Senior People Operations Manager – EMEA in Dublin
Senior People Operations Manager – EMEA

Senior People Operations Manager – EMEA in Dublin

Dublin Full-Time 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Compass Group Ireland

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead strategic people operations and develop high-performing teams across EMEA.
  • Company: Join Compass Group, a supportive network dedicated to exceptional customer experiences.
  • Benefits: Enjoy free meals, discounts, flexible working, and career development opportunities.
  • Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to inclusivity and personal growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic hospitality environment while growing your HR expertise.
  • Qualifications: 3-7 years of HR experience and strong knowledge of employment law required.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.

As Senior People Operations Manager - EMEA, you will act as a strategic and operational People & Culture leader, partnering with Directors of Operations and the Regional People Operations Director (APAC, India & EMEA) to deliver high‑quality, compliant and commercially focused people solutions across multiple sites. You will lead a team of People Operations professionals and work closely with senior stakeholders across operations, finance, risk, and country People teams. The role balances strategic business partnering, matrix leadership, and operational HR excellence in a fast‑paced, client‑facing hospitality environment.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Strategic Business Partnering
    • Partner with Directors of Operations to align people strategy with business growth, revenue and margin objectives.
    • Translate business plans into effective workforce, structural and capability strategies.
    • Provide commercially focused, risk‑aware People advice and contribute to regional and global People initiatives.
  • Matrix Stakeholder Leadership
    • Work closely with Country People Teams across EMEA to ensure compliance with local legislation and Compass frameworks.
    • Balance client‑specific requirements with standardised country governance.
    • Act as an escalation point where client and country People frameworks intersect.
  • Leadership & Team Management
    • Lead, coach and develop a high‑performing People Operations team across EMEA.
    • Set clear expectations, build capability and drive consistent, high‑quality People service delivery.
  • Workforce Planning & Organisational Design
    • Lead workforce planning across existing and new business sites.
    • Support mobilisations, restructures and organisational design activity.
    • Partner with Finance and Operations on labour modelling, headcount management and succession planning.
  • Employee Relations & Risk Management
    • Provide senior‑level guidance on complex employee relations matters across multiple jurisdictions.
    • Ensure compliance with employment legislation and collective frameworks.
    • Manage high‑risk cases while balancing risk mitigation and positive employee relations.
  • Talent, Engagement & Culture
    • Drive initiatives to strengthen engagement, retention, leadership capability and performance.
    • Lead DE&I initiatives aligned to regional and client strategies.
    • Support talent development, performance reviews, internal mobility and reward decisions.
  • Operational HR Excellence
    • Ensure accurate, compliant People operations, systems and data integrity.
    • Oversee employee lifecycle processes and deliver meaningful workforce insights.
    • Lead People projects at regional and corporate level.

About You:

  • Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business Management or related field
  • 3-7 years’ HR experience in a multi‑site environment across UK&I and Europe
  • Strong knowledge of employment and labour law
  • Proven experience leading and developing teams
  • Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills
  • Strong business acumen with financial understanding
  • Confident decision‑maker with a calm, measured approach
  • High standard of confidentiality and professionalism

Desirable:

  • CIPD qualification
  • Experience working within a matrix or client‑embedded model
  • Hospitality, services or operational environment experience

Some of the benefits we offer:

  • Free meals while at work
  • Discounts across the Island of Ireland to save at various restaurants, high street stores, hotels, day out venues, gyms, golf courses and many more
  • Flexible working to support work life balance
  • Additional Leave Purchase scheme to balance home and work life
  • Life assurance cover
  • Additional, seasonal and overtime hours available
  • Career Pathways to support career progression and/or skills development
  • Learning & development programs available for personal and professional development & growth
  • Access to wellness programs to promote mental health and wellbeing of our colleagues
  • Employee Assistance Program to guide and support our employees
  • Exciting internal reward and recognition schemes
  • And many more.

About Us: At Compass Ireland, our people are our business. When you join the Compass Group you will be joining a supportive network of incredible individuals, each united by their passion for going the extra mile for the organisations we partner with. We are building a team who care about providing a great customer experience and want to grow and develop as we do. We are dedicated to investing in every colleague joining us and pride ourselves on being an equal opportunity employer; we celebrate diversity and are committed to building an inclusive environment for all our colleagues. We consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.

Senior People Operations Manager – EMEA in Dublin employer: Compass Group Ireland

Compass Group is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and supportive work environment for the Senior People Operations Manager – EMEA role. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide extensive learning and development programmes, flexible working options, and a range of benefits including free meals and discounts across Ireland. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion, alongside a culture that values collaboration and high performance, makes Compass Group a rewarding place to build your career in the hospitality sector.
Compass Group Ireland

Contact Detail:

Compass Group Ireland Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior People Operations Manager – EMEA in Dublin

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry on LinkedIn or at events. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Tailor your answers to show how your experience aligns with their values and goals. We want to see you shine!

Tip Number 3

Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or use online platforms. The more comfortable you are, the better you’ll perform when it counts.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can keep you top of mind and show your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it’s just good manners!

We think you need these skills to ace Senior People Operations Manager – EMEA in Dublin

Strategic Business Partnering
Team Leadership
Stakeholder Management
Employee Relations
Risk Management
Workforce Planning
Organisational Design
Compliance with Employment Legislation
Talent Development
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I)
Data Integrity in People Operations
Financial Acumen
Multi-Site HR Experience
CIPD Qualification

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Senior People Operations Manager role. Highlight your strategic business partnering and team leadership experience, as these are key for us.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've successfully managed people operations in a multi-site environment, and don’t forget to show your passion for hospitality!

Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills: In your application, emphasise your ability to work with various stakeholders. We want to see how you’ve influenced decisions and driven initiatives in previous roles, especially in complex environments.

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 this exciting opportunity with Compass Group.

How to prepare for a job interview at Compass Group Ireland

Know Your Stuff

Before the interview, dive deep into the company’s values and culture. Understand their approach to People Operations, especially in a multi-site environment. This will help you align your experience with their needs and show that you're genuinely interested.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Be ready to discuss your experience in leading teams and managing complex HR issues. Prepare specific examples of how you've developed high-performing teams and navigated challenging employee relations situations. This will demonstrate your capability as a strategic partner.

Understand the Business

Brush up on the financial aspects of HR, such as labour modelling and headcount management. Being able to speak the language of finance will impress your interviewers and show that you can contribute to the company's revenue and margin objectives.

Engage with Stakeholders

Prepare to discuss how you've successfully collaborated with various stakeholders in previous roles. Highlight your influencing skills and how you've balanced client-specific requirements with compliance. This is crucial for a role that involves matrix leadership.

Senior People Operations Manager – EMEA in Dublin
Compass Group Ireland
Location: Dublin

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