Director, HR Operations

IRIS Software

  • Slough, Berkshire
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 5 days ago
The VacancyAt IRIS Software Group, we power mission-critical software that helps over 100,000 organisations worldwide manage their people, payroll, finance, and education with confidence. Our technology underpins how millions of people work every day - and our growth story shows no signs of slowing.Over the past decade, IRIS has expanded rapidly through product innovation and strategic acquisitions. Today, we are one of the UK's largest privately-owned software companies and are scaling globally with strong growth across the UK, North America, and India. With more than 10,000 colleagues worldwide, the way we deliver People operations has never been more critical to our success.We are now looking for a highly experienced Director, HR Operations to lead and transform our HR Operations function across the UK and India. This role is based at our Heathrow Approach office with hybrid working, giving you the flexibility to balance time between home and office while remaining closely connected to our leadership team and colleagues.Sitting at the heart of our People organisation, this position offers the chance to shape how HR is delivered at scale, directly influence the employee experience of thousands of colleagues globally, and play a pivotal role in IRIS's next phase of growth.What You'll Be DoingAs Director, HR Operations, you will take responsibility for both operational excellence and strategic transformation. You will:
  • Lead, inspire, and develop a team of 25-30 HR professionals across the UK and India, creating a culture of high performance and accountability.
  • Oversee HR Operations and Payroll functions, ensuring compliance, accuracy, and efficiency across onboarding, promotions, and employee lifecycle management.
  • Manage HR compliance globally, embedding robust processes to meet regional and international regulations.
  • Design and deliver global benefits and wellbeing programmes, ensuring colleagues feel supported, valued, and motivated.
  • Drive performance and accountability by leading the company-wide OKR framework, aligning teams with IRIS's objectives and growth plans.
  • Transform shared services, evolving HR Operations into a scalable, best-in-class function capable of supporting rapid international growth.
  • Implement and optimise ticketing systems to ensure efficient handling of HR queries and a seamless colleague experience.
  • Champion process improvement and change, using your experience to deliver measurable efficiencies and innovations in HR operations on a global scale.
  • Leverage AI and digital HR solutions to automate processes, improve compliance, and elevate service delivery.
  • Develop success measures for HR Operations, using data and insights to track progress and continuously improve service quality.
  • Play a key role in M&A integration, ensuring smooth onboarding of acquired companies and alignment of HR processes across new locations.
  • Collaborate with senior leaders across HR, Finance, IT, and the wider business, embedding HR Operations as a true business partner.
  • Support flexibility and work-life balance, ensuring our hybrid model enables colleagues to thrive in and out of work.
What We're Looking ForWe're seeking someone who has operated at scale, in complex global environments, and is ready to make a significant impact. You'll bring:
  • Extensive HR Operations leadership experience within a large global organisation (10,000+ employees).
  • Proven expertise in HR compliance, payroll oversight, onboarding, and benefits management across multiple geographies.
  • Demonstrated ability to deliver HR process improvements - with clear examples of efficiencies, global change projects, and measurable impact.
  • Experience with ticketing systems to manage HR casework effectively.
  • Proven track record in shared service transformation, creating scalable, high-performing HR Operations functions.
  • Strategic and commercial acumen, with the ability to measure success, align HR delivery with business goals, and drive continuous improvement.
  • M&A integration experience, successfully embedding HR operations for newly acquired businesses in different locations.
  • Tech-savvy and innovative mindset, with practical experience of HRIS, automation, and applying AI to streamline HR processes.
  • Strong analytical skills, confident in using HR data and OKRs to improve performance.
  • Inspiring leadership, with experience managing large, geographically dispersed teams.
Why Join IRIS?This is more than an operational leadership role - it's a chance to help shape the future of a global company on an ambitious growth journey. At IRIS, you will:
  • Play a pivotal role in our expansion - IRIS is investing heavily in people, technology, and international growth.
  • Have genuine global impact, directly influencing how our IRIS colleagues are supported, engaged, and enabled to perform.
  • Lead a transformation journey, reimagining HR Operations to deliver excellence at scale.
  • Enjoy hybrid working from our Heathrow Approach office, with flexibility designed to support work-life balance.
  • Work with a senior leadership team that values collaboration, innovation, and long-term impact.
  • Join a purpose-driven company - our software empowers accountants, educators, and businesses that millions of people rely on every day.
📝 What Can You Expect From Our Application Process?We know applying for a new role can feel daunting - so we've kept our process simple, supportive, and designed to help you shine. Here's what happens once you hit “apply”:1️⃣ Apply online
Submit your CV and a few details about yourself. No long forms - just what we need to get started and understand your background.2️⃣ Initial Interview (plus Online Assessments)
A friendly chat with our Talent team and two short assessments (CCAT + EPP).
  • The CCAT is a quick 15-minute timed test - best completed somewhere quiet with a pen and paper.
  • The EPP is untimed, giving you space to work through it comfortably.
3️⃣ Informal Interview with our Chief People Officer4️⃣ Face-to-Face Interview with our Chief People Officer and VP Talent & Organisational Development5️⃣ Panel Interview (with presentation) with our HR Senior Leadership TeamThis role offers the opportunity to lead HR Operations at scale in a fast-growing global business. You'll be responsible for shaping how our IRIS colleagues worldwide experience HR, from the fundamentals of payroll, compliance, and onboarding through to wellbeing, benefits, and ongoing support.If you're an experienced HR leader with the vision, expertise, and ambition to deliver measurable change on a global stage, we would be delighted to hear from you.Apply today and be part of shaping the future of IRIS.About IRISAs one of the UK's largest privately held software companies, IRIS Software Group exists to simplify the lives of businesses, schools and organisations.IRIS provides software solutions and services that substantially enhance operational compliance, efficiency and accuracy, empowering the users of our technology to look forward with certainty and confidence.Over 4 million parents use our software to connect with their child's school, 18% of UK employees are paid via an IRIS payroll solution, 50,000 SMEs use IRIS cloud bookkeeping and 21,000 firms rely on us for legislative compliance.Our operational software is the invisible but essential beating heart of our customers' businesses, supporting them in a range of objectives, from maintaining legislative compliance to boosting engagement with stakeholders and enhancing productivity.It's vital these mission-critical functions work first time, every time.That's why IRIS helps businesses run the tough stuff, stay compliant and get operational tasks done right first time, every time - so they can focus on productivity and growth.IRIS is a company built on hiring the best people; our people are our greatest assets.They enable us to be the innovative, market-leading, and high-performing company that we are today.We're delighted to be certified as a Great Place to Work and one of the UK's Best Workplaces for Women.These accolades confirm that our employees have a consistently positive experience at IRIS, with the certifications considering employee wellbeing, diversity and inclusion, trust in management, effective communication and recognition/reward.IRIS is committed to engaging, rewarding and empowering our employees, and this is central to what we do.This is why we work to create an environment where employees feel like they are part of a team.Why work for IRIS?The BenefitsDeveloping your careerWe believe in creating a culture of engagement and reward to develop your potential and offer long-term career success. We do this by:LeadingSupporting our managers to be great leaders, providing inspirational management resources and offering dedicated management development training.ExcellingRewarding individual excellence through dedicated initiatives and Employee Awards for demonstrating our values.GrowingOffering regular training and development programmes tailored to each employee's development needs and providing a commitment to a 'learning culture' which shares knowledge, best practice and our long-standing expertise between employees.ListeningWe're committed to a culture of continuous improvement and listen to our employees via regular feedback sessions and employee engagement surveys.SharingOur employees love the colleagues they work with. We promote a positive environment where our people feel comfortable, make friends and support each other.

IRIS Software