HR Operations & Recruitment Manager

Are you an experienced HR leader who enjoys making things work better — for candidates, employees, and the business?

We’re looking for a strategically minded Advisory Services Manager with a strong background in HR operations and recruitment to lead a critical people service function during an exciting period of change and improvement.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives on streamlining processes, improving systems, and building trusted relationships, while ensuring a seamless and high-quality employee experience from attraction through to exit.

About the role

In this role, you’ll play a key part in shaping and delivering an efficient, customer-focused HR operation. You will:

Lead the Staff Success Centre, ensuring high-quality first-line HR support, smooth onboarding and offboarding, contract administration, and operational casework.

Oversee the recruitment coordination service, delivering an efficient, inclusive and professionally run experience for both candidates and hiring managers.

Work closely with Payroll, Finance, Learning & Development, and senior stakeholders across the organisation to ensure joined-up, well-governed service delivery.

Drive continuous improvement across HR operations — streamlining workflows, strengthening governance, reducing failure demand, and improving the employee journey.

Contribute to wider People Services and organisation-wide projects, bringing operational insight and supporting effective change.

Use data, MI and service metrics to track performance, identify root causes, and drive operational excellence.

Partner with People Services Senior Leadership and Talent teams to shape the future recruitment and talent acquisition approach, embedding consistent and inclusive practices.

About you

You’ll bring a strong mix of strategic thinking and operational credibility, with:

Significant experience leading HR operations and/or recruitment in a large, complex organisation.

The ability to translate operational challenges into clear improvement priorities.

Excellent stakeholder management skills, with confidence working collaboratively across teams and functions.

A genuine passion for service excellence, continuous improvement, and organisational agility.

Confidence using HR systems, data and metrics to support insight-led decision making.

Working pattern & flexibility

This organisation is genuinely open-minded about flexible working.

Full-time or part-time considered (4 or 3.5 days per week, with a preference for 4 if part-time).

37-hour working week

Monday–Thursday: 8:30–5:00

Friday: 8:30–4:30

Hybrid working with an expectation of around 3 days on site, with reasonable flexibility.

Benefits

25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays

6.5 additional closure days (including Christmas and New Year)

Defined benefit pension scheme (local authority style)

Free on-site parking and good public transport links

If you’re looking for a role where you can make a real operational impact, improve how HR services are delivered, and work in a values-driven environment with a strong focus on people, this could be a fantastic next step.