People Shared Services Manager - 11 Month FTC

Zenith Vehicles; Leeds; On-site; GBP 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Private Medical Insurance

Life Insurance

Cycle to Work Scheme

Health Cash Plans

Wellbeing support

Onsite parking

Onsite bistro

Job summary

Zenith Vehicles is seeking an experienced HR Operations leader to head People Shared Services and Employee Relations on an 11‑month maternity cover. You will lead a team of five, delivering end-to-end employee lifecycle processes and payroll governance for ~1,500 colleagues.

You will coach managers through complex ER matters, navigate UK employment law in a commercial context, and drive continuous improvement across systems and data governance.

Qualifications

• Experience leading an HR Operations / Shared Services function in a high-volume environment.
• Proven ability to coach managers through disciplinary, grievance and performance matters.
• Strong practical understanding of UK employment law and its commercial application.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of People Shared Services and Employee Relations colleagues.
• Own end-to-end employee lifecycle processes including onboarding, payroll governance and offboarding.
• Ensure service levels and customer satisfaction are consistently achieved.
• Monitor workload and team performance to drive improvements.
• Act as senior escalation point for complex employee relations matters.
• Oversee relationship with outsourced payroll provider ensuring accuracy and service.

Skills

HR Operations leadership

Employee Relations guidance

Stakeholder management

Coaching managers

Data-driven HR

Payroll governance

Tools

HR systems

Case management platforms

Job description

If you're an experienced HR Operations, Shared Services or People Services leader who thrives on creating efficient, high-quality people processes, leading operational teams and providing expert guidance on complex employee relations matters, this could be your next exciting challenge.

For more than 30 years, Zenith has been shaping the future of sustainable vehicle solutions. As the UK's largest independent vehicle solutions provider, we're proud to offer an inclusive workplace where individuality and diverse perspectives are valued. We're recognised for our award‑winning service, our investment in people and our commitment to making mobility smarter, greener and better for everyone.

We're looking for a People Shared Services Manager to join our People Team on an 11‑month maternity cover contract. Leading a team of five, you'll be responsible for the day‑to‑day delivery of People Services across a workforce of approximately 1,500 colleagues.

What's The Role

This is a hands‑on operational leadership role where you'll oversee service delivery, employee lifecycle processes, payroll governance, people systems and operational performance, ensuring the team consistently delivers a high‑quality experience for colleagues and managers.

Alongside leading our People Services operation, you'll provide leadership and oversight for Employee Relations activity across the business. While the team will manage day‑to‑day cases, you'll act as the senior escalation point, coaching and supporting colleagues through more complex employee relations matters and helping managers navigate employment risk with confidence and consistency.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and develop a team of People Shared Services and Employee Relations colleagues.
• Own the delivery of end‑to‑end employee lifecycle processes including onboarding, contractual changes, payroll administration and offboarding.
• Ensure service levels, operational performance and customer satisfaction measures are consistently achieved.
• Monitor workload, service metrics and team performance, taking action to continually improve outcomes.
• Act as the senior escalation point for complex people administration, payroll and employee relations matters.
• Oversee the relationship with our outsourced payroll provider, ensuring accuracy, compliance and excellent service delivery.
• Drive process optimisation, automation and continuous improvement initiatives across the People function.
• Lead operational projects that improve efficiency, reduce manual effort and enhance the employee experience.
• Maintain high standards of data accuracy, governance and compliance.
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners.

What You'll Bring

We're particularly interested in hearing from candidates who combine strong HR Operations leadership with the confidence to provide senior Employee Relations guidance.

You’ll Be Able To Demonstrate

• Experience leading a People Shared Services, HR Operations, Employee Services or HR Administration function.
• Experience leading and developing operational HR teams in a high‑volume environment.
• Significant experience acting as an escalation point for complex employee relations matters.
• A strong practical understanding of UK employment legislation and its application in a commercial environment.
• Experience coaching managers and HR colleagues through disciplinary, grievance, absence management and performance‑related matters.
• Strong understanding of employee lifecycle processes and operational HR delivery.
• Experience managing service delivery, operational performance measures, SLA's or customer service standards.
• Knowledge of payroll administration, payroll governance and supplier management.
• Experience using HR systems, case management platforms and people data to drive improvements.
• A track record of improving processes, increasing efficiency and enhancing customer experience.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.

Why Join Us

• Our customers trust us – partnering with some of the UK's largest and most recognisable brands.
• Our people stay with us – we've built a collaborative, supportive culture where people are empowered to make an impact.
• We're ambitious – backed by recent recapitalisation, major investment, a clear strategy for long‑term growth and a thriving fleet of almost 170,000 vehicles.
• We're award‑winning – including Leasing Company of the Year (Fleet News 2026), Large Business of the Year and Diversity & Inclusion Award winners at the Yorkshire Post Excellence in Business Awards, and Wellbeing Award winners at Fleet News 2025.
• We're leading the transition to sustainable mobility – with over 41% of our fleet now Battery Electric Vehicles and a long‑standing commitment to sustainability.
• We're invested in your future – offering clear development opportunities, structured career pathways and the chance to build a long‑term career with a market leader.

What's In It For You

• Salary up to £60,000
• Annual bonus24 days annual leave & 1 day for your birthday plus bank holidays
• The option to buy or sell holidays (+5 or -3)
• Individual Private Medical Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Breakdown Cover
• Dental & Health Cash Plans
• Critical Illness Cover
• Tech Scheme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Perks at Work – save on everyday essentials
• Wellbeing support including: onsite GP, EAP, pensions advice, funded HRT treatment, Mental Health First Aiders
• Sports & Social Club, company activities, and team events.
• Agile working
• Free onsite parking
• Onsite bistro
• Inclusive culture with colleague-led equality networks
• Development opportunities with access to our MyGPS personal development framework.

We want to positively encourage differences in Zenith and believe it is critical to our success as a company. Zenith is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace that seeks to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We therefore encourage applications from all genders, races, religions, ages and sexual orientations, as well as parents, veterans, people living with disabilities, and any other groups that could bring diverse perspectives to our business.