HEAD OF HR OPERATIONS (12-MONTH FTC) — LONDON
Experts in Luxury (EIL), on behalf of a confidential client
THE OPPORTUNITY
Experts in Luxury (EIL) is partnering with an ambitious, founder-influenced premium-sector business in London to appoint a Head of HR Operations for a 12-month fixed-term contract, covering maternity leave.
This is a genuinely high-calibre, hands-on operational leadership role — not a place-holder interim. You’ll own the day-to-day running of the HR function in a lean, fast-moving, high-standards environment, with real autonomy and direct exposure to senior leadership. It’s a role for someone who enjoys being the person who makes things work: bringing calm, structure, and sound judgement rather than process for its own sake.
What makes it interesting is the range. One moment you’re advising on a complex employee-relations case or reviewing a payroll query; the next you’re in a leadership-team conversation shaping people strategy. Reporting to the HR Director, you’ll lead day-to-day HR and provide leadership to a Senior HR Advisor.
THE ROLE
- Lead day-to-day HR operations across the full employee lifecycle.
- Own employee relations and casework — disciplinaries, grievances, and performance — grounded in current UK employment law and ACAS best practice.
- Oversee payroll, working closely with providers to ensure accurate, compliant monthly processing.
- Improve HR policies, processes, and systems, and use people data to support decisions.
- Advise and coach managers and senior stakeholders, handling sensitive matters with discretion.
BE A STRONG FIT IF YOU…
- Have solid, current employment-law and ER knowledge and are comfortable running casework hands-on rather than delegating it.
- Bring genuine payroll oversight experience and are confident working with payroll providers.
- Are analytical and organised, with good Excel and people-data skills and real attention to detail.
- Have operated in a senior, hands-on HR role in a fast-paced, commercially driven environment — comfortable moving between operational detail and strategic conversation.
- Are calm, pragmatic, low-ego, and credible with demanding stakeholders.
- Are CIPD qualified (Level 7 ideal, though strong hands-on experience matters most).
Backgrounds that translate well include standalone or lean HR roles, founder-led and entrepreneurial businesses, luxury / hospitality / premium consumer, and professional services. If you’re a strong match on most of the above, we’d encourage you to apply.
THE DETAIL
- Contract: 12-month fixed-term
- Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience (completion bonus considered)
- Working pattern: Full-time; open to four days a week or week-to-week flex by workload. Office-based in London, with informal Friday flexibility.
- Holiday: 25 days plus bank holidays
- Start: This is an urgent hire — ideally within around two to four weeks, so short-notice or immediate availability is a real advantage.
HOW TO APPLY
Apply via LinkedIn, or contact Experts in Luxury (EIL) in confidence at info@luxuryrecruit.com. Given the urgency, we’re reviewing applications and speaking with candidates on a rolling basis. All applications are handled in strict confidence; the client’s identity is shared with shortlisted candidates once mutual interest is established.
Experts in Luxury (EIL) is acting as an employment agency in relation to this vacancy.
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