Head of HR Operations — 12-Month FTC (Maternity Cover)

THE OPPORTUNITY Luxury Recruit is partnering with an ambitious, founder-influenced premium-sector business in London to appoint a Head of HR Operations on a 12-month fixed-term basis, covering maternity leave. This is a genuinely high-calibre, hands-on operational leadership role — not a place-holder interim — in a lean, fast-moving, high-standards environment. It is urgent: we would ideally like the successful candidate in place within around two weeks, so immediate or short-notice availability is a strong advantage. This role is defined by range and technical depth. You will be equally at home running a disciplinary or a payroll query and shaping people strategy in a leadership-team meeting. Reporting to the HR Director, you will lead the day-to-day HR function, create calm and structure rather than process for its own sake, and provide leadership to a Senior HR Advisor. WHAT YOU'LL BRING — TECHNICAL FOUNDATION (ESSENTIAL) Strong, current, hands-on knowledge of UK employment law and the ACAS framework — able to run disciplinaries, grievances, and performance casework yourself, from first principles. Genuine, hands-on payroll oversight experience and close working with payroll providers (essential, not a nice-to-have). Strong Excel and people-data skills — analysing information, building reports, and spotting trends. Naturally structured, organised, and analytical, with real attention to detail. WHAT YOU'LL BRING — OPERATING STYLE Significant experience in a senior operational HR role in a fast-paced, commercially driven environment, comfortable across all levels and genuinely hands-on. The range to move between detailed delivery and strategic, leadership-level conversation. Commercial and pragmatic — using the rules to find the best practical route, not applying process rigidly. Credible with intelligent, demanding stakeholders; calm, resilient, low-ego, and quietly confident. Comfortable picking things up quickly with minimal handover. CIPD qualified (Level 7 preferred). Backgrounds that translate well include standalone or lean HR roles, founder-led businesses, luxury / hospitality / premium consumer, professional services, and high-growth or entrepreneurial environments. BEFORE YOU APPLY — QUICK CHECK Please only apply if you can answer YES to all of the following: Strong, current, hands-on UK employment law / ACAS knowledge — you run casework yourself. Genuine hands-on payroll oversight experience. Confident with Excel and people data. Comfortable being office-based in London each working day. Available to start within ~2 weeks (4 weeks MAX), or immediately / on short notice. Comfortable with a 12-month fixed-term contract at up to £100,000. THE PACKAGE Salary: Up to £100,000 per annum (completion bonus may be considered) Contract: 12-month fixed-term contract Working pattern: Full-time; open to 4 days/week or week-to-week flex by workload. Office-based, with informal Friday flexibility. Holiday: 25 days + bank holidays Start: Urgent — ideally within ~2 weeks; immediate / short-notice availability strongly preferred HOW TO APPLY Apply via LinkedIn, or contact Luxury Recruit in confidence at info@luxuryrecruit.com. Given the urgency, we are reviewing applications and speaking with candidates immediately. All applications are handled in strict confidence; the client's identity is shared with shortlisted candidates once mutual interest is established. Luxury Recruit is acting as an employment agency in relation to this vacancy.