HR Operations Manager

Job Title: HR Operations Manager
Location: Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire (Hybrid)
Contract: Full-time, Fixed-term contract
Salary: £46735 up to £55755 dependent on experience
Start Date: ASAP

The 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.

Skills & Experience

• 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.

Interested?

Click to apply or contact us for more information about this opportunity.
Pertemps acts as both an employment business and an employment agency on behalf of The Open University.