HR Operations Manager in Cheswick Green

The HR Operations Manager is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of HR Operations Shared Services, enhancing service delivery and maintaining compliance standards. You will lead Acora's global HR operations, owning employee relations, TUPE and organisational change, and the governance that keeps our people practices compliant in every country we operate in. This is a hands-on role. You will be the expert managers turn to when cases get complex, the person who leads a TUPE transfer or restructure end to end, and the owner of the policies, data and controls that stand up to audit. Working closely with the HR Director, you will build consistent, scalable HR operations as Acora grows internationally.

What you’ll do

• Employee relations and manager capability: Advise on and manage complex ER casework, including disciplinaries, grievances, capability, long-term absence, whistleblowing and settlement agreements. Coach managers to handle ER issues confidently and consistently, reducing escalation and legal risk. Develop practical improvements to manager capability, such as toolkits, guidance and training on people management. Manage Acas early conciliation and employment tribunals, including ET3 responses, working with external employment counsel where required, managing risk and cost.
• TUPE (in and out): Lead end-to-end TUPE transfers both into and out of Acora, including those linked to client contract wins, service transitions, contract exits and acquisitions.
• Restructures and redundancy: Lead restructuring and redundancy exercises independently, from initial business case through to implementation. Apply strong knowledge of individual and collective consultation, employee representative elections, selection pools and criteria, scoring, suitable alternative employment and redundancy payments.
• Governance, compliance and risk: Own the HR policy framework, keeping policies current with legislation and consistent across countries where practicable. Ensure HR processes meet GDPR, right to work, ISO 27001 and other audit and client security requirements, including employee screening. Maintain HR controls, approval frameworks and documentation that give leaders and the board confidence.
• Global HR operations: Lead end-to-end HR operations across the employee lifecycle, from onboarding to offboarding. Build consistent global processes while navigating the legal, cultural and practical complexities of employing people in different countries, working with in-country HR, employer of record providers and local advisers. Act as escalation point for complex HR service issues across all regions.
• Immigration, contractors and third-party suppliers: Own Acora's visa and immigration process, including managing our UK sponsor licence through the Sponsor Management System (SMS), processing Certificates of Sponsorship, Home Office reporting duties, record-keeping and compliance audits. Coordinate international mobility and visa applications with external immigration advisers. Own the contractor and consultant engagement process, advising on the differences between them and how each is engaged and processed. Complete IR35 status determinations and Status Determination Statements, including reasoned determinations where HMRC's CEST tool is inconclusive.
• HR systems, data and reporting: Own the integrity, security and confidentiality of data in the HRIS and related platforms. Alongside the HR Data Analyst, produce people data and insight for the board, including headcount, attrition, absence and ER metrics. Identify and deliver process improvements through automation and technology.

What you’ll bring

• Proven generalist HR experience at manager level, including leading ER and organisational change in a multi-site or multi-country business.
• Deep, current knowledge of UK employment law, with a track record of handling complex and sensitive ER cases to resolution.
• Hands-on experience of end-to-end TUPE transfers, both in and out, including ELI, measures and post-transfer harmonisation.
• Able to lead restructure and redundancy exercises independently from business case to implementation.
• Experience supporting a workforce across multiple countries, with a practical understanding of the complexities of international HR.
• Strong governance mindset: comfortable owning policy, audit, data protection and compliance frameworks, including sponsor licence duties, the SMS and IR35 status determinations.
• Confident using HRIS and people data to inform decisions and report to senior leaders.
• Experience of line managing, coaching and developing HR team members, including junior and mid-level staff.
• Credible, calm and commercially minded, able to challenge and influence at senior level.

Hybrid working guidelines: We offer a hybrid working model, with team members spending at least 2 days each week in the office.

Equal Opportunities at Acora: Acora Group are an equal opportunity employer, committed to providing equal opportunities regardless of race or ethnic origin, gender identity, family situation, sexual orientation, disability, religion or age. We hire our people based on qualifications, merit, skills, and business need. We are a Level 1 Disability Confident Committed Employer and will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, perform essential job functions, and receive equitable benefits and all privileges of employment. Please contact us to request any reasonable adjustments.

Join us at Acora in creating a workplace where everyone can succeed and make an impact. We look forward to welcoming you to our team.