Human Resources Operations Manager in City of London

Interim HR Operations Manager (fixed term contract)

Location: London. 5 days in-office requirement.

Type: Fixed term contract requiring an immediate start with an initial contract duration until 31st December 2026 (with potential extension).

Salary: Up to £100,000 FTE + £10,000 completion bonus plus desirable benefits.

The Opportunity

Middlemore have been retained by a high-performing, international financial services business to recruit an Interim HR Operations Manager to take ownership of HR operations, supporting an international population, during a key transition phase, including the go-live and embedding of a new HR system (Workday).

This is a hands-on role where you will lead day-to-day HR operations for the business, managing a small team of direct reports who are split between the UK and an international location.

The Role

Reporting to the Global People Operations Director you will be responsible for delivering a high-quality HR service across a population of c. 750 employees globally. You will lead a small, distributed team and act as the central point of coordination and escalation for all HR operational activity.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading HR operations and administration across the full employee lifecycle
• Managing and developing a team of HR Advisors/Administrators (UK and offshore)
• Allocating work, setting priorities, and maintaining service standards
• Acting as the key escalation point for HR operational issues
• Overseeing onboarding, benefits administration, and monthly onboarding events
• Managing right-to-work, visas, relocation, and mobility processes
• Ensuring compliance with data protection, audit, and control requirements
• Managing and optimising the performance of an offshore HR provider
• Supporting the transition to Workday (cutover, training, documentation, and process embedding)
• Contributing to process improvement and documentation as the function evolves

The Environment

This is not a traditional, process-led HR operations role as it requires a high degree of flexibility and a solutions-driven mindset. The function currently operates in a:

• High-touch environment with bespoke requests - requiring a flexible and pragmatic approach
• Fast-paced setting with shifting priorities
• Context where processes are evolving and not always fully defined

Success in this role will come from your ability to bring a degree of structure, and sound judgement without over-engineering processes.

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for a pragmatic, delivery-focused HR Operations Manager who thrives in dynamic environments. You will bring:

• Strong HR Operations experience within an SME or mid-sized business
• Proven experience managing small HR teams (including offshore or third-party providers)
• Hands-on experience with Workday (essential)
• A track record of operating effectively in fast-paced, evolving environments
• Strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to build trust quickly
• High attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities at pace

Highly desirable:

• Financial services experience (e.g. asset / investment management, boutique banking, Private Equity or similar)
• Experience in a high-performing entrepreneurial environment

This Role May Not Suit You If:

• You prefer highly structured, process-driven environments
• You require clearly defined scope and stable priorities
• You are not comfortable operating with ambiguity or managing competing demands
• You do not thrive working closely with key business leaders, and HR Business Partner colleagues

If this is something of interest please apply or reach out directly to Jenna.Stocks@middlemore.co.uk