People Operations Manager (Human Resources) in London

About Unseen

Unseen combines assessment technology, candidate engagement, psychometric design and recruitment support solutions to help employers deliver fair, data-driven, high-impact recruitment experiences and insights. We are entering the next stage of growth, with ambitious plans to acquire and integrate multiple companies into the Group, transitioning them from standalone organisations into our centralised operating model.

As our first HR hire, you will ensure we have the structures, systems and frameworks needed to support our growing, acquisitive business. Reporting to the Group COO, you will have the support of an open and forward-thinking leadership team behind you, as you shape and deliver a commercially focused people strategy.

This role is a hands-on standalone position in the first instance, and you will be solely responsible for delivering the HR function in the immediate term. You should be commercially driven and comfortable in taking full ownership of both strategic and day-to-day HR activity in a fast-moving environment.

We're a remote friendly company, with offices in Manchester and London, and employees working globally. We're open to remote or hybrid candidates, but must be UK based.

HR Operations and Systems

• Develop and implement a HR strategy aligned to business objectives and growth plans
• Adopt a technology-first, data-driven mindset, using AI agents to make your job easier - designing workflows that improve employee experience from on-boarding to off-boarding, sentiment insights, people analytics, and organisation of internal knowledge
• Own and manage HR systems and ensure accurate employee data, documentation and reporting
• Manage HR budgets and partner with Finance on renumeration governance, budgeting, payroll and compensation structure
• Lead on major HR projects as the organisation grows and changes (e.g. TUPE process, HR systems transformation etc)

Employee Relations

• Act as a trusted point of contact for employee HR queries and support
• Act as the lead on all employee relations matters and issues, providing expert guidance and ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory expectations
• Support the COO in HR related due diligence of target acquisitions, including contract and policy reviews and the assessment of organisational structures, roles and resource requirements
• Support in change management processes, during periods of restructure and transition
• Support the HR aspects of integration, including contracts, policies, processes and cultural alignment

Talent Acquisition

• Support in organisational design and workforce planning across the Group
• Partner with leadership and hiring managers to identify current and future hiring needs
• Leverage AI agents and digital tools to assess, optimise and reduce reliance on manual people processes and resourcing
• Implement consistent, high-quality processes - supporting across the full employee lifecycle, including hiring, onboarding and off-boarding
• Manage relationships with external recruitment partners and hiring platforms where necessary

Performance, Engagement and Development

• Own compensation architecture - pay bands, benchmarking, total rewards
• Design and implement performance management frameworks and review processes, as well as succession planning and leadership development
• Support in the development and delivery of learning and development programmes aligned to business needs

Proven experience operating as a standalone HR lead, with full ownership of the function. Experience building and evolving HR structures and processes in a scaling environment. Experience working in remote friendly, agile, fast-paced environments. Strong knowledge of employment law and employee relations. Demonstrated experience building and implementing people strategies aligned to business growth. Strong communication and relationship-building skills. Remote-friendly working ~ 40 days annual leave ~ Flexible benefits package with monthly allowance ~ Company pension.