People Operations Team Lead

LEYF Nurseries; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A mission-driven nursery group in England seeks a People Operations Team Lead to oversee HR functions and improve workflows. You will manage a small team, utilize data to enhance HR processes, and contribute to a collaborative work environment. Ideal candidates possess HR system expertise, strong leadership abilities, and a compassionate approach. The position offers a competitive salary, benefits like a 70% childcare discount, and 26 days off annually, making it a fulfilling opportunity to impact Early Years education.

Benefits

Competitive salary

7% employer pension contribution

70% childcare discount

26 days off, including holidays

Access to wellbeing app

Shopping discounts

Team events

Qualifications

• You must have HR system expertise with a people-oriented focus.
• Experience leading teams and improving HR processes is essential.
• You should possess strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the People Operations Team in day-to-day activities.
• Drive improvements in HR workflows and technology.
• Utilize data to enhance the HRIS and report on key metrics.
• Support internal stakeholders and manage HR queries effectively.

Skills

Problem solving

Data-driven thinking

Team leadership

Communication

Compassion

Judgement and decision making

Job description

A proactive HR Operations role with team management in a mission-driven nursery group.

Are you a curious, analytical thinker with a passion for improving HR Operations? Love being the subject matter expert and problem solve whilst dialling up use of our HR system? Into leading people, spotting trends, connecting the dots, and like a challenge? This could be for you.

At the London Early Years Foundation (LEYF), we run 43 nurseries across London with the mission of giving every child the best start in life. As a charitable social enterprise, we put people before profit, and our People team plays a key role in supporting our nurseries to achieve this.

As our People Operations Team Lead, you’ll manage the day‑to‑day running of the small but mighty team, ensuring our processes run smoothly and we deliver an efficient and empathetic service to our 1000 colleagues. You’ll provide key insights and promote a people‑focused, collaborative team environment. This role offers challenge as we continue to shift processes to our new HRIS, reimagining workflows and ways of working. If you like intellectual stimulation and want the chance to shape HR Operations and particularly our HR system this could be the role for you.

What’s in it for You?

• Shape the way we work : Lead and drive improvements across our HR workflows and tech while managing the team
• Be part of something bigger : Join a team with a strong sense of purpose, dedicated to making a real difference in Early Years education
• Grow your HR management skills : An excellent opportunity to develop your management skills and strengthen cross team relationships
• Enjoy the perks : Competitive salary and great range of benefits including a market‑leading 7% employer pension contribution
• Save on childcare : 70% discount at our nurseries if you have children or grandchildren
• Time to recharge : 26 days off a year, including Christmas closure, your birthday off, and bank holidays
• Feel valued : Access to a wellbeing app, shopping discounts, team events, and more

A Bit About the Role

“We are looking for someone great at problem solving and really enjoys implementing self service HRIS. Someone with the ability to lead with your head and translate it into a message with compassion at its heart” - Daryle, People Operations Manager

What You’ll Be Doing Day‑to‑Day :

• Lead the People Operations Team
• Bring organisation and structure to the day‑to‑day operations ensuring the team delivers high quality, empathetic and prompt response
• Spot trends and drive improvement : you’ll be the person who connects the dots and uses data and problem solving to improve how our HRIS works
• Regularly report on metrics (like turnover and retention)
• Bridge between the HR Ops, Advisory and the wider People teams
• Present and support internal stakeholders
• Oversee our busy HR query ticketing system, ensuring staff queries are dealt with quickly and effectively

What We’re Looking For :

• Solution focused and people oriented HR system expert
• A logical data‑driven thinker
• Experienced team leader
• Compassionate & resilient
• Great communicator with the confidence to influence senior people
• Good judgement and decision making
• Curiosity, can‑do attitude & takes ownership
• You’ll need the permanent right to work in the UK

We believe a diverse team makes us better – and we welcome you as you are.

If you’ve had experience in HR management who wants your work to matter, we’d love to hear from you! Apply online and tell us why you want to work for us. We’re reviewing applications as they come in – so don’t wait too long! Happy holidays to you.