At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and enhance people operations, ensuring a positive employee experience across the organisation.
- Company: Join Lanes Group, a leading utility services provider with a commitment to innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive environment with a focus on employee development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in shaping a positive workplace and driving operational excellence.
- Qualifications: Experience in HR operations and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Lanes Group is a leading nationwide utility services provider with over 4,500 dedicated employees. Our diverse subsidiaries drive our success across various sectors, contributing to a remarkable turnover of over £500 million. We are committed to excellence and innovation, ensuring we provide industry leading services to our clients and stakeholders.
Purpose of the role: The People Operations Manager leads the delivery of high-quality, compliant, and customer-focused people operations across the organisation. The role is accountable for the effective running of People Operations our HR shared services, ensuring consistency, efficiency, and a positive employee experience throughout the employee lifecycle.
Operating across multiple sites, the People Operations Manager leads the People Operations team, acts as the primary escalation point for complex operational people matters, serving as a subject matter expert (SME) and escalation point for People Advisors, offering expert guidance on first-line management queries and supporting the effective resolution of low-level employee relations cases.
Working closely with the People Business Partners, Employee Relations, Centres of Excellence, and People Data & Governance teams, the role balances operational efficiency, risk management, and employee advocacy while ensuring people processes enable business performance at scale.
Key responsibilities:
- Lead the day-to-day delivery of People Operations / HR Shared Services, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, consistency, and legal compliance.
- Oversee core people processes including recruitment administration, onboarding, employee lifecycle changes, leavers, records management, and benefits administration, ensuring alignment with UK employment law and internal policy.
- Ensure a consistent employee and manager experience across all People Operations touchpoints while managing risk appropriately.
- Act as the operational and employment law escalation point for People Advisors and People Operations Coordinators on complex queries, cases, issues, or exceptions to process.
- Lead, motivate, and develop a high-performing People Operations team, creating a positive and service-led culture.
- Build employment law capability, best practice and confidence within the team through coaching, quality assurance, and knowledge sharing.
- Set clear objectives, monitor performance, and provide regular feedback, coaching, and development support.
- Ensure team capability, capacity, and skill levels align with business demands, service expectations, and compliance requirements.
- Foster accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the team.
- Ensure people operations processes are compliant with UK employment law, GDPR, and internal policy.
- Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, quality, and employee experience through standardisation and continuous improvement.
- Develop, maintain, and embed clear procedures, service standards, and knowledge resources.
- Work with HR systems owners and providers to optimise HR technology and data quality.
- Monitor People Operations performance using KPIs, SLAs, and service metrics.
- Analyse trends, volumes, risks, and bottlenecks to inform resourcing and improvement activity.
- Provide regular reporting and operational insight to the People & Culture leadership team.
- Act as a subject-matter expert for people operations data and process insight.
- Work closely with HR Business Partners to ensure seamless end-to-end delivery of people support aligned to business needs.
- Work closely with People Data, Governance & Project teams to ensure people operations activity is supported by accurate data, robust governance, and effective delivery of people-related projects and change initiatives.
- Partner with ER to support complex or sensitive cases through accurate, compliant process execution.
- Collaborate with Centres of Excellence, Payroll, L&D, and Recruitment to ensure joined-up people services.
- Support people-related change activity (e.g. restructures, mobilisations, TUPE, M&A) from an operational readiness and delivery perspective.
- Ensure fair, consistent, and transparent application of people policies and procedures.
- Maintain high standards of confidentiality, ethical practice, and data security.
- Balance operational efficiency with employee advocacy and experience.
- Proactively identify and mitigate operational people risks, escalating where appropriate.
Required Skills & Competencies:
- Proven People Operations / HR Shared Services leadership experience.
- Strong operational, organisational, and service delivery capability.
- In-depth knowledge of UK employment law and HR operational processes.
- Experience leading teams in a high-volume, complex environment.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to use data to drive improvement.
- Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and influencing skills.
Required: Significant experience in a People Operations, HR Operations, or HR Shared Services management role. Experience working within a complex, multi-site organisation. Proven ability to balance compliance, efficiency, and employee experience. Experience supporting workforce change activity from an operational perspective. Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business, or related field; CIPD Level 5 qualification preferred.
Living the Company Values: By embedding our companies core values and purpose into each role, ensures that every employee, regardless of their role or level, understands how their individual development and contributions align with our purpose of ‘improving today for a better tomorrow’.
Your Contribution to the company:
- Strive to be always positive and constructive
- Adhere to all company policies
- Straight talking about the facts of the situation – open discussions are the best way to find solutions
- Help others through communicating clearly
- Deliver on commitments
- Ensure that any ideas that may enhance the productivity or systems of the company are brought to the attention of Senior Management, or your colleagues
- Deliver our Company Values understanding that by working together in unity we are ‘Stronger Together’
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion: At Lanes Group, we are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered. We believe that our differences make us stronger and are committed to providing equal opportunities for all employees. We welcome and encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those from underrepresented groups. Join us in our commitment to creating a more inclusive and diverse world.
People Operations Manager in Leeds employer: Lanes Group
Lanes Group is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee growth and a positive work culture, making it an ideal place for a People Operations Manager. With a commitment to excellence and innovation, employees benefit from comprehensive training, a supportive team environment, and opportunities for career advancement across multiple sites. The company's dedication to equity, diversity, and inclusion ensures that every employee feels valued and empowered, contributing to a rewarding and meaningful workplace experience.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land People Operations Manager in Leeds
✨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!
✨Make Your Presence Known
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 Lanes Group!
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If you’re a recent grad or still in uni, tap into your career services and alumni network. Many universities have connections with companies looking for HR talent, so get those leads and apply through our website for a smoother application process.
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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 Lanes Group.
We think you need these skills to ace People Operations Manager in Leeds
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 Lanes Group. 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 Lanes Group 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 Lanes Group. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Lanes Group'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 Lanes Group
✨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 Lanes Group.
✨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 Lanes Group 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.
✨Stay Current with HR Trends
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 Lanes Group and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
