At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and transform People Operations across the UK and EU, driving operational excellence.
- Company: Join PIMCO, a global leader in active fixed income with a diverse and inclusive culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive workplace, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a focus on collaboration, continuous improvement, and career advancement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by leading innovative HR initiatives and embracing cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: 8-12 years in HR operations with strong experience in multi-country environments.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
PIMCO is a global leader in active fixed income with deep expertise across public and private markets. We invest our clients’ capital across a range of fixed income and credit opportunities, leveraging our decades of experience navigating complex debt markets. Our flexible capital base and deep relationships with issuers have helped us become one of the world’s largest providers of traditional and nontraditional solutions for companies that need financing and investors who seek strong risk-adjusted returns. Since 1971, our people have shaped our organization through a high-performance inclusive culture, in which we celebrate diverse thinking. We invest in our people and strive to imprint our CORE values of Collaboration, Openness, Responsibility and Excellence. We believe each of us is here to help others succeed and this has led to PIMCO being recognized as an innovator, industry thought leader and trusted advisor to our clients.
Role Overview
The EMEA People Operations Lead / Manager is a “player‑coach” responsible for driving operational excellence, transformation, and scalable HR service delivery across the UK and EU in addition to leading a team. This role serves as the regional expert for People Operations (POPs), owning execution of end‑to‑end employee lifecycle processes while also leading complex transformation initiatives, including AI and automation, case and knowledge management, regulatory programs (SMCR), and cross‑functional change. The ideal candidate brings deep hands‑on HR operations experience, thrives in ambiguity, and is comfortable both designing the solution and doing the work. This role partners closely with HR Business Partners (HRBP), functional teams, business groups (Compliance, Legal, Technology), and Global POPs colleagues to deliver consistent, compliant, and data‑driven outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
- Operational Excellence & Regional Ownership
- Serve as the People Operations subject‑matter expert for the UK and EU, owning regional execution, risk management, and operational consistency.
- Lead and personally execute end‑to‑end employee lifecycle transactions, including onboarding, role changes, extensions, transfers, exits, and special employment scenarios.
- Ensure operational excellence across service delivery, timeliness, accuracy, employee experience, and compliance.
- Act as a senior escalation point for complex or sensitive operational matters.
- Case & Knowledge Management
- Own and continuously improve case management processes, including intake models, escalation paths, SLAs, and quality standards.
- Lead knowledge management strategy and execution, ensuring documentation is accurate, accessible, governed, and actively maintained.
- Personally document and update process flows, decision trees, SOPs, and controls, not delegating documentation as an afterthought.
- HR Transformation, Automation & Enablement
- Lead and deliver HR transformation initiatives, including process redesign, automation, and digitization across the employee lifecycle.
- Drive adoption of AI‑enabled solutions and workflow automation to reduce manual effort, improve quality, and scale service delivery.
- Partner with Technology teams on enhancements to Workday, ServiceNow, and supporting tools.
- Regulatory & Risk Programs (SMCR)
- Lead and/or execute the UK SMCR HR operations program, including annual cycles, coordination with Compliance and HRBPs, process documentation, and audit readiness.
- Ensure EMEA employment operations are compliant with local regulatory, employment, and controls requirements.
- Maintain defensible documentation and data integrity to support audits and regulatory reviews.
- Cross‑Functional Project Delivery
- Deliver complex, cross‑functional projects spanning HR, Compliance, Legal, Finance, Technology, and external vendors.
- Translate regulatory, business, or people requirements into clear operational solutions.
- Manage multiple workstreams simultaneously with strong prioritization and execution discipline.
- Data, Insights & Decision Support
- Leverage operational data, metrics, and trends to identify risks, inefficiencies, and improvement opportunities.
- Build and use dashboards, reporting, and analytics to drive decision‑making and influence stakeholders.
- Move the function from activity‑based reporting to outcomes‑based insights.
- Player‑Coach Leadership
- Act as a hands‑on contributor and people leader, balancing execution with coaching and development of team members.
- Set a high bar for accountability, quality, and follow‑through.
- Foster a culture of ownership, continuous improvement, and operational rigor.
Required Experience & Capabilities
- 8–12+ years of progressive experience in People Operations or HR Operations, supporting end‑to‑end employee lifecycle activities in a multi‑country, regulated environment.
- Demonstrated experience serving as a regional operations lead or expert, with deep exposure to UK and EU employment operations (e.g., running or supporting SMCR or similar regulatory HR programs in the UK).
- Proven experience balancing business‑as‑usual execution and leading HR transformation initiatives, including automation, AI, or large‑scale process redesign.
- Strong hands‑on experience with Workday, ServiceNow, or equivalent HR platforms.
- Deep knowledge of employee lifecycle operations across the UK and EU.
- Experience designing and running case management and knowledge management frameworks.
- Exceptional execution skills with the ability to manage multiple competing priorities.
- Comfortable operating at both strategic and tactical levels.
- Strong stakeholder management and cross‑functional influencing skills.
- Clear, structured communicator with strong documentation discipline.
Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Statement
PIMCO recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, national origin, ancestry, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity and expression), age, military or veteran status, disability (physical or mental), any factor prohibited by law, and as such affirms in policy and practice to support and promote the concept of equal employment opportunity and affirmative action, in accordance with all applicable federal, state, provincial and municipal laws. The company also prohibits discrimination on other basis such as medical condition, or marital status under applicable laws.
Applicants with Disabilities
PIMCO is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. We provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities, including veterans, in job application procedures. If you have any difficulty using our online system due to a disability and you would like to request an accommodation, you may contact us at 949-720-7744 and leave a message. This is a dedicated line designed exclusively to assist job seekers with disabilities to apply online. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.
People Operations Regional Lead/Manager (EMEA) in London employer: PIMCO
PIMCO is an exceptional employer that fosters a high-performance inclusive culture, where diverse thinking is celebrated and employee growth is prioritised. With a commitment to operational excellence and innovation, particularly in the EMEA region, employees benefit from a collaborative environment that encourages professional development through hands-on leadership and transformative HR initiatives. The company's dedication to its CORE values of Collaboration, Openness, Responsibility, and Excellence ensures that every team member feels valued and empowered to contribute meaningfully to our clients' success.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land People Operations Regional Lead/Manager (EMEA) in London
✨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 PIMCO!
✨Leverage Your University Connections
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.
✨Showcase Your HR Passion
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 PIMCO.
We think you need these skills to ace People Operations Regional Lead/Manager (EMEA) in London
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 PIMCO. 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 PIMCO 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 PIMCO. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to PIMCO'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 PIMCO
✨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 PIMCO.
✨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 PIMCO 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 PIMCO and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
