Website The Positive Change Group
Company
The Positive Change Group
Location
Hybrid – London
Job Title
People Operations Manager
About the Job
This is an exceptional opportunity within a successful global communications group. Our agencies (Black Sun Global, Stratton Craig, and People-Made) specialise in stakeholder advisory and engagement at the highest level.
The People Operations Manager supports the smooth, day-to-day digital running of the People & Culture function, helping to manage core HR processes, procedures, and policies. The role helps to keep people actively compliant with employment law and internal standards, and contributes to building a reliable, scalable People operations infrastructure.
A key focus is to support the digital transformation of HR, including the rollout and ongoing improvement of a new HR system. By using automation, self-service and AI-enabled tools, the role will help simplify HR workflows, improve the employee experience, and provide better data to the wider People & Culture team and business leaders.
The remit includes coordinating HR technology and vendor activity, supporting health & safety and compliance processes, and producing routine HRMI and reports. Working as part of the People & Culture Group Function, the role partners with colleagues to ensure business-as-usual people processes are delivered efficiently and consistently, with opportunities to get involved in projects and improvement work.
We see this as a real step forward in your career, not just another job. Attracting and retaining the right people for our team is an absolute priority for us and we take their career development seriously from day one. You will have access to a full programme of training and plenty of autonomy to develop new skills and contribute ideas. As well as being passionate about our work, we are supportive, collaborative and positive, always looking to make what we do enjoyable and rewarding.
By joining us you will be working on a hybrid model and have a wonderful opportunity to explore our picturesque offices in Bishops Park, Putney Bridge.
Key Responsibilities
1.HR Operations & Employee Lifecycle
- Coordinate end-to-end HR lifecycle processes (onboarding, changes, exits), ensuring accurate data and a consistent employee experience.
- Carry out core HR administration and support accurate payroll and benefits processing in partnership with Finance and external providers.
- Maintain and update process documentation, forms, and guidance so that HR tasks are clear, standardised and easy to follow.
- Flag opportunities to simplify or automate tasks, using data and feedback to suggest practical improvements.
2. Employee Experience & First Line Advice
- Provide responsive, first-line support to employees and managers via agreed channels (e.g. service desk, email, HR system).
- Give initial guidance on routine employee relations and policy queries, escalating complex or sensitive issues to the Senior People & Culture Business Partner or Head of People.
- Gather feedback and spot recurring questions or pain points, proposing changes to processes, FAQs or self-service content.
3. HR Systems & Digital Tools
- Act as a key user and day-to-day administrator for the HRIS and related HR systems (e.g. ATS, learning, engagement tools).
- Support the implementation and enhancement of the new HR platform, including configuration, testing, data cleansing, training coordination and user support.
- Help to keep HR data accurate and secure, running routine checks and corrections where needed.
- Produce regular HR dashboards and reports, highlighting trends and issues for the HR leadership team.
- Champion the use of digital and AI-enabled tools (such as workflows, templates, and basic analytics) to reduce manual work and improve response times.
4. Compliance, Policies & Governance
- Help ensure HR policies, processes and records meet legal, regulatory, and internal standards, including data privacy requirements.
- Carry out routine compliance checks (e.g. right to work, contract documentation, system access) and follow up on actions.
- Support the communication and rollout of policy and process changes, preparing clear, user-friendly content for employees and managers.
- Assist with health & safety and other people-related compliance activities, working with relevant internal and external stakeholders.
5. Collaboration & Continuous Improvement
- Work closely with the wider People & Culture team to align processes and share good practice across operating companies.
- Help colleagues adapt to new systems and ways of working, offering practical support and training where appropriate.
- Contribute to People & Culture projects (for example, engagement, performance, or wellbeing initiatives) by providing data, system support and operational input.
Qualifications, Skills & Experience
Education
- Degree in human resources, business administration, information systems or a related field, or equivalent experience.
- CIPD Level 5 (or working towards) or equivalent professional qualification is desirable.
Experience
- Typically 3–5 years’ experience in HR operations, people operations or a similar HR role in a fast paced environment.
- Hands on experience using HR systems (e.g. HRIS, ATS, payroll) and supporting system changes or implementations.
- Experience managing HR administration and lifecycle processes with a focus on accuracy, deadlines and service quality.
- Exposure to working with HR business partners or senior managers to deliver people initiatives and resolve issues.
- Experience coordinating the work of others, or mentoring more junior team members, is an advantage but not essential.
Technical Skills
- Confident user of HR systems and Microsoft 365; comfortable learning new digital tools quickly.
- Strong Excel skills to manipulate HR data and create clear, basic dashboards or reports.
- Awareness of how automation and AI-enabled features can be used in HR systems (e.g. workflows, templates, simple analytics).
- Comfortable liaising with vendors and internal IT on system issues, small changes and service requests.
Soft Skills
- Clear and professional communicator, able to explain HR processes and system steps in straightforward language.
- Well organised, able to manage multiple tasks, prioritise effectively and meet agreed deadlines.
- Strong attention to detail with a practical, problem-solving mindset.
- Collaborative and approachable, building positive working relationships across teams and locations.
- Open to change, curious about new technology and keen to improve how things are done.
Knowledge
- Working knowledge of UK employment law fundamentals and HR best practice, with an interest in building global knowledge over time.
- Understanding of HR governance and data privacy principles (e.g. UK GDPR) and their application to HR records and systems.
- Basic understanding of payroll processes and how HR and payroll data flows connect.
- Familiarity with right-to-work and visa-related checks, or willingness to learn.
Interview process
- Initial chat (team) with talent acquisition manager
- 1st Interview (teams) with Group Head of HR
- 2nd interview (f2f) with 2 key stakeholders
- 3rd interview (f2f) at Fulham Palace, presentation to prepare with Group Head of HR and key stakeholders
- 4th interview (f2f tbc) with CEO, possibility after 3rd stage.
Come Join Us!
Joining The Positive Change Group means becoming part of an inclusive, dynamic community where your talents are nurtured, and your career can thrive. With competitive salaries, hybrid working, and continuous professional development, you’ll not only grow but also have the opportunity to make a difference every day, shaping the future of communications – and having fun along the way.
We pride ourselves on being committed to offering equal opportunities to all potential employees and have zero tolerance for discrimination. We foster a business culture where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best work and be relevant in a rapidly changing world. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds to apply and would encourage you to let us know if there are steps we can take to ensure that your recruitment process enables you to present yourself in a way that makes you comfortable.
For more information, please visit: www.positivechangegroup.com
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