Lead HR Specialist in Belfast

Lead HR Specialist in Belfast

Belfast Full-Time 60000 - 75000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead HR operations, manage employee inquiries, and optimise data workflows in Workday.
  • Company: CME Group, a leading derivatives marketplace with a focus on innovation.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and a supportive environment for career growth.
  • Other info: Join a diverse team of experts and embrace unique perspectives.
  • Why this job: Shape the employee experience and make a real impact in a performance-oriented culture.
  • Qualifications: Experience in HRIS, analytical mindset, and knowledge of UK legislation.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.

As the Lead HR Operations Analyst, you will be the driving force behind our regional employee experience and the integrity of our global people data. Operating at the intersection of strategic problem-solving and operational excellence, you will lead first-tier support, own complex data workflows in Workday, and mentor junior team members. This is a high-impact role within a performance-oriented culture, where your expertise in system optimization and UK statutory governance will directly shape the modern workplace experience for all CME workers.

What You’ll Get

  • A supportive environment fostering career progression, continuous learning, and an inclusive culture.
  • Broad exposure to CME's diverse products, asset classes, and cross-functional teams.
  • A competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

What You’ll Do

  • Drive Operational Effectiveness: Serve as the primary escalation point for advanced AskHR tickets, managing sensitive, high-stakes employee inquiries while consistently exceeding global SLAs.
  • Champion Data Integrity: Act as the Workday HCM subject matter expert, executing complex EIB mass loads, auditing organizational updates, and safeguarding our central data repository.
  • Elevate Team Capabilities: Mentor, guide, and provide constructive feedback to junior team members, fostering a collaborative, high-performance environment.
  • Optimize the Employee Journey: Own key processes across the entire employee lifecycle—from seamless onboarding to empathetic offboarding—while identifying opportunities to automate and enhance the experience.
  • Govern Compliance & Releases: Lead comprehensive testing and audits for biannual Workday releases, ensuring strict adherence to global labor laws and managing essential regulatory reporting.
  • Deliver Actionable Insights: Partner closely with the HR Tech team to build advanced dashboards and deliver key people metrics that empower leadership decision-making.

What You’ll Bring

  • Analytical Mindset: Exceptional attention to detail with experience leveraging AI tools and automated solutions to drive operational efficiencies.
  • HRIS Expertise: Strong proficiency in enterprise HCM, specifically business process configuration, EIB management, reporting, and automated auditing.
  • Service Center Leadership: Proven track record in an HR Shared Services or service center environment, expertly managing high-volume ticketing workflows (ideally Jira) under global SLAs.
  • Generalist HR knowledge: Understanding of UK legislation, statutory leaves (family leave, sickness), and compliance, paired with impeccable judgment in handling confidential Employee Relations matters.

Qualifications: A CIPD qualification is highly desirable. Financial or professional services background is a distinct advantage.

Lead HR Specialist in Belfast employer: Chicago Mercantile Exchange

CME Group is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee growth and a supportive work culture, making it an ideal place for a Lead HR Specialist. With a commitment to continuous learning, competitive salaries, and a comprehensive benefits package, employees are empowered to thrive in a performance-oriented environment. The opportunity to mentor junior team members and engage with diverse cross-functional teams further enhances the rewarding experience of shaping the modern workplace.

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Contact Details:

Chicago Mercantile Exchange Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Lead HR Specialist in Belfast

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at CME Group on LinkedIn or through mutual connections. A friendly chat can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral, which is always a bonus!

Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by researching CME Group's culture and values. Think about how your experience aligns with their mission and be ready to share specific examples that showcase your skills in HR operations and data integrity.

Tip Number 3

Practice common interview questions, especially those related to HR scenarios. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers, making it easier for interviewers to see your problem-solving skills in action.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email reiterating your interest in the role and highlighting a key point from your conversation can leave a lasting impression and keep you top of mind.

We think you need these skills to ace Lead HR Specialist in Belfast

Analytical Skills
Attention to Detail
Workday HCM Expertise
EIB Management
Data Integrity Management
Service Centre Leadership
HR Shared Services Experience

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Lead HR Specialist role. Highlight your HRIS expertise and any relevant experience in managing complex data workflows, as this will catch our eye!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about HR operations and how your analytical mindset can drive operational effectiveness at CME Group. Be genuine and let your personality come through.

Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your past roles, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to mentor others and optimise processes. Numbers and outcomes speak volumes, so don’t shy away from sharing those!

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets into the right hands!

How to prepare for a job interview at Chicago Mercantile Exchange

Know Your Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Workday and HRIS systems. Familiarise yourself with the specific functionalities mentioned in the job description, like EIB mass loads and data integrity. This will show that you're not just a candidate, but a potential expert who can hit the ground running.

Showcase Your Analytical Skills

Prepare to discuss how you've used analytical tools or AI solutions in past roles to improve operational efficiencies. Bring examples of how your attention to detail has made a difference in previous projects. This will highlight your fit for the analytical mindset they’re looking for.

Be Ready to Mentor

Since mentoring junior team members is part of the role, think about your past experiences in guiding others. Prepare a couple of anecdotes that demonstrate your leadership style and how you’ve helped others grow. This will resonate well with their focus on elevating team capabilities.

Understand Compliance Inside Out

Brush up on UK statutory governance and compliance issues relevant to HR. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve navigated these in previous roles, especially in relation to employee relations matters. This will show that you’re not only knowledgeable but also capable of managing sensitive situations.