HR Systems and Data Operational Lead

Loughborough University; Loughborough; Hybrid; GBP 36,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Time off

Facilities access

Financial wellbeing

Support for you and family

Health and wellbeing

Travel and sustainability

Job summary

Loughborough University in Loughborough is seeking an experienced HR Systems and Data Operational Lead to manage the HR Data and Systems team and ensure reliable BAU services during a major systems transformation. The role requires leadership, technical expertise with iTrent and related HR systems, and the ability to collaborate across HR, Payroll, Finance, IT Services and external suppliers.

The appointment is a full-time, 18-month fixed-term contract with hybrid working; closing date 28

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day delivery of HR Data and Systems services, ensuring BAU activity remains effective and resilient during the HR Systems Transformation Programme.
• Act as the University’s lead operational SME for iTrent and associated HR systems, maintaining system stability.
• Coordinate workloads and priorities across the HR Data and Systems team, HR, Payroll, Recruitment, Finance, IT Services and external suppliers.

Job description

The University is dedicated to supporting an equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment - to create better futures, together. The diverse backgrounds, characteristics and opinions within our community are our great strength and are key to our pursuit of delivering educational excellence, enterprise, research and professional services. We welcome applications from people from diverse backgrounds and minoritized groups as they are currently under-represented within our community.

We recognise the value of a fulfilling and balanced work and personal life which promotes wellbeing. We seek to support colleagues in achieving this balance and have family-friendly policies, flexible working arrangements and many roles can be suitable for dynamic working arrangement. This includes considering applications to work on a part-time, flexible and job share basis wherever possible.

We are proud to be a Real Living Wage Employer—so much so that we go beyond the standard, providing additional supplementary payments at specific pay points to further support our employees' financial wellbeing. Further information about the Loughborough Real Living Wage Supplement can be found on our HR webpage .

Loughborough University is a UKVI Sponsor. Some individuals may require sponsorship to enable them to apply for a visa to provide them with the right to work in the UK. Please note certain roles are not eligible for sponsorship. For further information and eligibility please visit the UKVI website .

Job details

Job title HR Systems and Data Operational Lead Job reference REQ260685 Date posted 14/09/2026 Application closing date 28/09/2026 Location Loughborough Package Management and Specialist grade 6 from £35608 to £46049 per annum. Subject to annual pay award. Job description

Human Resources

Full-time, 18-Month Fixed-Term Contract with hybrid working

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced HR systems professional to join our HR Data and Systems team as HR Systems and Data Operational Lead.

This is an excellent time to join the University. We are embarking on a significant HR Systems Transformation programme alongside finalising a major Finance system re-implementation. As part of this journey, we are looking for a specialist practitioner who can help maintain our business‑as‑usual HR systems operations.

This is a hands‑on specialist role for someone who thrives on problem‑solving, operational leadership and team management. You will lead the day‑to‑day delivery of HR Data and Systems services, ensuring business‑as‑usual activity remains effective and resilient whilst enabling senior members of the team to focus their capacity on delivering the HR Systems Transformation Programme.

About the Role

As our HR Systems and Data Operational Lead, you will provide operational leadership for the HR Data and Systems team whilst acting as the University’s lead operational subject matter expert for iTrent and associated HR systems. You will be responsible for ensuring the effective delivery of business‑as‑usual services, maintaining system stability, and supporting the ongoing development of HR systems and processes.

The role has been created to strengthen operational resilience during a significant period of systems change. By managing team workloads, supporting service delivery and leading the resolution of operational issues, you will create capacity for senior Data and Systems colleagues to focus on the delivery of the HR Systems Transformation Programme.

You will provide day‑to‑day leadership and management of a specialist HR Data and Systems team, acting as a point of escalation for complex system and data issues, co‑ordinating workloads and priorities, and ensuring service standards are maintained during periods of high demand.

Working closely with colleagues across HR, Payroll, Recruitment, Finance, IT Services and external suppliers, you will help ensure that HR systems remain stable, effective and responsive to business needs throughout the transformation journey. The role offers significant autonomy and requires strong judgement, technical expertise and the ability to operate independently.

You will also play a key role in statutory and sector reporting activities, including supporting the delivery of the annual HESA Staff Return through data validation, coding, reporting and submission activities, helping to ensure the accuracy and integrity of workforce data.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to play a key role within an ambitious transformation programme while helping to maintain and improve the systems and data that support our people. You will join a collaborative and supportive team, working on projects that will have a lasting impact across the University.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion are of vital importance to the University and the HR department. We have made strides in recent years, but recognise we have significant work to do to achieve our plans to become an anti‑racist organisation and one at which EDI is embedded in all that we do.

Together we are creating an environment in which diverse individuals can belong, develop and thrive. We will expect you to share that commitment too.

For informal enquiries, please contact: Paul Williams, HR Data and Systems Manager, [e-mail].

For more information, please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification.

Application Closing Date: Monday 28th September 2026.

Interviews will be held week commencing 12th October 2026.

Our Benefits

At Loughborough, ourbenefitsare designed to support your life inside and outside of work, helping you to thrive and feel valued as part of our community. Examples of ourbenefitsinclude:

• Time off -generous holiday allowance, including 14 university closure days and bank holidays, with theoptionto buy extra through our holiday purchase scheme
• Where you work –access to a range of fantastic facilities with plenty of green space across our 523-acre East Midlands campus, plus an exciting community at our London campus on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
• Financial wellbeing– competitive pay, two excellent pension schemes, and everyday savings opportunities
• Support for you and those close to you-through our range of life event leave policies as well as accessto anon-site nursery at our East Midlands campus, flexible and hybrid working options.
• Health and wellbeing– discounted gym memberships and access to world-class sporting facilities, including physiotherapy, plus healthcare offers such as eyesight testing and wellbeing support
• Travel and sustainability-access to our electric vehicle and cycle-to-work schemes, as well as a variety of travel offers to support sustainable commuting

Discover more about the full range of rewards andbenefitsat Loughborough University.