At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the People Operations team to enhance employee experience and drive organisational change.
- Company: Join Children’s Hearings Scotland, dedicated to improving outcomes for children and young people.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, flexi hours, and a fantastic pension scheme.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive environment with opportunities for continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on organisational culture and support a positive workplace.
- Qualifications: Experienced HR professional with strong employment law knowledge and leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
This is an exciting time to join Children’s Hearings Scotland. We’re on an ambitious journey of reform, organisational redesign and continuous improvement, all with one purpose – improving outcomes for infants, children and young people across Scotland. People are central to making that happen.
We’re looking for an experienced, forward-thinking People Operations Manager to lead our operational people function and help shape how we support, develop and enable our people for the future. This isn’t simply about keeping the day-to-day running smoothly (although that’s important too). It’s about bringing fresh thinking, challenging the status quo, building capability, improving services and helping us create an exceptional colleague experience across the organisation.
If you enjoy leading teams, influencing senior leaders, solving complex people challenges and turning ideas into practical improvements, we’d love to hear from you.
Your role
Reporting to the Director of People & Culture, you’ll lead our People Operations team, providing high-quality advice, guidance and support across the full employee lifecycle. You’ll work closely with leaders across CHS, helping them navigate people matters while building confidence, capability and consistency.
Alongside operational leadership, you’ll play a key role in delivering our People Strategy and wider organisational priorities, including involvement in programme work associated with our future reform and redesign planning. You’ll help shape projects that strengthen organisational culture, develop leadership capability, improve employee experience and modernise how we deliver people services.
As we continue to evolve, you’ll also help foster positive and collaborative employee relations, building trusted relationships across the organisation and supporting the development of constructive partnership working. No two days will look the same. One day you might be coaching a senior manager through an employment issue. The next you could be leading a strategic workforce planning discussion, reviewing people data to inform decision-making, redesigning a policy, or helping deliver organisation-wide change.
About you
You’re someone who combines excellent employment law knowledge with curiosity, pragmatism and a passion for making organisations better places to work. You’ll be an experienced HR professional who enjoys balancing operational delivery with strategic thinking and who is comfortable working across a broad and varied people agenda.
You’ll bring:
- significant experience leading operational People or HR functions
- excellent knowledge of employment legislation and employee relations
- experience developing policies and improving people processes
- the ability to coach, influence and build trusted relationships with senior leaders
- experience leading and developing high-performing teams
- confidence using insight and data to inform decisions and improve services
- experience of working collaboratively with employee representatives, recognised trade unions or partnership forums
- enthusiasm for innovation, continuous improvement and modern ways of working
Most importantly, you’ll share our commitment to creating a positive, inclusive and values-led culture where people can do their very best work.
Life at CHS
At Children’s Hearings Scotland, our highly trained Panel Members make decisions for Scotland’s unique Children’s Hearings System that upholds and promotes the rights of infants, children and young people. Our 2,500 volunteer Panel Members take part in children’s hearings in their local areas, making decisions with and for infants, children and young people. Our organisation also supports a network of Area Support Teams throughout Scotland who support Panel Members in their local communities.
As an organisation that works within the Children’s Hearings System, we are passionate about making a positive contribution to improving outcomes for Scotland’s infants, children and young people. You can read more about our core values on our website as well as view an introductory video to our organisation. We also offer a generous benefits package from hybrid working to flexi hours and a fantastic pension scheme – check out our full benefits summary.
Diversity and Inclusion
CHS is an equal opportunities employer. We encourage diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We actively encourage applicants from all protected characteristics and are committed to providing any reasonable adjustments required during the application and assessment process, and upon joining us.
Hybrid working and working pattern
This is a hybrid role and will involve being 'on-site' at our CHS Head Office an average of two days per week, it may be more on some weeks. This will be dictated by business needs. Our CHS Head Office is based in Thistle House, Haymarket, Edinburgh. The standard working week is Monday to Friday but the role may on occasion require a level of evening and weekend work in line with business needs.
People Operations Manager (HR Operations) employer: Childrens Hearings Scotland
Children's Hearings Scotland is an exceptional employer that prioritises the voices of children in every initiative, fostering a collaborative and inclusive work culture. With a strong commitment to employee growth, this role offers opportunities to lead impactful change while working in the vibrant city of Edinburgh, known for its rich history and supportive community. Join us to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and contribute to a diverse and dynamic team.
Contact Details:
Childrens Hearings Scotland Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land People Operations Manager (HR Operations)
✨Join HR Networks
Get involved in HR-specific communities, like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and local HR meetups. This is a fantastic way to connect with industry professionals and learn about job openings before they even hit job boards!
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Attend HR conferences and workshops in your area to network with potential employers. Don't be shy—introduce yourself, exchange business cards, and let them know you're keen on a full-time role in HR. Who knows, you might just land a friendly face at Childrens Hearings Scotland!
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Create content around HR topics you’re passionate about, like employee engagement or diversity initiatives. Share articles or insights on LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and get noticed by recruiters. It’s a subtle yet effective way to show you’re the right fit for a full-time role at Childrens Hearings Scotland.
We think you need these skills to ace People Operations Manager (HR Operations)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your HR Skills:When you’re crafting your CV, make sure you highlight specific HR skills that are relevant to the role at Childrens Hearings Scotland. Include any experience with recruitment processes, employee relations, or performance management, and don’t forget to mention your familiarity with HR software or tools that could give you an edge.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tailor it to Childrens Hearings Scotland and the specific HR role. Highlight your passion for people management and how your unique approach can help foster a positive workplace culture. Be sure to sprinkle in examples from your past experiences that illustrate your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any HR certifications or relevant training under your belt, be sure to showcase them! These qualifications can really set you apart from other candidates when applying for this full-time HR position at Childrens Hearings Scotland. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Childrens Hearings Scotland's values and culture. Research the company and align your experiences or values with what they stand for. This will show them that you're not only a fit for the role but also for the overall vibe of the team and organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at Childrens Hearings Scotland
✨Brush Up on HR Best Practices
As you're diving into human resources, it’s crucial to be well-versed in the latest HR practices and legislation. Get familiar with key topics like employee engagement, talent acquisition, and diversity initiatives, as these could easily pop up in your interview with Childrens Hearings Scotland.
✨Know Your Recruitment Tools
Most HR roles involve using various recruitment tools and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Make sure you can comfortably discuss platforms like Workday or Greenhouse. If you've had direct experience, share those examples; if not, show your eagerness to learn!
✨Highlight Your People Skills
A full-time HR role at Childrens Hearings Scotland will require strong interpersonal skills. Prepare to share stories that demonstrate how you’ve successfully navigated conflicts or supported team members in past experiences. Authenticity goes a long way in this field.
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Being up to speed with current HR trends, like remote working protocols or mental health initiatives, can set you apart. Be ready to discuss how these trends could impact Childrens Hearings Scotland and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
