At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead HR operations and drive service excellence across multiple hubs.
- Company: Join Place Partnership, a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to education and wellbeing.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, and extensive professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working across hubs with a focus on collaboration and growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on HR processes and support the education of young people.
- Qualifications: CIPD Level 5 qualified with experience in HR operations and recruitment.
The predicted salary is between 47665 - 47665 £ per year.
Place Partnership is seeking to appoint a dynamic, experienced and forward-thinking HR Operations Manager to lead the delivery of high-quality HR operations across our West (Wakefield) and South (Rotherham) Hubs. This is an exciting opportunity for a proactive HR professional to drive service excellence, lead operational improvement, and support organisational change.
The successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring the Trust continues to provide a responsive, compliant, and professional HR service that supports its strategic objective of empowering colleagues to deliver exceptional educational experiences. Working closely with leaders across the organisation, they will lead continuous improvement initiatives, streamline processes, and embed best practice to meet the evolving needs of academies and Shared Service teams across the Trust.
A key aspect of the role will be overseeing the end-to-end recruitment and onboarding journey, ensuring an efficient and effective recruitment service, and providing high-quality support for managers. Strong operational leadership and assurance will be central to the role, with responsibility for effective workflows, high service standards, performance monitoring, and identifying opportunities to enhance processes and guidance.
A focus on compliance with safer recruitment requirements, Trust policies and GDPR will be essential, with risks proactively managed and escalated where appropriate. The postholder will lead the effective implementation and optimisation of the Trust's HR systems (HR MIS), ensuring the accuracy of workforce data and delivering meaningful workforce insights through reports and dashboards that support informed decision-making.
Working collaboratively with colleagues, the ideal candidate will line manage HR Advisors and the Payroll Advisor, providing effective leadership and development opportunities to support individual and team success. They will contribute to the delivery of Trust-wide people strategies, support the implementation of policies and procedures, and lead initiatives that enhance organisational effectiveness and the employee experience.
About You
The successful candidate will be:
- CIPD Level 5 qualified with substantial experience in HR operations, administration or recruitment.
- Pragmatic and solutions-focused, with sound judgement and the confidence to drive decisions.
- Process-minded and improvement-led, spotting inefficiencies and driving simple, user-friendly ways of working.
- Collaborative and relationship-driven, building productive working links across HR, payroll, finance and academies.
- Proactive and forward-thinking, anticipating pinch points and putting cross-cover and workflow controls in place.
- Digitally confident and data-aware, comfortable working with HR systems and using insight to improve service delivery.
- Highly organised and methodical, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, ensure attention to detail and meet tight deadlines.
- Professional, discreet, and able to handle highly confidential information with integrity.
About Place Partnership
This is an exciting opportunity to join a forward-thinking and ambitious organisation, driven by a genuine passion for the wellbeing, care, and education of young people. Place Partnership was formed in September 2026 following the voluntary merger of two strong and successful Trusts in South and West Yorkshire: Maltby Learning Trust, established in 2014, and Accord Multi Academy Trust, founded in 2016.
At the heart of Place Partnership is a commitment to building a culture where people feel valued, take pride in their place, and hold high expectations because everyone matters. At Place Partnership we are dedicated to providing high-quality education which ensures that every child is given the opportunity to achieve their full potential. We invest in our people through extensive professional learning and development opportunities, and we recognise that our people are our greatest strength.
As such, we offer a comprehensive suite of benefits as part of our commitment to well-being and professional growth. Here are a few examples of employee benefits that focus on our employees' Financial, Physical and Mental Wellbeing:
- Membership to either the Teachers’ Pension Scheme or the Local Government Pension Scheme.
- 31 days annual leave per annum plus bank holidays, increasing to 33 days plus bank holidays after 5 years’ service and 34 days plus bank holidays after 10 years service.
- Technology scheme via SmartTech.
- Access to an extensive discounts platform via ‘Place Plus.’
- Access to an industry leading Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
- 24/7 access to an online GP or Advanced Nurse Practitioner through Corporate Paid Healthcare Cash Plans.
- Access to health and wellbeing services, with the ability to claim money back for essential healthcare such as prescriptions, optical and dental care through Corporate Paid Healthcare Cash Plans.
- Cycle to Work Scheme.
- Free, on-site parking at every site.
- Trained Mental Health First Aiders in all our settings.
Visits are warmly welcomed and can be arranged. For further details regarding this opportunity, for an informal discussion regarding the role or to arrange a visit, please do not hesitate to contact lbinks@placepartnership.com. The role may be based in either our Wakefield hub or our South Hub in Rotherham with an expectation to work flexibly across both hubs for line management arrangements and collaboration.
Closing Date: Monday 23 November 2026 at 9:00am Interviews are expected to take place on: Tuesday 01 December 2026.
Place Partnership is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and checks of the relevant barred list / prohibition lists. Place Partnership is committed to providing a culture of inclusion, respect and equity of opportunity that attracts, supports, and retains high quality colleagues from all backgrounds and across all job roles.
Candidates will always be shortlisted based on the content of application against the job description and essential criteria without access to the personal details information. Based on the quality and quantity of applications received, Place Partnership reserves the right to interview sooner than the specified dates above. Applicants will be notified of this where possible. Therefore, early applications are encouraged.
HR Operations Manager employer: Leeds City Council
Leeds City Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee development and community engagement. With a competitive salary, generous pension contributions, and a commitment to diversity, employees can thrive in a role that not only enhances their career but also contributes positively to the local environment and community well-being.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land HR Operations Manager
✨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 Leeds City Council!
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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 Leeds City Council.
We think you need these skills to ace HR Operations Manager
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 Leeds City Council. 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 Leeds City Council 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 Leeds City Council. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Leeds City Council'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 Leeds City Council
✨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 Leeds City Council.
✨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 Leeds City Council 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 Leeds City Council and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
