People Operations Manager

Distinct | B Corp; England; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Flexible hours

Benefits package

Job summary

Distinct | B Corp is seeking a People Operations Manager to lead a small team and oversee daily HR operations, including payroll oversight and continuous process improvements. The role focuses on operational excellence, service delivery, and collaboration with the People Systems and Data function.

The successful candidate will manage three staff, balance multiple priorities in a hybrid, flexible environment, and drive high-quality service for the wider business.

Qualifications

• Experience within HR or People Operations, ideally in a shared services or centralised function.
• Strong payroll knowledge and understanding of payroll processes, deadlines and compliance.
• Experience managing, supervising or coordinating a team.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to delivering a high-quality service.
• People-focused approach balancing empathy with accountability.
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently in a busy environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead, support and develop a team of three, ensuring clear priorities and high service standards.
• Oversee day-to-day delivery of People Operations with accurate, timely processes.
• Provide oversight and support across payroll, with knowledge to backup as needed.
• Ensure the team delivers accurate and responsive service to employees and managers.
• Manage competing priorities, deadlines and operational demands.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, consistency and ways of working.
• Collaborate with People Systems and Data and wider People team for effective delivery.
• Support implementation and transition to a new HR and payroll system.

Skills

Payroll knowledge

Team leadership

HR operations

Process improvement

Stakeholder management

Tools

HRIS

Payroll system

Job description

Working pattern:

Hybrid, with flexibility around working hours

The Opportunity

We are currently recruiting for a People Operations Manager on behalf of our client, who is looking to appoint an experienced HR or People Operations professional to lead their established operational function.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys the operational side of HR and takes pride in ensuring that processes, systems and service delivery run smoothly.

The successful candidate will be responsible for managing a team of three, comprising a Payroll Manager and two People Operations Administrators.

The role has a strong focus on operational excellence, people management and ensuring a high-quality service to the wider business.

Importantly, this is not an employee relations-focused position. ER casework is managed by the wider People team, allowing the People Operations Manager to concentrate on the effective delivery and continuous improvement of operational activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, support and develop a team of three, ensuring clear priorities, accountability and high standards of service.
• Oversee the day to day delivery of People Operations, ensuring processes are efficient, accurate and completed within agreed timescales.
• Provide oversight and support across payroll, with sufficient technical knowledge to act as a backup where required.
• Ensure the team delivers an accurate and responsive service to employees and managers.
• Manage competing priorities, deadlines and operational demands.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, consistency and ways of working.
• Work closely with the People Systems and Data function and wider People team to ensure effective collaboration.
• Support the team through the implementation and transition to a new HR and payroll system.

What We're Looking For

Our client is keen to find someone with a strong operational HR background who combines excellent organisation with a supportive but confident management style.

Key requirements include:

• Experience within HR or People Operations, ideally in a shared services or centralised People function.
• Strong payroll knowledge and an understanding of payroll processes, deadlines and compliance.
• Experience managing, supervising or coordinating a team.
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to delivering a high-quality service.
• A people-focused approach, balancing empathy and understanding with the confidence to set expectations and maintain accountability.
• The ability to work collaboratively and independently in a busy environment.

Ideal Candidate Background

Our client is open-minded about candidates' current job titles and is particularly interested in individuals who are ready to take the next step in their careers.

For example, someone currently working as a People Operations Team Leader, HR Shared Services Team Leader or Senior HR Operations professional within a larger organisation could be a great fit.

The priority is finding someone with the right operational knowledge, leadership capability and approach to managing people, rather than someone who has necessarily held the title of People Operations Manager before.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• An opportunity to take ownership of a clearly defined People Operations function.
• Responsibility for leading and developing an established team.
• The chance to contribute to operational improvements during a period of systems and process change.
• A supportive structure, with dedicated specialists responsible for systems, data and employee relations.
• Flexibility around working hours and working patterns.
• A comprehensive benefits package, subject to final grading confirmation.