People Operations Manager - BQ SOLUTIONS QSTP-LLC in Southampton

The People Operations Manager will lead the strategic and operational delivery of the full employee lifecycle at BQ Solutions, from talent attraction and onboarding, through development and engagement, to offboarding and alumni relations. This role will ensure that all people-related processes are aligned with organisational goals, Qatar labour law, and best practice frameworks. The position is central to building a high-performance, inclusive, and compliant workplace that supports growth, operational excellence, and employee well-being.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic People Leadership
  • Design and execute the People Operations strategy in alignment with organisational objectives and national legislation.
  • Advise senior leadership on workforce planning, succession pipelines, and organisational development initiatives.
  • Support strategic projects such as ISO 30414 human capital reporting and leadership development frameworks.
• Employee Lifecycle Management
  • Oversee all stages of the employee journey, including recruitment, onboarding, performance management, career development, engagement, retention, and exit processes.
  • Ensure a positive employee experience at every stage, fostering a culture of trust, inclusion, and growth.
  • Implement data-driven interventions to enhance retention and employee satisfaction.
• Policy Development & Compliance
  • Draft, review, and enforce policies that meet Qatar labour law and internal governance standards.
  • Maintain the employee handbook, ensuring policies are accessible and clearly signposted.
  • Monitor compliance and conduct regular audits to mitigate risk.
• Talent Acquisition & Onboarding
  • Manage end-to-end recruitment for staff and consultants, promoting diverse and inclusive hiring practices.
  • Ensure structured onboarding and cultural integration programs to accelerate productivity and engagement.
• Performance & Development
  • Lead the annual performance cycle, including goal setting, appraisals, and development planning.
  • Identify capability gaps through training needs analysis and deliver targeted learning initiatives.
  • Monitor progress against development goals and succession readiness.
• Compensation, Benefits & Recognition
  • Oversee payroll inputs, allowances, and benefits administration.
  • Conduct regular remuneration benchmarking to maintain competitiveness and internal equity.
  • Implement recognition programs that reinforce organisational values and performance excellence.
• People Operations & Analytics
  • Streamline HR workflows through HRIS, automation tools, and digital reporting.
  • Maintain accurate employee records and produce regular dashboards on workforce metrics.
  • Manage leave, visa renewals, contract administration, and other operational HR processes.

Key Deliverables

• Develop and implement a comprehensive People Operations strategy aligned with organisational goals and Qatar labour law.
• Manage the full employee lifecycle from talent acquisition to offboarding, ensuring a positive and consistent employee experience.
• Deliver timely and compliant HR policies, processes, and governance frameworks that support operational excellence.
• Lead performance management cycles, talent development programs, and workforce planning initiatives.
• Provide accurate and insightful HR analytics and reports to inform strategic decision-making.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Percentage of vacancies filled within agreed time-to-hire and probation success rates.
• Employee engagement and satisfaction scores, including onboarding feedback within the first 90 days.
• Annual voluntary turnover rate and percentage of staff with completed development plans.
• On-time completion rate of performance appraisals and achievement of set objectives.
• Compliance audit results.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, or a related field; or demonstrable experience for the role with professional HR certification (e.g., CIPD, SHRM, SPHRi).
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive HR experience, with at least 5 years in a managerial role.
• Previous Military experience would be a significant advantage.
• Strong knowledge of Qatar Labour Law and relevant compliance frameworks would be an advantage.
• Experience working in consultancy, defence/security sectors, or project-based organisations is desirable.

Skills & Attributes

• Proven ability to lead across the full employee lifecycle with a strategic and data-driven approach.
• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills, able to engage at all levels of the organisation.
• High integrity, discretion, and professional judgment.
• Proficient in Microsoft 365 (Excel, PowerPoint, Word), HRIS systems, and digital workflow platforms such as Power Automate.