and a passion for improving HR services? We are seeking a proactive and confident HR Operations Manager to lead a small team and deliver high-quality, people-focused HR employee relations support and further transactional services across the organisation.

This is a brand-new role within the organisation as they look to transform their HR service. Reporting directly into the Head of HR Operations, you will be responsible for providing expert employment relations guidance, overseeing HR administration and transactional services, and supporting strategic workforce initiatives. You will play a key role in shaping modern, efficient HR practices and ensuring legal compliance across the employee lifecycle.

Working closely with senior leaders, you will help drive improvements in employee experience, HR processes, and organisational culture.

Key responsibilities of the HR Operations Manager :

• Act as the senior specialist for all employee relations matters.
• Lead on complex cases, including disciplinaries, grievances, investigations, performance issues and appeals.
• Develop tools, templates and training to build ER capability across the organisation.
• Support organisational restructures, TUPE processes and wider change programmes.
• Review, update and implement HR policies and procedures.
• Ensure compliance with employment legislation and best practice.
• Advise managers and HR colleagues on complex employment law matters.
• Oversee the HR helpdesk and ensure timely, customer-focused resolution of queries.
• Manage onboarding, pre-employment checks, contractual changes and record accuracy.
• Support payroll activities and ensure high-quality HR data and reporting.
• Line‑manage, develop and motivate a team of HR Advisers and Administrators.
• Build strong, effective relationships with managers, senior leaders and key stakeholders.
• Work collaboratively with senior HR leadership on service improvements and workforce strategies.

Key requirements for the HR Operations Manager :

• You will be a senior HR professional with significant experience managing complex employee relations cases.
• Due to the significance of this role within the HR department, my client requires an individual who has the experience to ‘hit the ground’ running as opposed to developing into the role over a long period of time.
• You will be a proven manager and motivator, who has previously led and development a HR team.
• Ideally you will have previously worked within the public sector or for a not-for-profit organisation within a similar HR role. However, specific industry sector experience is not essential to be successful in this role.
• You will have a strong background in HR policy development and compliance and have a proven ability to advise and influence senior managers.
• HR systems and reporting experience is beneficial.
• You will pride yourself in having strong knowledge of employment law.
• Ideally you will be CIPD Level 7 qualified (or working towards).
• You will be a confident decision-maker with strong problem-solving ability.

If you are interested in this new and exciting opportunity and you feel your experience matches the criteria, please apply now for immediate consideration or for more information please contact Mark Croston.

Medlock Partners are a professional services recruitment specialist operating across the North West of England. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and circumstances, including minorities and those with disabilities. Please note our advertisements use years' experience and salary levels purely as a guide. We are happy to consider applications from all candidates who are able to demonstrate the skills necessary to fulfil the role. If you do not hear from us within 48 hours please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion