Hays
HR Operations Manager

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The Role
Reporting to the HR Director and working as part of a collaborative HR team, you will lead the HR Operations function, ensuring the delivery of an efficient, customer-focused service across the entire employee life cycle. This is a highly visible role that will combine people leadership, process improvement and operational governance, making it ideal for someone who enjoys balancing strategic improvements with hands-on delivery.
Leading a small team, you will be responsible for the day-to-day delivery and continuous improvement of HR operations. You will oversee employee life cycle administration, recruitment coordination, HR systems, people data, reporting and payroll processes, ensuring a high-quality service is delivered to employees and managers across the business.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Leading, coaching and developing the HR Operations team.
- Managing HR administration processes across the employee life cycle.
- Overseeing recruitment administration and supporting hiring activities through your team.
- Building strong relationships with payroll stakeholders to enhance processes, reporting and accuracy.
- Managing HR systems, people data and the production of regular management information and dashboards.
- Overseeing employee benefits administration and supporting the smooth delivery of reward-related processes.
- Driving continuous improvement initiatives, identifying opportunities to streamline and standardise ways of working.
- Ensuring robust governance, compliance and operational controls are maintained across all HR operational activities.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
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Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
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Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
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About You
We are looking for a proactive and organised HR professional with a strong background in HR operations and team leadership. You will ideally have:
- Proven experience managing HR Operations within a medium-to-large organisation.
- Strong knowledge of HR systems, payroll processes, people data and reporting.
- Experience identifying and implementing process improvements that enhance efficiency and service delivery.
- Excellent leadership and stakeholder management skills.
- A customer-focused approach with the ability to balance operational delivery with continuous improvement initiatives.
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.


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What's in It for You?
This is an opportunity to join a successful and evolving consultancy business where the People function plays a central role in supporting growth and organisational effectiveness. You'll have the chance to shape and enhance HR operations while developing and leading a capable and established team.
Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at hays.co.uk
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