People Operations & Experience Manager

Frontline Group; Peterborough; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail and distribution company in the UK is seeking a People Operations & Experience Manager in Peterborough to lead HR strategies and enhance the employee lifecycle. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in People Operations and proven experience in leading teams, optimizing HR systems, and driving data-informed insights. This role offers comprehensive benefits, flexible working options, and a commitment to employee wellbeing.

Benefits

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Contributory pension and life assurance

Executive coaching and mentoring

On-site gym and parking

Wellbeing support

Qualifications

• Proven manager with delivery track record in People Operations.
• Strong technology mindset and expertise in HR systems.
• Solid understanding of employment law compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire a team of People Advisors.
• Own and optimise HR systems for smooth operations.
• Shape the employee lifecycle from onboarding to offboarding.

Skills

People Operations management

HRIS troubleshooting

Data analysis

Team leadership

Interpersonal skills

Tools

SuccessFactors

ATS

SharePoint

Job description

About the Role

As our People Operations & Experience Manager , you’ll be the architect of our people processes and systems, ensuring we attract, retain, develop and support the people that drive our continued growth.

Job Opportunity

You’ll lead a team of People Advisors, partner with senior stakeholders, and have the opportunity to shape every touchpoint of the colleague lifecycle — from recruitment and onboarding to reward and engagement, and beyond.

What You’ll Do

• Lead and inspire a team of People Advisors, fostering collaboration and service excellence.
• Own and optimise HR systems (SuccessFactors, ATS, SharePoint), ensuring smooth operations.
• Deliver data‑driven insights to inform People strategy and business decisions.
• Shape the employee lifecycle , creating positive experiences from onboarding to offboarding.
• Design and drive process improvement , embedding agile, fit‑for‑purpose practices.
• Ensure compliance , developing policies aligned with UK employment law and our values.
• Lead reward cycles , manage pay and benefits to remain compliant and competitive.
• Streamline recruitment operations to enhance candidate experience.
• Deliver People projects to drive the desired business outcomes.

Essential Skills

What We’re Looking For

• Proven People Operations or Operational managerial experience with a track record of delivery, execution and results.
• Strong systems expertise and technology mindset with ability to troubleshoot (HRIS such as SuccessFactors / SAP).
• Solid understanding of optimising people processes, policies, with an ability to comply with employment law standards .
• Ability to lead teams , inspire collaboration, and drive high performance.
• Excellent data and analytical skills , translating data into actionable insights.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage and influence stakeholders effectively.
• Passion for innovation, efficiency, and employee experience .
• Exceptional problem-solving skills and a customer‑centric approach to service delivery.

About Company

Join the Frontline Group — Making the Complex Simple

Frontline Group is made up of three dynamic business units— Frontline Distribution Solutions, Frontline Retail Solutions , and Gold Key Media —supported by key enabling functions. United by our mission to ‘ Make the Complex Simple’ , we’re the UK’s leading retail sales, marketing, and distribution company, with a strong presence in publishing and home entertainment.

Who We Work With

We partner with iconic UK magazine publishers, representing titles like Radio Times , Good Housekeeping , TV Choice , Heat , Top Gear , Grazia , Vogue , Cosmopolitan , Empire , National Geographic , and many more.

We also work with major film studios to manage DVD distribution in grocery retail : and run the book category for retailers such as Morrisons and Waitrose. We are currently expanding into additional categories such as music, collectables and other exciting products. At Gold Key Media we work closely with key venues such as four and five star hotels, airport lounges and world famous events internationally.

What We Do

We collaborate with UK and international retailers, wholesalers, and supply chain partners to deliver on our clients’ commercial goals with the vision to be the most valued Distribution and Retail solutions partner. Through Gold Key Media, we also manage premium brand placements across global events, travel hubs, and hospitality venues.

Who We Are

Jointly owned by Bauer Media and Immediate Media Company (Hubert Burda Media), Frontline Group offers career opportunities across a wide range of business areas. We’re passionate about developing talent and have a strong track record of helping our people grow and thrive.

Our Culture

Our teams are made up of trusted industry professionals. We celebrate diversity and ensure everyone feels welcomed, valued, and empowered to be their authentic selves.

Our I ACT values— Impact, Ambition, Collaboration, and Trust —drive sustainable performance, business growth, continuous innovation, and a happy work environment.

DE&I

Bring 'You' to the interview

Diversity and inclusion are at the heart of everything we do. We want to make sure that our selection processes are transparent and fair, providing a level playing field for anyone who wants to come and work with us. Therefore, if you require any adjustments to an interview process, please feel free to get in touch withthe Hiring Manager who will be happy to discuss your needs in complete confidence.

Curious what it’s like to work here? Visit our Frontline Group website to hear directly from our people.

Please also review our Candidate Privacy Policy available on our site.

Benefits

Benefits That Work for You

We offer a comprehensive benefits package to support your wellbeing and lifestyle, including :

• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays (pro rata)
• Contributory pension, life assurance, and income protection
• Learning and development opportunities
• Executive coaching and mentoring available to all
• Informal hybrid working
• Additional leave : volunteering, family-friendly, and loyalty schemes
• Wellbeing support, including our Employee Assistance Programme
• On-site gym and parking at Stuart House, Peterborough
• Reward Gateway scheme – Smart Spending App
• Plus flexible, salary‑sacrifice options :
• Private medical insurance
• Car scheme
• Holiday purchase scheme