Role: HR Operations Manager

Location: Dublin, Ireland with UK wide travel

Salary: Up to £80,000 + £7,000 car allowance + excellent benefits package

Sector: Tier 1 Construction & Engineering Contractor

WRG is excited to be supporting a one of the UK’s leading tier 1 construction and engineering contractors in the appointment of a HR Operations Manager.

This is a senior operational HR opportunity offering the chance to lead and develop a high-performing People Operations team while improving the consistency, efficiency and compliance of HR services across the UK and Ireland.

Working closely with the People Business Partners and stakeholders throughout the organisation, you will connect day-to-day HR operations with the wider people strategy. You will take ownership of HR service delivery, governance, systems, reporting, payroll data flows, process improvement and the employee lifecycle.

The successful candidate will be an experienced People or HR Operations leader who has worked within a complex, multi-site and multi-jurisdictional organisation. You will combine strong technical HR knowledge with a practical, data-led approach to developing teams, improving processes and delivering an excellent employee experience.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Lead, support and develop a high-performing People Operations team across the UK and Ireland – with regular travel across the UK and potential to travel to Europe.
• Work closely with People Business Partners and cross-functional stakeholders to align operational HR support with strategic initiatives.
• Build resilience across the function through cross-training, flexible support models and proactive workload management.
• Ensure compliance with employment legislation, GDPR and evolving European directives.
• Maintain accurate, audit-ready HR information, reporting processes and payroll data flows.
• Oversee HR systems, validation processes and procedural documentation.
• Identify opportunities to standardise, simplify and automate HR processes.
• Use data and reporting to identify inefficiencies, resolve anomalies and introduce preventative measures.
• Improve digital HR tools and systems to create scalable and user-friendly processes.
• Oversee onboarding, offboarding, reward administration and wider employee lifecycle processes.
• Support employee relations activity and ensure accessible HR support is available across a dispersed workforce.
• Promote a culture of accountability, responsiveness and service excellence throughout the People function.

The successful candidate will require:

• At least five years’ experience managing an HR or People Operations team.
• Experience working within a multi-site and multi-jurisdictional organisation.
• A proven track record in HR service delivery, process improvement and data integrity.
• Strong experience with HR systems, management reporting and payroll data flows.
• Knowledge of employment law and HR compliance across the UK, Ireland or wider Europe.
• The ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive operational improvements.
• A degree in Human Resources, Business or a related subject.
• CIPD Level 7 or an equivalent postgraduate HR qualification.

Desirable experience includes:

• Previous experience within construction, engineering or another complex professional services environment.
• Knowledge of continuous improvement methodologies, process mapping and RACI models.
• Experience leading teams through major HRIS or payroll transformation programmes.
• A Lean, Six Sigma or other recognised process improvement qualification.
• Additional training in employment law, GDPR, data protection or HR analytics.

What’s on offer:

• Competitive salary up to £80,000.
• Car/ travel allowance of £7,000.
• 26 days’ annual leave plus additional company days.
• Pension and wider employee benefits.
• Unlimited learning and development opportunities.
• The opportunity to shape and improve People Operations across a large and complex organisation.

If you are an experienced People Operations leader who is passionate about developing teams, improving processes and delivering an excellent HR service, please apply or contact WRG for a confidential conversation.

Mike@werecruitgroup.com
07562 945 690