HR Operations Manager

HR Operations Manager
Location: Newbridge, Kildare – Hybrid
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
About the Role
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced HR Operations Manager to join a leading organisation and play a key role in the delivery and development of its people operations function.
This is a broad and impactful role, responsible for leading day-to-day HR operations and ensuring a consistent, efficient and high-quality employee experience across the full employee lifecycle.
Working closely with HR Business Partners, Payroll, Reward, Talent Acquisition and senior stakeholders, you will lead the development and continuous improvement of HR processes, systems and ways of working. You will also play a key role in the implementation of a new HR Information System (HRIS) and the development of a more digitally enabled HR service.
The successful candidate will combine strong operational HR expertise with excellent process improvement, systems and stakeholder management skills.
Key Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day delivery of HR operational services across the full employee lifecycle, including onboarding, contractual changes, probation, absence, leave, employee records and offboarding.
• Partner with Payroll, Pensions, Compensation & Benefits and wider HR teams to ensure seamless and accurate employee lifecycle administration.
• Lead and continuously improve the Joiner, Mover and Leaver (JML) process, employee onboarding and induction processes.
• Develop, document and standardise HR processes, workflows and service standards, ensuring clear ownership, effective controls and appropriate approvals.
• Identify opportunities to simplify, automate and improve HR operations, reducing manual processes and enhancing the employee and manager experience.
• Manage the end-to-end Talent Acquisition process and identify opportunities to improve recruitment efficiency and the attraction of key talent and capabilities.
• Develop and implement effective people policies, practices and procedures in line with organisational requirements and relevant legislation.
• Lead HR reporting and provide meaningful KPIs and people metrics to support business decision-making, including headcount, absence, recruitment activity, data quality, process cycle times and employee lifecycle trends.
• Act as the HR lead for the operational use of HR systems, ensuring employee data is accurate, secure and maintained in accordance with data protection requirements.
• Lead the implementation of a new HRIS, working with internal and external stakeholders to ensure successful delivery, adoption and integration into HR ways of working.
• Support the development of HR self-service, automation, reporting and digitally enabled HR processes.
• Partner with HR Business Partners and key stakeholders on strategic people initiatives, projects, communications, employee engagement activities and organisational change programmes.
• Lead and contribute to HR and cross-functional projects, continuous improvement initiatives and wider business priorities.
• Lead, support and develop members of the HR Operations team, fostering a high-performing, collaborative and service-focused environment.
• Ensure appropriate attention is given to health, safety and welfare responsibilities in accordance with organisational requirements.
• Participate proactively in the performance management process and contribute to the achievement of individual and wider team objectives.

About You
The successful candidate will ideally have:

• A Hons Degree in HR, Business or a related discipline.
• At least 5 years’ relevant HR experience, ideally including significant experience leading or managing an HR Operations function.
• Strong knowledge and practical experience across HR operations and the employee lifecycle.
• Experience implementing, improving or operationalising HRIS and/or payroll systems would be highly advantageous.
• Experience of leading HR process improvement, automation and digital transformation initiatives.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate HR data into meaningful insights and actions.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to influence, challenge and partner with colleagues at all levels.
• Experience leading, coaching and developing a team, with a focus on delivering high-quality service and performance.
• The ability to build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong report writing and presentation skills.
• Excellent Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
• CIPD accreditation would be desirable.

What’s on Offer

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements.
• Opportunity to lead and shape a modern HR Operations function.
• Exposure to significant HR transformation and HRIS implementation activity.
• Strong opportunities for professional development and career progression.

For more information on this position get in touch with Evelyn @ evelyn.fraser@hrsearch.ie