People Operations Manager · London

About Walr

Walr is the service‑first data collection company built for the fast and the ambitious. Founded in 2020, we exist to elevate the role of the market researcher. Not by adding more tools to manage, but by taking away the operational heavy lifting, so teams can focus on what really matters: insight, impact, and confidence. What sets Walr apart is relentless speed, obsessive service, and dedicated experts. We are a relay race team - high‑performance, high‑trust, interconnected. We pass the baton flawlessly, anticipate the next move, and never drop the ball.

The Role

We’re looking for a People Operations Manager to take ownership of the day‑to‑day people experience across the business. This role sits at the heart of how we support our team, from hiring and onboarding, to performance, engagement, and employee wellbeing. You’ll be the person who makes sure our people processes actually work in practice, not just on paper. That means balancing empathy with structure, being comfortable handling sensitive situations, and helping managers do right by their teams.

Salary: £50,000 - £55,000 per annum (depending on experience)

Responsibilities

• Own core people process across the employee lifecycle (onboarding, performance reviews, progression, exits).
• Be a first point of contact for employee questions and issues, handling them with care, confidentiality, and good judgement.
• Maintain accurate employee records and ensure data is handled correctly.
• Partner closely with managers to support performance conversations, role changes, and people challenges.
• Coach managers on best practice, policies, and employment basics.
• Help managers build strong, inclusive, and high‑performing teams.
• Keep people policies up to date and practical.
• Ensure compliance with employment law and internal standards.
• Manage employee relations issues fairly and consistently, escalating when needed.
• Support recruitment processes alongside hiring managers.
• Ensure new starters have a smooth, welcoming onboarding experience.
• Continuously improve how we attract and integrate talent.

Skills & Experience

• Proven experience in a People Operations, HR Manager, or similar role.
• Strong working knowledge of employment law and HR best practice.
• Confidence handling sensitive conversations and complex people issues.
• Highly organised, with strong attention to detail.
• Approachable, pragmatic, and comfortable working with people at all levels.
• Able to balance empathy with consistency and fairness.
• Exposure to HR systems and people analytics.
• CIPD qualification or equivalent experience.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

We’re building a workplace that works for everyone. We know that teams thrive when they bring together different voices, backgrounds, and perspectives — so we’re actively working to make sure everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. Whether it’s how we hire, grow talent, or shape our culture, inclusion is at the heart of what we do. If you’re passionate, curious, and ready to make an impact, you belong here.

What We Value

• We Delight through Dedication: We go the extra mile for our customers. We’re proactive, solutions‑focused, and relentless in our pursuit of great service. If something’s not working, we fix it. Fast.
• We Lead with Trust: We trust each other to make smart decisions – using data, yes, but also judgement, empathy and integrity. We act like true partners, not passengers.
• We Revel in Innovation: We think differently. Whether it’s new tech, new ways of working or better experiences for clients – we’re not afraid to challenge the status quo. Progress matters more than perfection.
• We Celebrate as a Team: We share wins, give credit freely, and support each other through the tough stuff. We show up with curiosity, humility, and a belief that we’re better together.
• We Are Empowered to Act Like Owners: We take responsibility, even when it’s not in our job description. We make bold calls, stay accountable, and keep the bigger picture in mind.