HR Operations Manager (Deputy HR Manager)

Corehr; Oxford; On-site; GBP 39,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Generous annual leave

CPD opportunities

Supportive learning environment

Shape research support

Job summary

University of Oxford's Department of Materials invites an experienced HR Generalist to become HR Operations Manager. You will lead HR operations, deputise for the Head of HR, guide the team, and ensure compliant recruitment and processes across the department.

You will be CIPD qualified or have equivalent experience, with strong interpersonal skills and ability to influence managers. The role emphasizes prioritising workloads to meet deadlines in a dynamic academic environment.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering HR operations and supporting HR projects.
• Ability to deputise for Head of HR and lead a team.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and UKVI regulations.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Deliver HR operations across the Department of Materials.
• Lead HR projects and introduce initiatives for improvement and efficiency.
• Deputise for the Head of HR and provide guidance to the HR team.
• Support employee relations cases and ensure recruitment and processes comply with codes of practice.

Skills

HR operations

People management

Employee relations

Recruitment processes

UK employment law

Education

CIPD qualified

Job description

UK date and time: 26-September-2026 12:31

HR Operations Manager (Deputy HR Manager)

Department of Materials, Parks Road, Oxford

A new and exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced HR Generalist to join the Department of Materials as a HR Operations Manager.

This role is responsible for the delivery of HR operations in the Department. You will take a lead role in HR projects, developing HR initiatives and bringing forward ideas for improvement and efficiency. You will deputise for the Head of HR and Operational Transformation with day-to-day management of the HR function, providing support and guidance to the team as required. You will support employee relations cases within the Department and work with managers and academic employees to ensure that all recruitment and other HR processes are fully compliant with the University's codes of practice.

You will be CIPD qualified (or have equivalent experience) and be an experienced HR Generalist. You will have a strong team ethic with excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to influence upwards, building strong relationships with line managers. A sound knowledge and experience of the application of UK employment law and UKVI regulations is required to ensure compliance at all times. The ability to manage and prioritise your own workload and the work of the HR team to adapt to changing priorities, and to meet strict deadlines, is essential.

The Department of Materials is supportive, forward-thinking community that values professional growth and well-being.

We offer:

• A competitive salary and generous annual leave entitlement.
• Access to CPD opportunities and a supportive learning environment.
• The chance to work in a department renowned for its international excellence and innovation.
• The opportunity to shape the future of research support within a dynamic and improving operational framework.

Salary (£) : £39,424 to £47,779 with discretionary range up to £51,983