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- Tasks: Lead the People Operations team to deliver impactful HR services and drive continuous improvement.
- Company: Join B&Q, a leading home improvement retailer committed to diversity and inclusion.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, award-winning pension, 6.6 weeks holiday, and wellness benefits.
- Why this job: Shape the future of HR while making a real difference in people's lives.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in HR, strong coaching skills, and experience in digital transformation.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 64000 - 80000 £ per year.
B&Q Chandler\’s Ford, England, United Kingdom
People Operations Lead
Location: Southampton, Store Support Office
Employment type: Full-time
Seniority level: Director
Compensation: £80,000 – £100,000 + Pension + PMI + ShareSave + 6.6 weeks holiday
Hybrid working: 2 days per week in the office
Role Purpose
To lead and continuously elevate the People Operations function—delivering seamless, high-impact, and future-ready HR services that power our people and business success.
Key Accountabilities / Responsibilities
- Provide strategic and operational leadership to the People Operations team, covering Colleague Data, MI, Payroll, Contract Management, HR Systems, and Compliance.
- Ensure accurate, timely, and compliant payroll delivery across the three Kingfisher legal entities within a shared service model.
- Implement the People Strategy with a focus on foundational HR practices, digital transformation, and continuous improvement.
- Lead the development and execution of the HR systems roadmap, collaborating with IT and business stakeholder to deliver scalable, efficient solutions.
- Act as the escalation point for complex HR and payroll issues, managing risk and ensuring compliance with legal, regulatory and audit requirements.
- Oversee resource planning, capability development, and succession planning within the team, using data and insights to inform decisions.
- Drive process improvement, automation, and simplification to ensure services are efficient, effective, and exceed SLAs.
- Support organisational change initiatives—including TUPE, restructures, and project-based activity—ensuring a positive colleague experience.
- Build strong partnerships with HR, Finance, Audit, IT, and external providers to ensure aligned and integrated service delivery.
- Champion engagement, inclusion, and continuous learning across the team.
- Collaborate across banners and Group to share best practice and build a community of practice.
- Lead the design and delivery of colleague self-service and automation initiatives, ensuring intuitive, accessible, and empowering digital experiences across the employee lifecycle.
- Monitor and respond to emerging trends in HR technology, compliance, and service delivery, ensuring the function remains future-ready and aligned with evolving business needs.
- Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) for People Operations, using insights to drive continuous improvement and demonstrate value to the business.
- Ensure data integrity and governance across all HR systems, enabling accurate reporting, analytics, and decision- making.
- Act as a key contributor to the wider People leadership team, shaping cross-functional initiatives and supporting the development of a cohesive, high-impact People strategy.
Required Skills & Experience
- Proven leadership of large, multi-disciplinary teams.
- Strong coaching skills and a track record of building high-performing teams.
- Ability to identify and develop talent.
- Deep expertise in HR compliance, payroll, and process optimisation.
- Strong customer orientation with a data-driven and continuous improvement mindset.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.
- Experience in change management and agile, project-based delivery.
- Strong planning, organisational, and listening skills.
- Ability to navigate complex organisational structures, balancing local needs with group-wide consistency and scalability.
- Comfort working in a fast-paced, agile environment, with the ability to pivot quickly and manage competing priorities.
- Experience leading digital transformation initiatives within HR or shared services, with a focus on automation, self-service, and user experience.
- Proven ability to use data and analytics to drive decision-making, improve service delivery, and demonstrate ROI.
Benefits
We offer a competitive salary, award-winning pension scheme, bonus, ShareSave options, 6.6 weeks holiday, payroll giving, Employee Assistance Programme, shopping discounts, colleague wellbeing benefits and more.
What’s in it for me?
As part of a great team, you’ll be valued for who you are. We’re committed to making B&Q more diverse and representative of the communities we serve, where everyone can feel they belong and have equal opportunities. You will have access to a range of networks that represent our colleagues and allies.
We also recognise that wellness means different things to different people, and we want to help colleagues be at their best and feel well by offering a range of benefits to help you. As well as a competitive salary, our benefits package includes an award-winning pension scheme, bonus, ShareSave options, 6.6 weeks holiday, payroll giving, an Employee Assistance Programme, shopping discounts, colleague wellbeing benefits and lots more!
For recruitment adjustments or application questions, please contact recruitment@b-and-q.co.uk.
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People Operations Lead employer: B&Q
Contact Detail:
B&Q Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land People Operations Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections on LinkedIn or at industry events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. We want you to show up confident and ready to discuss how your skills align with their goals. Don’t forget to have some questions ready to ask them too!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or use online platforms. We can’t stress enough how important it is to articulate your experiences and achievements clearly.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team at B&Q.
We think you need these skills to ace People Operations Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the People Operations Lead role. Highlight your leadership experience and any relevant HR projects you've led, as we want to see how you can elevate our People Operations function.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about HR and how your background makes you the perfect fit for this role. Don't forget to mention your experience with digital transformation and process improvement!
Showcase Your Data Skills: Since data-driven decision-making is key for us, be sure to include examples of how you've used data and analytics in your previous roles. This will help us understand how you can drive continuous improvement in our People Operations.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you're keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at B&Q
✨Know Your People Operations Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the specifics of People Operations. Familiarise yourself with key HR practices, compliance issues, and payroll processes. This will not only show your expertise but also demonstrate your commitment to understanding the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Be prepared to discuss your leadership approach and how you've built high-performing teams in the past. Use specific examples that highlight your coaching skills and ability to develop talent, as this is crucial for the People Operations Lead role.
✨Emphasise Data-Driven Decision Making
Since the role involves using data and analytics to drive decisions, come ready to discuss how you've used data in previous roles. Share examples of how you’ve improved service delivery or demonstrated ROI through data insights.
✨Prepare for Change Management Scenarios
Given the focus on organisational change initiatives, think about your experiences with change management. Be ready to share how you've navigated complex structures and managed competing priorities while ensuring a positive colleague experience.
