People Operations Manager

Engage People Recruitment; Dublin; Hybrid; EUR 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Engage People Recruitment is seeking a seasoned People Operations Manager to lead HR operations across Ireland, the UK and wider European markets.

This hands-on, multi-country role manages a distributed team, ensuring high standards of service, compliance and employee experience while driving process improvements and HR tech enhancements.

Qualifications

• Degree in HR, Business or related discipline (NFQ Level 8 or equivalent).
• CIPD Level 7 qualification or relevant postgraduate qualification in HR.
• Strong experience within HR/People Operations, ideally in a complex or multi-jurisdictional organisation.
• Proven experience leading and developing HR teams.
• Strong understanding of employment legislation, GDPR and HR governance.
• Experience working with HR systems, data and operational reporting.
• A track record of improving HR processes and service delivery.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a People Operations team across multiple locations.
• Work closely with HR Business Partners and wider business stakeholders to deliver effective HR services.
• Build efficient and resilient ways of working across the team, including cross-training and workload planning.
• Ensure HR operations remain compliant with employment legislation, GDPR and relevant European regulations.
• Maintain high standards of HR data accuracy, reporting and payroll processes.
• Oversee HR systems, controls, documentation and data validation procedures.
• Ensure processes are consistently applied and remain audit-ready.
• Identify opportunities to streamline, standardise and automate HR processes.
• Use HR data and reporting to identify issues, improve efficiency and prevent recurring problems.
• Drive enhancements to HR technology and digital tools.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives across the People Operations function.
• Oversee key employee processes including onboarding, offboarding, benefits and reward administration.
• Ensure employees receive a consistent, responsive and high-quality HR service.
• Provide support on employee relations matters where required.
• Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration and service excellence within the People team.

Skills

People leadership

HR operations

Stakeholder management

Data-driven HR

Education

Degree in HR or related

CIPD Level 7

NFQ Level 8 or equivalent

Tools

HRIS systems

Payroll systems

Job description

Location: Dublin, Ireland

Working Model: Hybrid - 3 days per week in the Dublin office, with some travel to the UK

About the Company

People Operations Manager

Our client is a well-established, family-owned organisation with an international presence and a strong reputation for delivering high-quality projects across multiple markets. With a people-focused culture and a commitment to continuous improvement, the organisation is investing in its People function and is looking for an experienced HR professional to join its leadership team.

The Opportunity

We are looking for an experienced People Operations Manager to lead HR operations across Ireland, the UK and wider European markets.

This is a broad and hands-on leadership position, managing a distributed People Operations team while ensuring high standards of service, compliance and employee experience. You'll play a key role in improving processes, strengthening HR systems and using data to drive operational decisions.

The successful candidate will be comfortable working in a complex, multi-country environment and balancing strategic priorities with day-to-day operational delivery.

Key Responsibilities

People Leadership & Collaboration

• Lead, coach and develop a People Operations team across multiple locations.
• Work closely with HR Business Partners and wider business stakeholders to deliver effective HR services.
• Build efficient and resilient ways of working across the team, including cross-training and workload planning.

HR Governance & Compliance

• Ensure HR operations remain compliant with employment legislation, GDPR and relevant European regulations.
• Maintain high standards of HR data accuracy, reporting and payroll processes.
• Oversee HR systems, controls, documentation and data validation procedures.
• Ensure processes are consistently applied and remain audit-ready.

Operational Excellence

• Identify opportunities to streamline, standardise and automate HR processes.
• Use HR data and reporting to identify issues, improve efficiency and prevent recurring problems.
• Drive enhancements to HR technology and digital tools.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives across the People Operations function.

Employee Lifecycle

• Oversee key employee processes including onboarding, offboarding, benefits and reward administration.
• Ensure employees receive a consistent, responsive and high-quality HR service.
• Provide support on employee relations matters where required.
• Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration and service excellence within the People team.

Experience

Essential

• Degree in HR, Business or a related discipline (NFQ Level 8 or equivalent).
• CIPD Level 7 qualification or relevant postgraduate qualification in HR.
• Strong experience within HR/People Operations, ideally gained in a complex or multi-jurisdictional organisation.
• Proven experience leading and developing HR teams.
• Strong understanding of employment legislation, GDPR and HR governance.
• Experience working with HR systems, data and operational reporting.
• A track record of improving HR processes and service delivery.