HR Operations Manager

Your new role An established, international retail organisation is seeking a People Operations Manager to lead the day‑to‑day operational HR agenda across the UK and Southern Europe. The role supports a circa‑700 employee population across multiple countries and retail locations, with responsibility for ensuring operational excellence across HR Operations including payroll, systems, reward, mobility and employee relations.This is a hands‑on, delivery‑focused role suited to an experienced HR professional who enjoys working close to the detail while maintaining oversight of risk, governance and cost. You'll manage one direct report and partner closely with Finance, Legal, Retail leadership and external providers. Employee Relations & Risk Management Oversee complex and sensitive employee relations matters Partner with external legal advisors on investigations, disputes and high‑risk cases Coordinate with Health, Safety and Security stakeholders where appropriatePayroll & Operational Compliance Full accountability for payroll delivery across several jurisdictions, ensuring accuracy, timeliness and compliance Act as the central link between HR, Finance, operational teams and external payroll partners Maintain compliance with local employment, tax and regulatory requirementsPeople Analytics, Cost Control & Planning Own headcount modelling, payroll forecasting and workforce cost management Produce people insights, reporting and dashboards to support business decision‑making Analyse trends, risks and inefficiencies within the people function and recommend improvementsHR Systems & Data Ownership System owner for HR technology, ensuring data accuracy, integrity and adoption Lead system enhancements, upgrades and optimisation activity Provide training and support to HR colleagues, managers and employees on system useReward & Benefits Deliver annual reward cycles including salary reviews, bonus and commission administration Support market benchmarking to ensure competitive and sustainable reward positioning Manage benefits provision and relationships with external suppliersMobility & Right‑to‑Work Oversee immigration, visa and relocation processes for international hires and transfers Partner with external advisors to ensure full compliance across jurisdictions Act as a trusted point of contact for employees navigating international movesWhat you'll need to succeed Senior experience in People/HR Operations with Payroll and Reward (c.10+ years) Background in retail, hospitality or other fast‑paced environments preferred Strong payroll (end‑to‑end), HR systems and people reporting capability Confident using HR data and dashboards to drive insight and decisions Detail‑focused, well-organised, and compliant in approach Solid knowledge of UK and regional employment law Strong communicator, trusted with highly sensitive information What you'll get in return Generous pay and benefits What you need to do now If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career. Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at (url removed)