Head of Human Resources Operations

Head of HR Operations

Up to £140,000

London - 1 - 2 days per week ideally

Middlemore are supporting the search for a Global Head of HR Operations to join our global client.

This appointment will play a pivotal role in shaping how HR services are delivered across the business, combining operational leadership with large-scale transformation execution. The remit spans HR operations, systems, payroll, service delivery, and process optimisation, with a strong focus on building a more scalable, efficient, and commercially aligned people infrastructure.

The organisation is looking for an individual who can bring structure, pace, and operational discipline to a complex environment while helping modernise the way HR services are delivered globally.

The Role

This is a highly visible leadership position with global (UK, Europe and US) responsibility for driving operational excellence across the HR function.

Working closely with senior HR and business stakeholders, you will lead the ongoing development of HR operational capability, ensuring services, systems, and processes are fit for purpose within a fast-moving and evolving environment.

The role will suit someone who enjoys operating at both strategic and hands-on levels — capable of leading transformation initiatives while also ensuring day-to-day operational effectiveness across core people processes.

Key areas of focus will include:

• Evolving and embedding a more effective HR service delivery model
• Improving operational consistency, governance, and service standards
• Enhancing HR systems capability and vendor performance
• Strengthening payroll operations and process controls
• Driving data quality, reporting integrity, and operational insight
• Supporting organisational change, integration activity, and business transformation
• Identifying opportunities to streamline, automate, and improve processes across HR operations

We are interested in speaking with experienced HR Operations leaders who have worked within complex, international organisations and who bring a strong blend of operational expertise, transformation capability, and stakeholder management skills.

Successful candidates are likely to demonstrate:

• Deep experience across HR operations, shared services, and service delivery environments
• A track record of leading operational transformation and process improvement initiatives
• Strong understanding of HR systems, payroll operations, and workforce data governance
• Experience navigating organisational change, integration activity, or large-scale transformation programmes
• The ability to build credibility quickly across senior stakeholder groups
• A pragmatic, solutions-focused approach with strong attention to detail and execution
• Resilience and adaptability within fast-paced, evolving environments

This role offers the opportunity to shape and modernise a global HR operations function at a critical stage of organisational evolution. It will suit an ambitious and commercially minded HR operations leader looking to have genuine impact within a complex and transformation-focused business.