HR Operations Manager
- Milton Keynes
- £55,755 per year
- Contract
- Full-time
Location: Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire (Hybrid)
Contract: Full-time, Fixed-term contract
Salary: £46735 up to £55755 dependent on experience
Start Date: ASAPThe Open University is seeking an experienced HR Operations Manager to lead their Tier 2 HR Advisory Teams. This role covers General HR, Absence & Wellbeing Support, Formal HR Processes, and Associate Lecturer Operations.You will play a pivotal role in delivering high-quality HR services across the full employee lifecycle, managing complex casework, and driving operational excellence through innovation, process improvement, and digital enablement.Reporting directly to the Senior Operations Manager, you'll lead a high-performing HR advisory team, foster a collaborative culture, and ensure service excellence in a fast-paced, high-volume HR shared services environment.Key Responsibilities
- Lead, develop, and inspire Team Managers and Advisors within the Tier 2 HR Advisory function.
- Oversee delivery of complex HR casework, ensuring full compliance with UK employment law and best practice.
- Drive continuous improvement, embedding digital tools, automation, and AI where appropriate.
- Maintain accurate documentation, process governance, and consistent HR policy application.
- Monitor and report on KPIs, SLAs, and HR service insights to support data-driven decision-making.
- Act as a senior escalation point for complex HR issues, applying sound professional judgement.
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with stakeholders and external partners.
- Support HR system enhancements and rollouts, including SAP SuccessFactors and self-service tools.
- Lead your teams through organisational change, ensuring engagement, resilience, and clear communication.
- Extensive HR case management experience, including complex issues.
- HR qualification (CIPD or equivalent).
- Proven leadership within HR Shared Services / People Services
- Strong operational HR background (public sector, higher education, or private sector).
- Knowledge of HR shared service models, business partnering, and centralised first-line HR support.
- Ability to manage high volumes of inbound HR queries.
- Excellent skills in prioritisation, SLA delivery, and managing conflicting demands.
- Strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice.
- Proven track record in driving team performance and supporting change.
- Ability to use HR metrics and insights to improve service delivery.
- Excellent communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.
- Customer-focused approach to HR service design and delivery.
Pertemps acts as both an employment business and an employment agency on behalf of The Open University.