HR Services Team Lead (FTC) in Exeter

Ashfords is seeking an experienced and driven HR Services Team Leader in our HR Hub team for a 12 month fixed-term contract. This pivotal operational role combines people management, service excellence, and ownership of our reward and wellbeing initiatives, to deliver a high-quality, responsive HR service across the firm.

Working closely with the HR Assistant and HR Systems Lead, you will ensure smooth operation of core HR processes, ensuring the HR Hub provides a robust administrative service across payroll, benefits, onboarding, contractual changes, and people data management. You will collaborate closely with the HR Consulting, Learning & Development, and Talent Attraction teams to continuously enhance our service, while taking a lead role in managing relationships between the HR Hub and the wider business. You will adopt a proactive approach to problem-solving and driving continuous improvement.

Additionally, you will coordinate content for the firm’s HR intranet and take ownership of the firm’s reward and wellbeing programs; including benefits, engagement tools, renewals, budgets, and wellbeing campaigns. You will work with both internal teams and external consultants to ensure initiatives are effective, deliver value, and are handled professionally, ethically, and confidentially.

Who you are

You are an enthusiastic, well-organised HR professional who thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. You have exceptional attention to detail and take pride in delivering accurate, high-quality work. You communicate confidently and effectively, both verbally and in writing, and can build strong relationships with colleagues at all levels, as well as external contacts. You are credible, curious, and creative, with the ability to generate practical solutions and make things happen.

Ideally, you will have experience leading a team and ensuring that processes run efficiently while delivering a high-quality, responsive service. You are a collaborative team player with a positive, can-do attitude, who motivates and supports others to achieve their goals. You take initiative to manage multiple priorities, meet tight deadlines, and coordinate activities effectively. You act professionally at all times, respecting confidentiality, and are responsive to the commercial needs of the business. You understand the wider impact of your role on the firm’s objectives and are committed to continuous learning and development. You have relevant HR experience, ideally in a busy commercial or professional services environment, and are willing to develop your career further. You are organised, proactive, and committed to delivering outstanding service and results.

At Ashfords, we believe in more than just doing great work - we believe in building a great place to work. When you join us, you become part of a team where everything we do is underpinned by our four core values: Be Open, Think Team, Make a Difference and Always Grow. These values shape who we are and how we work - they guide our decisions, influence our culture, and drive the way we support our people, clients and communities.

With a clear focus on innovation, community involvement, and supporting a healthy work-life balance, we are committed to building an environment where our people can have a rewarding and meaningful career. Whilst we recognise that every career journey is unique, we will be ambitious for you, giving you the tools, trust, and opportunities to develop your career, your way. Our goal? To help you realise your full potential as part of a forward-thinking team.

Our offer

We know that our people are at the heart of everything we do – and that’s why we’re committed to supporting your wellbeing, growth and work-life balance. Beyond our benefits package, you’ll be encouraged, no matter what your role or career level, to get involved in our Responsible Business programme, where you’ll support initiatives such as charity fundraising, environmental causes and our employee-led diversity and inclusion groups. You can find out more about our benefits by visiting the Reward & Wellbeing page on our website.

What’s next?

Our recruitment process typically involves two stages, which are designed not only to explore your skills and experience but also to give you a real insight into what it’s like to work at Ashfords. Throughout the process, our dedicated Talent Attraction team will be here to support you every step of the way. We believe that building a firm with a wide range of perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences drives innovation and strengthens our teams, and we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds.

To support your growth, we offer ongoing training and development opportunities to help you reach your full potential – so even if you don’t feel you match all the requirements of the job role, we’d still love to hear from you. At Ashfords, we’re committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and empowered to succeed.

If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process or would like to discuss anything regarding your application, please contact us at talentattraction@ashfords.co.uk. For an informal and confidential discussion about this opportunity, please contact Kitty Hughes, Talent Attraction Assistant - kr.hughes@ashfords.co.uk. Or apply now, and we will be in touch with you as soon as possible.