People Operations Lead

Job Description 2026 – People Success Team

Job title: People Operations Lead (12-month Fixed Term Contract) 
Location: Manchester Office (hybrid working schedule, 3 days a week in office) 
Reporting to: Director, People Success  

Role Overview: 
We are seeking an experienced People Operations Lead to develop the infrastructure, 
processes, and systems needed for our People function to scale effectively within our 
expanding global consultancy.  

This role suits someone who enjoys enhancing People processes in a dynamic 
environment and can balance attention to detail with sound judgement and 
pragmatism.  

As our business grows, we require a People Operations Lead to bring structure and 
consistency across the employee lifecycle and annual People initiatives.  
The role will oversee and improve core People processes, ensure smooth delivery of 
performance and promotion cycles, and empower managers to operate more 
effectively. The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced, international setting, 
managing both day-to-day operational priorities and longer-term People projects.  

Key Responsibilities:  

Operational Excellence Across the Employee Lifecycle

• Take ownership of and continually enhance the entire workflow for People initiatives 
throughout the employee lifecycle.  
• Overseeing processes such as onboarding, employment changes, promotions, 
offboarding, and other essential People administration tasks. 

Process Documentation and Standardisation

• Develop, document, and maintain comprehensive People workflows, process maps, 
templates, and operating procedures to ensure clarity and consistency. 

Controls and Compliance

• Establish robust controls, clear timelines, and effective handoffs for all People 
activities.  
• Including managing processes that have a direct impact on payroll, benefits, and 
People systems. 

Global Policy Implementation 

• Assist in the consistent rollout and application of People policies and practices across 
the UK, US, and other international offices, involving external advisors when required. 

Enhancing People Administration

• Drive improvements to the quality, consistency, and efficiency of People 
administration and operational delivery throughout the function. 

Core People Initiatives

• Lead the operational execution of major People initiatives, such as performance 
cycles, promotion processes, compensation reviews, and subsequent manager follow
up activities.

Coordination and Communication

• Coordinate schedules, communications, templates, and completion tracking for 
regular People-related activities, ensuring smooth and timely execution. 

Stakeholder Partnership 

• Collaborate with the Director of People Success, People Business Partner, and other 
business leaders to ensure People initiatives are effectively delivered and embedded 
within the organisation. 

Manager Support 

• Provide managers with clear guidance regarding timelines, expectations, reminders, 
and escalation processes when required. 

Continuous Improvement 

• Identify and address recurring challenges, proposing solutions to streamline and 
improve processes, making effective use of automation where possible. 

Optimising People Systems 

• Support the effective utilisation of People systems, including HRIS (Bamboo HR), ATS 
(Workable), and performance management tools (Lattice). 

Data and Reporting 

• Enhance data quality, instil discipline in reporting, and improve visibility of People 
processes across the function. 

Change Management Communication 

• Assist in coordinating communication plans, manager briefings, FAQs, and process 
planning to support successful change management. 

Cross-Functional Project Ownership 

• Take responsibility for various cross-functional People projects as business priorities 
evolve. 

Ideal skills and experience:

• Significant prior experience in People Operations, HR Operations, People 
Programmes, or a similar role. 
• Experience working in a growing, fast-paced business where processes are still 
evolving. 
• Strong track record of building, improving, and embedding People processes 
and operations for people initiatives.  
• Experience supporting multi-country or international employee populations 
• Excellent project management skills. 
• Strong process design mindset with the ability to bring structure and clarity to 
ambiguity. 
• Strong judgement and ability to balance employee experience, business need, 
and operational discipline. 
• Confident communicator with strong written communication skills. 
• Comfortable managing multiple priorities and driving follow-through, Able to 
work independently and take ownership in a lean team environment 
• Strong attention to detail without losing sight of the bigger picture. 
• Ideally, experience in a consulting, professional services, PE-backed, or other 
fast-growth environment.

Up to £45,000

22 days PTO

7% Employer Pension, 2% Employee Match

EAP Programme

Bike to Work Scheme

Life Insurance Coverage: up to 6x salary, capped at £500,000

Parking/Commuting Benefit: up to £50 per month

Company bonus scheme