HR Shared Services Lead

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

Job summary

Executive Network Group is seeking an HR Shared Services Lead on an interim basis in the Leicester area. The role is hybrid, with 3 days on-site and 2 days remote, reporting to the HR Director and sitting within the Senior HR Leadership Team.

You will lead HR Shared Services and Payroll operations, drive performance during a period of transition and growth, and partner to deliver a high-quality back-office service.

Qualifications

• Proven HRSS leadership experience in complex, multi-site environments.
• Credible payroll knowledge and ability to challenge processes and suppliers.
• Stakeholder influence and executive presence to work with the HR Director.
• Continuous improvement focus with experience mapping processes and embedding SLAs.
• Change agility to operate in fast-moving environments and provide continuity.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day HR Shared Services and Payroll operations with the SSC/Payroll Managers.
• Provide oversight across payroll, ensure compliance and challenge third-party providers as needed.
• Benchmark performance, refine SLAs, and build resilient controls for high-quality service.
• Translate payroll diagnostics into actionable operational steps with the Payroll Consultant.
• Oversee systems, data, reporting, and executive dashboards with the Data Lead.
• Support onboarding readiness and back-office mobilisation for major contract wins.

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.