Group Head of HR Operations

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Wimbledon

Ref: VA3515

#OFE

Benefits

• Competitive salary plus performance related bonus
• 29 days holiday including public holidays plus additional days with service
• Pension contributions
• Referral bonus scheme
• Enhanced parental leave
• Enhanced sick pay
• Wagestream-a Financial Wellbeing app giving you ultimate pay control! Get paid when you want, save monthly, enjoy shopping discounts, explore your benefits, and even connect with a financial coach.
• Talk to us about flexible working
• VIP Awards - colleague recognition scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Benefits App - virtual GP appointments, employee assistance programme (EAP), cycle to work, high street discounts, discounted vehicle maintenance & repairs and so much more!
• Steer Academy provides accredited ongoing training - paid for by the business
• Opportunities for career progression

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Group Head of HR Operations to lead the end-to-end delivery of HR services across a complex, multi-site organisation. Reporting to the Group CFO and operating within a matrix structure alongside Divisional Management Teams, this role is critical to ensuring strong people governance, robust controls, cost efficiency, and high-quality service across the full employee lifecycle.

This is a senior, hands-on leadership role suited to someone comfortable operating at pace, driving operational excellence in a changing environment, and bringing clarity where there is complexity. In addition to HR Operations and Payroll, the role has oversight of HR systems, workforce data, performance processes, and talent operations, including line management of the Head of Talent.

Key Responsibilities

HR Operations Leadership

• Lead the consistent delivery of HR operations across all sites, ensuring reliable, efficient and high-quality service.
• Standardise and continuously improve end-to-end HR lifecycle processes, including recruitment, onboarding, changes, absence, performance records and leavers.
• Maintain a scalable, cost-effective HR operating model suitable for a 4,000+ employee workforce.
• Champion Group values through leadership behaviours and decision-making.
• Ensure transparent and well-governed annual pay review processes, aligned to financial planning and authorisation frameworks.

Payroll, Benefits & Governance

• Provide strategic oversight of payroll operations, ensuring accuracy, compliance and robust financial controls.
• Oversee cost-effective benefits programmes.
• Work closely with Payroll, Finance, Audit and external bodies on reconciliations, audits and risk management.
• Ensure compliance with HMRC, pensions legislation and statutory reporting requirements.

HR Systems & Workforce Data

• Lead governance and optimisation of HR systems and data.
• Ensure high standards of data accuracy, GDPR compliance and information security.
• Deliver dashboards and reporting to support workforce planning, financial forecasting and decision-making.

Policy, Compliance & Risk

• Own Group-wide HR operational policies, ensuring alignment with employment law and regulatory requirements.
• Partner with Divisional HR teams to ensure compliance across multi-site operations, including Right to Work, DBS, Working Time Regulations and holiday pay.
• Lead HR operational input into audits, compliance reviews and risk registers.

Performance, Talent & Workforce Planning

• Own and manage the Group-wide performance review and appraisal cycle, ensuring consistency, compliance and timely completion.
• Ensure effective integration between performance outcomes, reward, payroll and workforce planning.
• Lead talent mapping and succession planning processes, including 9-box assessments.
• Provide senior leaders with insight on high-potential talent, critical roles and capability gaps.
• Line manage the Head of Talent, overseeing delivery of development programmes for key talent groups

Employee Experience & Continuous Improvement

• Oversee HR Business Partners to ensure responsive, accurate and high-quality operational support.
• Drive improved employee experience through self-service tools, automation and smarter process design.
• Embed a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as the senior operational HR partner to Group Executive and key corporate functions including Finance, Legal, Tax, IT and Estates.
• Provide expert operational HR input into organisational change, restructures, acquisitions and site openings or closures.
• Lead and develop HR Operations, Payroll and HRIS teams within a matrix leadership environment.

Qualifications and Skill

Essential

• Senior HR Operations leadership experience within a large, multi-site organisation.
• Strong background across HRIS, payroll, HR administration and performance processes.
• Deep knowledge of UK employment law, pensions and operational compliance.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, with experience working closely with Finance.
• Highly data-literate, with a track record of using insight to drive decision-making.
• Proven success in HR operational transformation and service improvement.
• Comfortable operating at executive and senior leadership level.

Desirable

• Experience in high-growth, acquisition-led or M&A environments.
• Group-level implementation of performance and talent frameworks
• Experience designing and delivering practical development programmes for different talent population

Personal Attributes

• Strategic thinker with strong execution capability.
• Credible and influential leader at all levels.
• Calm, resilient and pragmatic under pressure.
• High integrity, with a transparent and accountable leadership style.
• Excellent communicator, able to translate technical detail into clear business outcomes.

Why Join Us?

• Senior role with real influence and visibility across the Group
• Fast-growing organisation with ambitious transformation plans
• Values-led culture focused on excellence, integrity, and innovation