Quilombo UK
HR Operations Manager (Volunteer) – Professional Development Programme
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About Us
Join Quilombo UK's 16-week Professional Development Programme and gain hands-on experience working on real projects while developing your professional skills and contributing to an independent social-impact organisation.
Struggling to get interviews or land your first job?
You have the qualifications. You have the potential. But employers keep asking for something that's difficult to get without being given an opportunity first: real experience.
Our Professional Development Programme is designed to help bridge that gap.
Instead of simply observing or completing simulated tasks, you'll join a working department, receive training and contribute to real projects with real responsibilities.
The goal is simple: when you apply for your next role, you can talk about what you have actually done — the projects you worked on, the responsibilities you took on and the impact you helped create.
Around 450 people engage with our programmes each year, gaining practical professional experience while contributing to our work.
Who are Quilombo UK?
Quilombo UK is an independent social-impact organisation working to tackle inequality, celebrate diversity and help build stronger communities.
We also believe organisations should be prepared to challenge inequality and question companies and institutions when their actions do not match the values they promote.
We are independent and non-party-political, allowing us to focus on our mission and challenge issues when necessary.
By joining us, you're not only developing your CV. You're helping to build an organisation working towards positive social change.
What will you actually do?
As a HR Operations Manager, you'll work with our team on:
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- turning organisational people priorities into clear HR plans, timelines and measures across the department;
- overseeing recruitment and talent-acquisition activity so processes are organised, professional and support organisational needs;
- overseeing learning and development activity, including the Professional Development Programme and Enhanced Professional Development Programme;
- supporting consistent HR advisory practice across employee relations, policy and people processes;
- leading and coaching HR Managers, helping them maintain visibility of work, priorities, risks and team delivery;
- monitoring key people information such as recruitment activity, training completion and departmental risks; and
- providing clear updates to Directors while maintaining professional HR standards across the department.
You don't need to know everything before you start. Training and ongoing support are provided.
What do you get?
- Real experience – work on genuine projects rather than simulations.
- Something meaningful for your CV – demonstrate responsibilities, projects and impact, not simply participation.
- Training – develop practical role-specific and professional skills.
- Progression – strong performers can take on greater responsibility and access leadership opportunities.
- Potential earnings – participants may receive commission where their work contributes to eligible successful recruitment, partnership or other income-generating outcomes.
We believe success should be shared
When your work directly contributes to Quilombo UK's success, we want there to be an opportunity for you to benefit too.
Commission may therefore be paid where your contribution supports eligible successful recruitment, partnership or other income-generating outcomes. The amount will depend on the nature and value of the outcome and the applicable commission structure.
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Commission is not guaranteed and is separate from the unpaid programme.
Who are we looking for?
We're looking for someone with:
- strong HR knowledge and confidence working across recruitment, learning and development and HR advisory activities;
- good leadership skills and the ability to coordinate, coach and support managers through others;
- strong organisation and the ability to turn priorities into clear plans and manage competing demands;
- good communication and interpersonal skills, including confidence working with managers and senior stakeholders;
- professional judgement, discretion and an understanding of the importance of consistent HR processes;
- confidence using HR, project-management and document systems such as MeisterTask, Microsoft Office and/or Google Workspace; and
- a genuine willingness to take responsibility for departmental standards and outcomes.
Previous HR management or senior HR generalist experience is strongly preferred. A relevant HR qualification, including CIPD, is an advantage.
The commitment
This is a 16-week unpaid Professional Development Programme, requiring 12 hours per week across a minimum of two weekdays.
The role is fully remote, offering flexibility around how those hours are organised within the requirements of your team.
Quilombo UK is committed to equality, diversity and fair treatment in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.
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