Head of HR Operations - Invest NI

Head of HR Operations – Invest NI MCS Group is delighted to be partnering exclusively with Invest NI, as they seek to appoint a Head of HR Operations on a full-time permanent basis. The successful candidate will focus provide strategic leadership and direction to a team of HR professionals to design, develop and optimise HR processes and systems that support the overall People & OD strategy and the delivery of Invest NI's Business Strategy. Invest NI Invest NI is transforming to be a world leading economic development agency responsible for driving a high-performance economy. They do this by supporting new and existing small to large businesses from right across the region to increase export sales, drive high value job creation, improve skills and boost productivity; whilst also attracting new inward investment to the region. The role will sit within Invest NI's People and Culture Group, who's objective is to support the delivery of their business strategy by providing a full range of cost effective and efficient, business aligned people solutions and services. The Group adopts a Trusted Business Partnership approach, working as advisers to the organisation to offer a range of people solutions that assist Invest NI to deliver service excellence to our customers. About the Role Reporting to the Executive Director, People & Culture, you will provide strategic leadership and direction to a team of HR professionals to design, develop and optimise HR processes and systems that support the overall People & OD strategy and the delivery of Invest NI's Business Strategy. You will ensure the efficient delivery of HR services including employee relations, employee resourcing, payroll and benefits administration, absence management, HRIS (Human Resource Information System) management, and HR reporting including equality monitoring. You will drive the implementation of best practice and develop and manage HR policies and procedures. You will be responsible for the continuous development and improvement of employee attraction and resourcing strategies that reflect best practice, attract a diverse range of applicants, and promote Invest NI as an Employer of Choice. You will lead on the HR system implementation and development and oversee the ongoing contract management and maintenance of the system, working with internal stakeholders to continuously improve system functionality and reporting to meet business requirements. You will foster a culture of trust and transparency, managing employee relations effectively, and support the organisation in compliance with employment legislation. In addition, this role will be responsible for: Key Responsibilities include: Provide leadership to the HR Operations team, creating a high-performance culture by coaching and mentoring, developing depth of knowledge, enhancing overall team efficiency and effectiveness, and encouraging collaborative working across the People & Culture Group and the wider organisation. Contribute to the development and implementation of the People & OD strategy. Develop and manage key stakeholder relationships, within HR and in the wider business, up to Board level, working closely with senior leadership to align HR strategies with business objectives. Promote Invest NI as an Employer of Choice by implementing effective resourcing strategies that attract diverse talent, collaborating with recruitment agencies, universities, schools, and colleges to drive talent acquisition initiatives. Manage complex employee relations casework including dispute resolutions, disciplinaries, grievances, absence, retirement and Manage and oversee internal HR systems and the provision of data and reports to the business, identifying key trends, and implementing measures to address issues. Drive continuous improvement through delivery of projects and initiatives which help align the workforce with the strategic goals of the organisation. Act as the HR Lead in relation to the Invest NI Digital Strategy. Oversee the transition to a new HR system and ensure alignment with the People & OD strategy and business objectives, improving operational efficiency within the Group and enhancing the employee experience. Develop and implement HR policies and procedures that foster a positive workplace culture, promote fairness, compliance, and respect across all levels of the organisation and address employee concerns and issues effectively. Ensuring compliance with relevant employment legislation. Oversee the Fair Employment Monitoring process and ensure compliance with legislation. Oversee the effective implementation of the job evaluation process and scheme Prepare an annual team operating plan and budget setting out operational objectives, targets, initiatives and activities to ensure effective and efficient delivery of services to the organisation Ensure HR recordkeeping and data processing procedures comply with GDPR requirements This list is not exhaustive, and the successful applicant will be required to perform additional duties as allocated by management. Personnel Specification To be considered for the role, candidates must be able to demonstrate, by the closing date for applications, experience in the following essential criteria. You must demonstrate this experience through specific examples. Current membership of the CIPD at a minimum of Associate level A minimum of three years' experience of operating as a senior HR generalist* across a broad range of HR functions, to include employee resourcing, employee relations, development of HR Policies and Procedures, implementation of HR strategies and initiatives. Experience of leading a team of HR professionals to deliver effective HR operations to internal and external stakeholders Strong change management experience with a demonstrable track record of delivery and successful outcomes. Exceptional organisational and relationship management skills with the ability to provide clear and concise advice to stakeholders. Ability to apply professional judgement to sensitive, complex employee relations issues, providing highly specialist advice in line with organisational policy and employment law. Exceptional leadership and interpersonal skills. Excellent communication and problem-solving abilities. Ability to translate detailed, complex information into consolidated key messages for Senior Management. *Defined as reporting to \”Director\” level or to a \”Head Of\” level if the experience has been gained in a large organisation Terms, Conditions, Benefits The Head of HR Operations is a permanent and full-time, 37 hours per week; however, Invest NI offers a range of flexibilities to enable a better work life balance for our people. Salary The salary range for this position is £55,207 – £59,049 (under review). The entry point for the successful candidate will be at the minimum of the range. Pension We offer all employees access to an attractive pension scheme. Full details can be found on the Principal Civil Service Pensions Scheme (Northern Ireland) website at Location This role is based in Invest NI's Bedford Street Headquarters. Holidays 25 days per annum, increasing to 30 days after 5 years, with an additional 12 Public and Privilege holidays. The leave year runs from 1st February to 31st January. Leave entitlement in the period prior to the start of the new leave year is calculated on a pro rata basis. Flexible Working Hours The standard working hours are 37 per week, Monday to Friday. Employees will be required from time to time to work outside normal working hours to fulfil the demands of the role. Invest NI operates a flexible working scheme. Staff may work flexibly from 7.00am (7.30am when working at HQ) to 7.00pm with a minimum of half an hour for lunch. At management discretion and without adversely affecting the overall efficiency of Invest NI, staff who have built up enough hours each month can take up to a maximum of 3 flexible working days. Family Family-friendly policies are essential for supporting employees with caregiving responsibilities and promoting work-life balance. Remote Working We offer hybrid working for most roles with a combination of in-office and remote work, offering greater flexibility. Wellness and Inclusion We have a variety of vibrant Employee Connection Groups as part of our commitment to Diversity & Inclusion. Invest NI promotes positive health and wellbeing through regular events and initiatives throughout the year with access to wellness programs that support mental and physical well-being. Counselling and support for employees via an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and access to a Welfare Support Service providing an individual and confidential service to staff and managers at all levels. Community A Sports and Social Committee organise events for Invest NI staff and their guests. Our Corporate Charity until April 2026 is NI Children's Hospice and we have already surpassed our target of £20k! You can get involved in events and initiatives to help raise money to support our charity partner. Learning and Development Invest NI is committed to supporting staff to reach their full potential. We actively develop staff and invest significantly in training and development for business success and personal growth. This includes on-the-job training, external training and, where appropriate, further education. Equality of Opportunity Invest NI is an Equal Opportunities Employer. At this time, we particularly welcome applications from people with disabilities, minority ethnic groups and female applicants for roles at Grade 7 and above. Select 'Apply Now' to request a Candidate Pack for this Head of HR Operations opportunity, an incredibly exciting opportunity for the brand. Applications will close on Tuesday 6 May 2025 at 12:00noon. Please allow enough time to complete a CV and 2-page Cover Letter for this Head of HR Operations opportunity. Skills: Head of HR HR Manager Head of People