Interim HR Operations Manager

Interim HR Operations Manager (fixed term contract until Sept 2027)

Location: London. 5 days in-office requirement.

Type: Fixed term contract until Sept 2027

Salary: Up to £100,000 FTE + £10,000 discretionary completion bonus plus desirable benefits.

The Opportunity

Middlemore have been retained by a high-performing, international financial services business to appoint an Interim HR Operations Manager to take ownership of HR operations, supporting an international population, during a key transition phase, including the go-live and embedding of a new HR system (Workday).

This is a hands-on role where you will lead day-to-day HR operations for the business, managing a small team of HR Advisors and HR Assistants including an offshore team.

The Role

Reporting to the Global People Operations Director you will be responsible for delivering a high-quality HR service across a population of c. 750 employees globally.

You will lead a small, distributed team and act as the central point of coordination and escalation for all HR operational activity.

Key responsibilities include:

• Deliver HR operational activities (HR & benefits administration, advisory services).
• Manage the on shore and off shore resources; ensure work is assigned to team members, performance requirements are met, standards are maintained.
• Help redesign HR processes as appropriate to better meet the needs of business, drive efficiency and improve the employee experience. Update the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Monitor and manage the performance of the off-shore provider contract.
• Monitor and manage the performance of other suppliers for Vetting Services and Employer of Record services.
• Responsible for adherence to local data protection requirements/regulations, data security and control.
• Assist in company internal or external audits, and SOX compliance.
• Assist with the roll out and embedding of Workday, the transition from the current HR systems to workday, training the HR team on Workday, updating documentation that mention HR Systems or HR process (policies, onboarding material, SOPs).
• Manage right to work checks, visa applications and extensions/renewals, relocation package administration.
• Set up new locations/offices/businesses with the most cost-effective HR service solution.

The Environment

This is not a traditional, process-led HR operations role as it requires a high degree of flexibility and a solutions-driven mindset.

The function currently operates in a:

• High-touch environment with bespoke requests - requiring a flexible and pragmatic approach
• Fast-paced setting with shifting priorities
• Context where processes are evolving and not always fully defined

Success in this role will come from your ability to bring a degree of structure, and sound judgement without over-engineering processes.

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for a pragmatic, delivery-focused HR Operations Manager who thrives in dynamic environments.

You will bring:

• Strong HR Operations experience within an SME or mid-sized business
• Proven experience managing small HR teams (including offshore or third-party providers)
• Hands-on experience with Workday (essential)
• A track record of operating effectively in fast-paced, evolving environments
• Strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to build trust quickly
• High attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities at pace
• HR operations experience essential along with managing a team of HR professionals
• Experience of managing third party service providers
• Financial services sector experience is desirable although not essential
• Experience of working in a fast-paced high growth business

Highly desirable:

• Financial services experience (e.g. asset / investment management, boutique banking, Private Equity or similar)
• Experience in a high-performing entrepreneurial environment

If this is something of interest please apply or reach out directly to [email protected]