People Operations Manager

Vertex Associates - Accountancy and Finance Recruitment; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Vertex Associates are partnering with a prestigious education institute to hire a People Operations Manager on a permanent basis. This hybrid role requires three days a week in their London office.

The role leads the operational delivery of the People function, oversees HR Shared Services, and drives continuous improvement through KPI reporting and system optimisation. You will manage payroll processes, data integrity and compliance while building strong relationships with stakeholders.

Qualifications

• CIPD qualification or equivalent HR experience.
• Experience leading People Operations or HR Shared Services.
• Strong HR systems experience, including implementation and optimisation.
• Payroll processes expertise and managing outsourced payroll.
• In-depth knowledge of employment law and HR compliance.
• Proven ability to drive process improvements and efficiencies.
• Previous team management within a customer-focused environment.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Analytical mindset with data interpretation and insights generation.
• Experience with iTrent or similar HRIS is highly desirable.
• Experience in education, charity, arts or not-for-profit sectors advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead the operational delivery of the People function, ensuring a high-quality, efficient and customer-focused service
• Oversee People Services, ensuring queries, casework and employee requests are managed effectively and within agreed service levels
• Develop and maintain service standards, KPIs and operational reporting to drive continuous improvement
• Review, streamline and improve HR processes across the employee lifecycle
• Act as the lead administrator and subject matter expert for the HRIS, ensuring systems are optimised and fit for purpose
• Manage system upgrades, enhancements, testing and implementation of new functionality
• Ensure data integrity, security and compliance across all People systems
• Lead workforce data management, reporting and analytics
• Produce dashboards, management information and workforce insights to support strategic decision-making
• Monitor key people metrics, including recruitment, retention, absence, diversity and turnover
• Lead external reporting requirements and benchmarking activities
• Act as the primary HR contact for payroll operations, working closely with Finance and external payroll providers
• Ensure payroll changes are processed accurately and efficiently
• Maintain payroll controls, reconciliations and compliance with relevant legislation
• Support and resolve complex payroll and employee relations queries
• Ensure compliance with employment law, GDPR and internal policies
• Support internal and external audits relating to HR systems, payroll and workforce data
• Deputise for the Head of People, providing leadership and operational oversight when required
• Support the development and implementation of People policies and procedures
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners
• Promote diversity, equity and inclusion through fair and consistent people practices

Skills

People Operations

HR Analytics

Stakeholder management

Payroll management

HR leadership

Education

CIPD qualification

Tools

iTrent

Job description

Vertex Associates are proud to be partnering with a prestigious education institute in hiring a People Operations Manager on a permanent basis. This is a hybrid position consisting of 3 days a week in their London office.

Duties and responsibilities:

• Lead the operational delivery of the People function, ensuring a high-quality, efficient and customer-focused service
• Oversee People Services, ensuring queries, casework and employee requests are managed effectively and within agreed service levels
• Develop and maintain service standards, KPIs and operational reporting to drive continuous improvement
• Review, streamline and improve HR processes across the employee lifecycle
• Act as the lead administrator and subject matter expert for the HRIS, ensuring systems are optimised and fit for purpose
• Manage system upgrades, enhancements, testing and implementation of new functionality
• Ensure data integrity, security and compliance across all People systems
• Lead workforce data management, reporting and analytics
• Produce dashboards, management information and workforce insights to support strategic decision-making
• Monitor key people metrics, including recruitment, retention, absence, diversity and turnover
• Lead external reporting requirements and benchmarking activities
• Act as the primary HR contact for payroll operations, working closely with Finance and external payroll providers
• Ensure payroll changes are processed accurately and efficiently
• Maintain payroll controls, reconciliations and compliance with relevant legislation
• Support and resolve complex payroll and employee relations queries
• Ensure compliance with employment law, GDPR and internal policies
• Support internal and external audits relating to HR systems, payroll and workforce data
• Deputise for the Head of People, providing leadership and operational oversight when required
• Support the development and implementation of People policies and procedures
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners
• Promote diversity, equity and inclusion through fair and consistent people practices

Requirements:

• CIPD qualified or equivalent HR experience
• Significant experience leading People Operations, HR Shared Services or HR Operations functions
• Strong HR systems experience, including system implementation, administration and optimisation
• Proven experience managing payroll processes and outsourced payroll providers
• Strong understanding of employment legislation and HR compliance requirements
• Demonstrable experience driving process improvements and operational efficiencies
• Previous team management experience within a customer-focused environment
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills
• Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data and provide actionable insights
• Experience using iTrent or a similar HRIS is highly desirable
• Experience within the education, charity, arts or not-for-profit sectors would be advantageous

Vertex Associates Limited acts as an employment business for temporary positions and an employment agency for permanent positions. Vertex Associates is committed to equal opportunity and diversity. Suitable candidates with equivalent qualifications and more or less experience can apply. Rates of pay and salary ranges are dependent upon your experience, qualifications and training.