EIL
Head of Human Resources Operations - 12-Month FTC (Maternity Cover)
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Head of Human Resources Operations - 12-Month FTC (Maternity Cover)
Head of HR Operations (12-Month FTC) — London
THE OPPORTUNITY
Experts in Luxury (EIL) is partnering with an ambitious, founder-influenced premium-sector business in London to appoint a Head of HR Operations for a 12-month fixed-term contract, covering maternity leave.
This is a genuinely high-calibre, hands-on operational leadership role — not a place-holder interim. You’ll own the day-to-day running of the HR function in a lean, fast-moving, high-standards environment, delivering real autonomy with direct exposure to senior leadership. This role suits someone who thrives as the person who makes things work: ensuring calm, structure, and sound judgement rather than process for its own sake.
One day you're advising on complex employee relations or reviewing a payroll query, and the next you’re shaping people strategy in leadership conversations. As you report to the HR Director, you’ll lead day-to-day HR operations while providing leadership to a Senior HR Advisor.
THE ROLE
- Lead day-to-day HR operations across the full employee lifecycle.
- Own employee relations and casework, including disciplinaries, grievances, and performance, ensuring alignment with current UK employment law and ACAS best practice.
- Oversee payroll, working closely with providers to ensure accurate, compliant monthly processing.
- Continuously improve HR policies, processes, and systems, leveraging people data to inform decisions.
- Advise and coach managers and senior stakeholders, handling sensitive matters with discretion and commercial acumen.
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BE A STRONG FIT IF YOU…
- Have solid, current employment-law and ER knowledge and allow your expertise to guide hands-on case management rather than delegation.
- Bring demonstrable payroll oversight experience, with confidence in navigating payroll providers.
- Are analytical and highly organised, with strong Excel and people-analytics skills, ensuring atention to detail.
- Have operated successfully in senior, hands-on HR roles within fast-paced, commercially driven environments — balancing operational and strategic perspectives with ease.
- Give off an understated, pragmatic, low-ego presence, and are credible with challenging stakeholders.
- Hold CIPD qualification (preferably Level 7), though strong hands-on experience will always hold precedence.
Preferred industries or transitions include standalone/lean HR roles within founder-led and entrepreneurial businesses, as well as those in:
- Luxury
- Hospitality
- Premium consumer sectors
- Professional services
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The proximity in experience is weighted towards value over formality—if most bullets align with you, application encouragement follows suit.
THE DETAIL
- Contract type: 12-month fixed-term
- Salary: Deserve market alignment, underpinning competitive remuneration heavily influenced by relevant experience (completion bonus also under consideration).
- Work pattern: Full-time, with flexibility options:
- Four-day work week
- Week-to-week workload alignment (by mutual agenda). Office-based in London, with informal Friday flexibility.
- Holidays: 25 days + UK bank holidays.
- Start-date: Urgency critical—application review begins within 2–4 weeks, but short-notice responses highly encouraged.
HOW TO APPLY
Submit application interest via:
- Direct email: info@luxuryrecruit.com
Confidentiality: All submissions handled at top tier, with the client identity shared only with shortlisted candidates post mutual interest. Rolling reviews in play, so non-disclosure and swift vulnerability encouraged.
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