HR Operations Manager

We are seeking to appoint a pragmatic and detail-oriented HR Operations Manager to lead and develop efficient, compliant and accurate delivery of all HR operations across the Trust. The successful candidate will provide day-to-day operational leadership of the transactional side of the HR Shared Services team, driving high standards across recruitment, onboarding, contracts, payroll, employment changes, and HR compliance.

The HR Operations Manager will oversee end-to-end recruitment and onboarding processes, ensuring vacancies are progressed efficiently, managers are supported effectively, and candidates receive timely, professional communication. Strong operational oversight and assurance will be central to the role, with responsibility for maintaining resilient workflows, monitoring service delivery, and strengthening processes, templates and guidance to improve quality and consistency.

Compliance with safer recruitment requirements, Trust policies and GDPR will be crucial, with risks escalated appropriately. The postholder will lead the effective implementation, use and development of the Trust’s HR systems (HR MIS), ensuring high-quality workforce data and producing workforce reports and dashboards to support decision‑making. They will also lead system improvements, upgrades and integrations (including with payroll) to enhance efficiency and data accuracy.

An effective and collaborative leader, the HR Operations Manager will line‑manage HR Advisors and the Payroll Advisor, providing clear direction, performance management, and professional development. They will monitor and balance workloads to ensure resilience, business continuity and a high‑performing HR service for the whole Trust. They will also work with HR Partners and the Chief People Officer to support Trust‑wide people strategies, policy implementation and improvement initiatives.

About You

The successful candidate will be CIPD Level 5 qualified with substantial experience in HR operations, administration or recruitment. They will be 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‑planning, 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 represents 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. Both organisations shared a clear ambition - to grow our families of schools, extend the impact of our work, and ensure more children, families and communities could benefit from high‑quality education.

We recognise that by coming together, we will create a larger organisation with greater capacity to deliver exceptional learning experiences, strengthen school improvement, and contribute more meaningfully to the wider education system. From 1 September 2026, we will comprise 12 academies, supporting children and young people from early years through to Post 16. We treat people with care and compassion, building belonging, and hold high expectations because everyone matters. We recognise that our people are our greatest strength, and as such, we offer a comprehensive suite of benefits as part of our commitment to wellbeing and professional growth.

Place Partnership is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. 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.