HR Operations Manager

Contract: Full-time, permanent

Team: EMEA Human Resources – Shared Services

Office Location: Sheffield, UK

The role:

We’re looking for an experienced HR Operations Manager to lead our HR shared services function across Europe, while helping shape and scale our model to support future growth in the Middle East and Africa (MEA). This is a broad, high-impact role where you’ll set direction and drive improvement but also stay close to delivery. You’ll lead a strong team, optimise processes, and ensure HR Operations run smoothly day-to-day and deliver a positive employee experience.

What your day will look like:

• Lead the HR Operations function across Europe, ensuring a high-quality, consistent and responsive service
• Play a key role in shaping a scalable HR Operations model to support expansion into MEA
• Own end-to-end service delivery, balancing strategic oversight with hands-on involvement where needed
• Lead and develop a high-performing HR Operations team
• Drive standardisation, simplification and continuous improvement across HR processes
• Partner with HRIS and technology teams to enhance systems, data flows and self-service capability
• Use data and service metrics (SLAs, KPIs) to monitor performance and identify opportunities for improvement
• Build strong relationships across HR, Finance and the wider business
• Oversee key operational activities and vendor-managed services, including UK payroll, ensuring accuracy, compliance and effective governance

The team:

You’ll lead a collaborative and highly connected HR Operations team of 6 based across Sheffield and Kochi, bringing together a mix of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. The team plays a central role in supporting the wider HR function and is known for its strong service focus, supportive culture and willingness to continuously improve how we work.

HR Operations partners closely with HR Managers and Centres of Excellence across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, making this a genuinely international role with exposure to a wide range of teams, stakeholders and ways of working. It’s a collaborative environment where knowledge-sharing, teamwork and supporting each other are a big part of how we work day-to-day.

What we are looking for:

Essential criteria:

• Proven experience leading HR Operations or Shared Services in a multi-country environment, ideally within EMEA
• Strong understanding of HR service delivery, process improvement and operational excellence
• Working knowledge of UK payroll processes and vendor-managed service environments
• A hands-on leadership style - you’re comfortable getting into the detail when needed
• Confidence working with HR systems (ideally Workday) and using data to drive decisions
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills in a matrix environment
• A proactive, solutions-focused mindset with a drive to improve how things work

Preferred skills:

• Exposure to MEA or scaling into new regions is a plus
• CIPD or relevant HR qualification

What we offer:

A career at Fragomen will provide you with the opportunity to work in an exciting environment for a broad range of clients, where no two days will be the same. You will face interesting challenges, and will work with dedicated, friendly and ambitious people, where providing exceptional client service is at the core of what we do. We are extremely proud of our workforce at Fragomen, and we are fully committed to providing equal opportunities.

At Fragomen, we value our employees and are committed to providing a comprehensive benefits package that supports your well-being and professional growth. Our UK offerings include:

• Competitive Salary: We offer salaries that reflect your skills and experience
• Health and Wellness: A comprehensive employee assistance programme, gym discounts, medical insurance, Headspace membership and wellbeing platforms
• Lifestyle and Savings: Discount platforms, cycle to work scheme, electric car lease scheme, season ticket loans and family support resources
• Protection and Security: Life assurance, group income protection and a workplace pension scheme including a 5% employer contribution
• Time Away from Work: 25 days annual leave, + bank holidays and 3 personal leave days. Enhanced family leave policies, volunteering days and birthday leave
• Professional Development: Access to our e-learning platform, mentoring schemes and training bursaries (where applicable)
• Hybrid Work Arrangements: The Firm operates a global hybrid working policy which supports flexibility. Depending on your role, you can agree with your manager a minimum of two days per week working in your local office. Flexibility is important, and additional days in the office may be required based on your role, and / or team and business need

What to expect:

Once you have submitted your application, our Talent Acquisition team will review your skills and experience. If these match the requirements of the position, a member of our team will contact you to schedule an initial phone call. If shortlisted, you will be invited to participate in our interview process, which will consist of at least two stages, one of which will be conducted in-person. Depending on the role, you may also be required to complete a written assessment. After the interviews, we will carefully evaluate all candidates and make our final decision. You will be notified of the outcome and feedback will be provided.

At Fragomen, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible workplace for all applicants and employees. If you require any specific accommodations or support during the interview process, please let us know, and we will consider what reasonable adjustments are possible to meet your needs.

Who we are:

At Fragomen, we are more than a global immigration services provider – we are pioneers shaping the future of mobility. With a passion for navigating the complexities of immigration, we help individuals and businesses transcend borders, unlocking opportunities around the world. As a forward-thinking, global business, we combine deep expertise with innovative technology to craft solutions that not only simplify the immigration process but also drive strategic success for our clients. Whether it is assisting multinational companies or helping people start new chapters in their lives, we are driven by the belief that global movement is the key to unlocking a world of possibilities.

We are proud of our team spirit, and we like to reflect this in the way that we work and everything we do. Our Responsible Business Practices ("RBP") prioritize Fragomen's social responsibility through a cohesive strategy covering five key focus areas: Corporate Social Responsibility, Culture and Inclusion, Sustainability, Well-Being and Pro Bono. Our RBP initiatives offer great opportunities for everyone at Fragomen to feel included, get involved and shape thoughtful initiatives and activities.

Fragomen is committed to promoting equal opportunities for all employees and applicants, regardless of race, ethnicity, heritage, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or intersex status.

All offers and/or employment contracts are contingent upon the successful completion of the Firm’s pre-employment screening process. This process may include verifying the candidate’s identity, confirming legal authorization to work in the offered position’s location, and conducting a comprehensive background check, where permitted by local regulations. We use limited AI‑assisted tools for administrative screening purposes only - never for decision‑making. All hiring decisions are made by people. Applicants may have rights to information and explanations regarding the use of such tools, or request human review, as required by applicable regional laws.