Human Resources Operations Manager

Swindon Borough Council; Swindon; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid leave / holidays worth over £5,0?

Extra annual leave up to 12 days

LGPS pension contribution 21.4%

On-site parking

Hybrid working

Learning and development opportunities

Job summary

Swindon Borough Council is seeking an experienced HR Operations Leader to transform its HR Operations function within a hybrid work model (typically 2 days on site). You will lead the Colleague Experience Centre and drive a high-performing, future-ready HR service delivery across the employee lifecycle.

You will bring operational excellence and strong people leadership, with a track record in improving governance, process controls and performance using data, KPIs and service insights.

Qualifications

• Experience leading an HR Operations, HR Shared Services, Employee Experience or similar function.
• Strong knowledge across employee relations, recruitment, resourcing and people operations.
• Proven track record of driving performance improvements through data, KPIs and service insight.
• Experience improving governance, controls and operational processes.
• Ability to coach, develop and inspire teams through change.
• Pragmatic, analytical and solutions-focused approach to problem solving.
• Confidence to challenge constructively while bringing people with you.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing HR Operations team, creating a culture of accountability, ownership and continuous improvement.
• Use KPIs, SLAs, customer insight and operational data to identify opportunities and deliver measurable service improvements.
• Strengthen governance, compliance and risk management across HR processes and policies.
• Simplify and improve ways of working to enhance the colleague and manager experience.
• Drive better use of HR systems, technology and automation to improve service delivery.
• Develop and coach colleagues, building capability, confidence and resilience across the function.
• Partner with the wider HR&OD team to support organisational change, workforce planning and strategic people priorities.

Skills

HR Operations

People leadership

Data-driven improvements

Governance & risk

Tools

HR systems

Job description

Swindon | Hybrid Working (typically 2 days per week onsite)

Lead the transformation of HR Operations!

After supporting Swindon Borough Council with a number of successful appointments across its HR function, I am delighted to be exclusively partnering with the team once again on this business‑critical appointment.

Reporting to the Head of HR, the HR Operations Manager will lead the Council's Colleague Experience Centre and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of HR service delivery. This is not a "keep the service running" appointment. The Council is looking for an ambitious and forward‑thinking leader who can raise performance, strengthen capability and create a consistently high‑performing HR Operations function that supports the organisation through an exciting period of transformation.

As Swindon continues to progress its ambitious At Our Best programme and wider organisational redesign, this role offers the opportunity to influence how HR services are delivered across the entire employee lifecycle. You'll lead a team of six direct reports covering HR advisory services, employee relations, recruitment and resourcing, learning and development, HR administration and operational support, ensuring services are efficient, customer‑focused and fit for the future.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high‑performing HR Operations team, creating a culture of accountability, ownership and continuous improvement.
• Use KPIs, SLAs, customer insight and operational data to identify opportunities and deliver measurable service improvements.
• Strengthen governance, compliance and risk management across HR processes and policies.
• Simplify and improve ways of working to enhance the colleague and manager experience.
• Drive better use of HR systems, technology and automation to improve service delivery.
• Develop and coach colleagues, building capability, confidence and resilience across the function.
• Partner with the wider HR&OD team to support organisational change, workforce planning and strategic people priorities.

About You

We're looking for an experienced HR leader who combines operational excellence with strong people leadership.

You will bring:

• Experience leading an HR Operations, HR Shared Services, Employee Experience or similar function.
• Strong knowledge across employee relations, recruitment, resourcing and people operations.
• A proven track record of driving performance improvements through data, KPIs and service insight.
• Experience improving governance, controls and operational processes.
• The ability to coach, develop and inspire teams through change.
• A pragmatic, analytical and solutions‑focused approach to problem solving.
• The confidence to challenge constructively while bringing people with you.

Local Government experience would be advantageous, but we are equally interested in candidates from other complex organisations who can demonstrate strong operational leadership and a passion for continuous improvement.

• Paid leave and bank holidays worth over £5,000 per year (inclusive of salary package)
• Option to purchase up to 12 additional days annual leave, worth over £2,000
• 21.4% employer pension contribution through the Local Government Pension Scheme
• Free on‑site parking
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• Extensive learning and development opportunities
• And much more...

Deadline for applications: 5:00pm, Thursday 4th November

Interviews: Scheduled for the week commencing 9th November

This is a unique opportunity to shape a critical HR function, develop a talented team and play a key role in supporting Swindon Borough Council's transformation journey. If you're passionate about improving services, developing people and delivering meaningful change, we'd love to hear from you.