HR Shared Services Manager

www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk - Jobboard; Little Irchester; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail organization is seeking an experienced HR Shared Services Manager to lead their HR advisory and administration team. This hybrid position requires strong leadership skills and technical HR knowledge to ensure compliance and support a seamless colleague experience. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of managing HR teams and delivering high-performance results. Join us to help drive operational excellence and create a positive working environment for all employees.

Qualifications

• Experience managing HR advisory and admin teams.
• Strong technical knowledge of employee relations.
• Proven ability to inspire teams to perform.

Responsibilities

• Lead the People Advisory and Admin team effectively.
• Ensure compliant handling of HR processes.
• Monitor absence data to reduce costs.

Skills

Emotional intelligence

Stakeholder management

Coaching and development

HR systems knowledge

Project management

Problem-solving

Job description

We’re currently looking for a skilled and people-focused HR Shared Services Manager to lead our central HR advisory and administration team. In this pivotal role, you’ll ensure the delivery of consistent, compliant, and high-quality support across Booker, helping to shape a seamless colleague experience and drive operational excellence.

This role offers hybrid working with 3 days in the office and 2 days from home.

• Lead and empower the People Advisory and Admin team to deliver expert ER advice and accurate HR administration in line with company policy, employment law, and best practice.
• Partner with regional People teams and business leaders to support the full employee lifecycle, from recruitment to exit.
• Ensure timely and professional handling of pay changes, contracts, expenses, fuel cards, and invoices.
• Maintain accurate colleague records and correspondence, ensuring GDPR compliance across SAP and other systems.
• Drive consistency and risk mitigation in ER case management, supporting resolution and compliance.
• Coach and develop your team through regular feedback, 1:1s, performance reviews, and personal development plans.
• Lead team meetings, communicate business updates, and manage resource planning to meet service demands.
• Oversee compliance of standard letters, contracts, and templates, working closely with the Recruitment & Attraction team to support digital onboarding.
• Identify and implement process improvements, promoting collaboration and inclusion in decision-making.
• Monitor absence data and support consistent action across branches to reduce related costs.
• Manage key processes including leaver surveys, night worker health assessments, bereavement communications, and the confidential helpline (Protector Line).
• Provide MI reporting and insights to senior stakeholders across People, Operations, and Resourcing.
• Support employment tribunal preparation and DSAR/PI claims in collaboration with the Policy & Compliance Partner.
• Champion health & safety within the People department, ensuring training, assessments, and compliance checks are up to date.
• Live and lead by example—acting with integrity, promoting inclusion, and supporting Booker’s mission to be a great place to work.

• A confident and empathetic leader with experience managing HR advisory and admin teams previously.
• Strong technical knowledge of employee relations, HR systems, and MI reporting.
• Proven ability to coach, develop, and inspire teams to deliver high performance.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Commercially aware, with a pragmatic approach to problem-solving and decision-making.
• Experience in project management and cross-functional collaboration.
• Emotionally intelligent, inclusive, and committed to creating a positive colleague experience.