HR Shared Services Lead

Executive Network Group; Leicester; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Executive Network Group is seeking an experienced HR Shared Services Leader to oversee Payroll and HR operations on an interim basis in Leicester.

This high-visibility role requires hands-on leadership, process improvement, and the ability to partner with the HR Director to stabilise and drive performance during transition.

The role is hybrid with three days on-site and two days remote, on a 12-month FTC basis.

Qualifications

• Extensive HR Shared Services/HR Operations leadership in complex environments.
• Strong payroll knowledge and ability to challenge processes and suppliers.
• Executive presence to influence stakeholders and work with the HR Director.
• Proven track record of mapping processes, embedding SLAs, and driving efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day HR Shared Services and Payroll operations.
• Oversee payroll governance, compliance, and supplier relationships.
• Benchmark performance, refine SLAs, and build resilience in service delivery.
• Collaborate with Payroll Consultant on diagnostic findings and actionable steps.
• Oversee systems, data, and reporting to enable executive dashboards.
• Support onboarding readiness for major new contract wins.

Skills

HRSS Leadership

Payroll operations

Stakeholder management

Process improvement

Change management

Job description

HR Shared Services Lead - Interim

Salary: 80,000 - 90,000 pa

Location: Leicester Hybrid (3 Days On-Site / 2 Days Remote)

Contract Type: FTC 12 Months

The Opportunity

A high-profile interim leadership opportunity has arisen for an experienced HR Shared Services / HR Operations Lead to join a leading global logistics and supply chain business. Reporting directly to the HR Director and sitting within the Senior HR Leadership Team, you will provide operational leadership, stability, and oversight across HR Shared Services and Payroll during a period of transition and growth.This is a hands-on, high-visibility role designed for an interim professional who can hit the ground running, gain an immediate grasp of operational details, and drive performance across back-office People functions.

Key Responsibilities

• Operational Leadership & Service Delivery: Lead day-to-day HR Shared Services and Payroll operations, working closely with the Shared Services Manager and Payroll Manager.
• Payroll Oversight & Assurance: A key part to this role, provide strong directional oversight across the payroll team. You will act as an informed sounding board and challenge internal stakeholders and third-party suppliers on key compliance topics.
• Process Improvement & SLA Frameworks: Benchmark performance, establish robust controls, and refine SLAs to build team resilience and ensure high-quality service delivery.
• Transformational Actioning: Partner with the Payroll Consultant to review findings from a planned payroll diagnostic and translate strategic blueprint recommendations into clear, actionable operational steps.
• Systems, Data & Reporting: Oversee the system/integration landscape and collaborate with a dedicated Data Lead to enhance reporting, metrics, and actionable executive dashboards.
• Business Growth & Contract Mobilisation: Support back-office implementation and onboarding readiness for major new contract wins in the business pipeline.

Candidate Profile

• Proven HRSS Leadership: Extensive experience leading HR Shared Services, HR Operations, or People Services within complex, multi-site, or matrixed operational environments (e.g., Logistics, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Retail, or FMCG).
• Credible Payroll Knowledge: Strong practical understanding of payroll operations, integrations, and compliance, capable of challenging processes and suppliers.
• Stakeholder Influence: Executive presence and confidence to work directly alongside the HR Director, constructively challenging existing setups to drive improvement.
• Continuous Improvement Focus: Proven track record in mapping processes, embedding SLAs, and driving efficiency through ticketing tools and HR systems.
• Change Agility: Adaptable, hands-on, and accustomed to stepping into fast-moving environments to provide immediate continuity and strategic oversight.