People Operations Manager

Build the foundations. Shape the future. 

Are you looking for a role where you can help shape HR strategy and make a real impact on the future of a business?

HR Ninjas has been instructed to act on behalf of an award-winning international design agency based in Central London, with ambitious plans for growth.

They’re looking for a People Operations Manager who can combine operational excellence with strategic thinking, playing a key role in shaping the People function, influencing its direction and creating a first-class employee experience as the business continues to evolve.

This is a high-impact role for someone who combines exceptional operational discipline with a passion for continuous improvement. You'll take ownership of the day-to-day running of HR Operations, ensuring everything from payroll and compliance to onboarding and HR systems runs smoothly, accurately and efficiently. 

At the same time, you'll help modernise the HR function, improving processes, leveraging technology and delivering meaningful insights that support better decision-making across the business. 

If you're someone who enjoys fixing problems, creating structure, driving efficiency and making a tangible difference every day, this role could be the perfect fit for you.

The Role 

Reporting into the HR Director, you'll be responsible for the operational backbone of the HR function across a growing and evolving organisation. 

You'll own key people processes while helping to create a more scalable, data-driven and technology-enabled employee experience. 

You will have experience leading a small HR Operations team and have successfully implemented or transformed an HRIS platform, ideally Cezanne HR, using technology to improve efficiency, data quality and the overall employee experience. 

Key Responsibilities 

People Operations 

• Own the end-to-end administration of the employee lifecycle, from onboarding to offboarding. 
• Manage contracts, offer letters, contractual changes and employee documentation. 
• Lead, coach and develop a small People Operations team, ensuring high standards of service delivery and continuous improvements. 
• Provide operational expertise on international employment administration. 
• Manage relationships with Employer of Record providers and international employment partners. 
• Ensure employee records are maintained accurately and confidentially. 
• Act as the first point of contact for day-to-day people operations queries. 
• Continuously improve employee processes and experiences. 

Payroll, Benefits & Reward 

• Manage monthly payroll processes, ensuring accuracy and timeliness. 
• Coordinate salary changes, promotions, bonuses and benefits administration.
• Manage the annual performance and compensation processes. 
• Work closely with Finance and external providers to ensure effective payroll delivery. 

HR Systems & Data 

• Lead the optimisation and future development of HR technology landscape, driving automation, improved data quality and enhanced employee experience. 
• Own and optimise the HR system, ensuring data integrity and user adoption. 
• Produce people metrics, dashboards and management information. 
• Deliver regular workforce reporting and insights to senior leaders, using people data to inform decision-making and organisational planning.  
• Drive efficiencies through automation and process improvement. 

Compliance & Governance 

• Maintain HR policies and process documentation. 
• Ensure compliance with employment legislation and internal governance requirements. 
• Support visa, sponsorship and right-to-work processes where required. 
• Manage people data in line with GDPR and best practice. 
• Manage key relationships with payroll, benefits and HR technology providers, ensuring high-quality service and value for the business. 

Continuous Improvement 

• Identify opportunities to streamline, automate and improve ways of working. 
• Support the implementation of new technology and AI-enabled solutions. 
• Build scalable people processes that enable future growth. 
• Contribute to the ongoing evolution of the HR  function. 

About You 

You'll be a highly organised HR professional who enjoys both the detail and the bigger picture. 

You'll likely bring: 

• Experience in an HR Operations or People Operations role. 
• Experience implementing or optimising Cezanne HR would be highly advantageous, although experience with comparable HR systems will also be considered.  
• Strong payroll and employee lifecycle administration experience. 
• Experience managing and developing a small HR or People Operations team.  
• Strong project management skills with the ability to balance operational delivery alongside business improvement initiatives. 
• Strong analytical and reporting skills. 
• A solid understanding of UK employment law and HR compliance. 
• A process improvement mindset and a desire to make things better. 
• The confidence to work independently while partnering effectively with stakeholders across the business. 
• CIPD levels 3 or 5 preferred but not essential. 

£60,000 to £75,000

• Personal Pension Plan
• Life Assurance
• 25 days holiday per year
• Birthday Day Off
• Eyecare Support: claim for eye tests and frames and lenses
• Support for charity and volunteer time
• Interest-free travel
• Ride2Work scheme
• Private Medical Insurance
• Electric Vehicle Scheme
• Flexible Pension Contributions
• Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Pay
• Paid Jury Duty
• Bank Holiday Swap
• Mortgage Planning and Advice Clinics