We're looking for an HR Operations Manager who's not just process-savvy - but people-smart to join our client in Dartford. If you're ready to lead with empathy, adapt quickly, and make confident decisions in a dynamic setting, this could be the role for you.
About the Role
As HR Operations Manager, you'll lead a small but mighty HR team, delivering high-quality, people-focused support across the employee lifecycle. From complex employee relations to onboarding, compliance, and coaching, you'll be the go-to expert for practical, compassionate, and operationally aware HR guidance. This isn't a role for someone who needs a rigid rulebook. We're legally compliant and committed to fair treatment, but we're not bound by process. We value judgement and people over process.
You'll play a pivotal role in shaping HR practices, driving continuous improvement, and fostering a culture of fairness, trust, and inclusion.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, coach, and develop the HR team to deliver responsive and effective support.
- Oversee day-to-day HR operations, ensuring consistency, compliance, and quality.
- Provide expert advice on complex employee relations matters (absence, conduct, performance, grievance).
- Support and coach managers in formal meetings, investigations, and hearings.
- Maintain accurate and confidential employee records.
- Ensure smooth onboarding and offboarding experiences.
- Interpret and apply HR policy with clarity and consistency.
- Ensure all HR activity is legally compliant and aligned with company values.
- Build strong relationships across the business as a trusted advisor.
- Deliver essential manager skills training to build leadership capability.
- Proven experience in an HR advisory role, ideally in a fast-paced and pragmatic environment.
- Strong background in handling complex employee relations cases with fairness and empathy.
- Experience influencing and guiding people decisions at management level.
- Team leadership experience desirable, but a collaborative mindset and coaching ability essential.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills; able to influence at all levels.
- High emotional intelligence, resilience, and a pragmatic, people-first approach.
- Solid organisational skills, able to manage competing and changing priorities.
- In-depth knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice.
- HR qualifications are welcomed but not essential - values and practical experience are what really count.
This is a fantastic opportunity to make a real impact in a growing, people-focused organisation. You'll have the autonomy to shape HR operations, the support of a collaborative team, and the chance to drive continuous improvement while keeping people at the heart of every decision.
Our client is offering a competitive salary and some excellent benefits including upto 52 days paid holiday per year.
