Interim HR Operations Manager (fixed term contract)
Location: London. 5 days in-office requirement.
Type: Fixed term contract requiring an immediate start with an initial contract duration until 31st December 2026 (with potential extension)
Salary: Up to £80,000 + £10,000 completion bonus plus desirable benefits.
The Opportunity
Middlemore have been retained by a high-performing, international financial services business to recruit an Interim HR Operations Advisor to take ownership of HR operations, supporting an international population.
This is a hands-on role where you will be responsible for day-to-day HR operations for the business.
The Role
Reporting to the Global People Operations Director you will be responsible for delivering a high-quality HR service across a population of c. 750 employees globally.
Key responsibilities include:
- HR operations and administration across the full employee lifecycle
- Working with a team of HR Advisors/Administrators (UK and offshore)
- Allocating work, setting priorities, and maintaining service standards
- Acting as the key escalation point for HR operational issues
- Overseeing onboarding, benefits administration, and monthly onboarding events
- Managing right-to-work, visas, relocation, and mobility processes
- Ensuring compliance with data protection, audit, and control requirements
- Managing and optimising the performance of an offshore HR provider
- Supporting the transition to Workday
- Contributing to process improvement and documentation as the function evolves
The Environment
This is not a traditional, process-led HR operations role as it requires a high degree of flexibility and a solutions-driven mindset.
The function currently operates in a:
- High-touch environment with bespoke requests - requiring a flexible and pragmatic approach
- Fast-paced setting with shifting priorities
- Context where processes are evolving and not always fully defined
Success in this role will come from your ability to bring a degree of structure, and sound judgement without over-engineering processes.
What We’re Looking For
We’re looking for a pragmatic, delivery-focused HR Operations Advisor who thrives in dynamic environments.
You will bring:
- Strong HR Operations experience within an SME or mid-sized business
- Proven experience working in small HR teams (including offshore or third-party providers)
- Hands-on experience with Workday (essential)
- A track record of operating effectively in fast-paced, evolving environments
- Strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to build trust quickly
- High attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities at pace
Highly desirable:
- Financial services experience (e.g. asset / investment management, boutique banking, Private Equity or similar)
- Experience in a high-performing entrepreneurial environment
This Role May Not Suit You If:
- You prefer highly structured, process-driven environments
- You require clearly defined scope and stable priorities
- You are not comfortable operating with ambiguity or managing competing demands
- You do not thrive working closely with key business leaders, and HR Business Partner colleagues
If this is something of interest please apply or reach out directly to Jenna.Stocks@middlemore.co.uk