Head of People Operations - 8 Month Fixed Term Contract
Closing Date - 06/04/2025
Location - Brighton
Salary - £49,920 - £52,000
Our client is more than just an educational institution; they are a vibrant community dedicated to nurturing creativity and empowering students to reach their full potential. With campuses across the UK, Ireland, and Germany, they offer a diverse range of courses in modern music, performing arts, filmmaking and creative technology. Their commitment to excellence in creative arts education sets them apart, providing students with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities they need to succeed in their chosen fields.
About the Role
As Head of People Operations, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering an outstanding employee experience across the company. Acting as a key representative of the People team, you will lead on all operational aspects of the employee lifecycle while fostering a positive and inclusive workplace culture.
Working closely with the Director of People and Culture, senior leadership, and external service providers, you will ensure that their People operations align with best practices and support the strategic vision of the university.
What You’ll Do
- Lead and manage a high-performing People Operations team, ensuring seamless delivery of HR processes across the employee lifecycle.
- Oversee all transactional HR activities, including pre-employment checks, contract administration, payroll processes, policy implementation, and offboarding.
- Build and maintain strong relationships across the university, providing expert guidance to managers and staff on operational People matters.
- Manage key external partnerships, including Employee Assistance Programmes, benefits providers, and Occupational Health services.
- Act as the lead systems administrator for the HRIS, ensuring data accuracy, conducting audits, and driving continuous system improvements.
- Provide detailed People analytics and reporting, delivering insights to inform decision-making at the highest level.
- Drive the development and implementation of new policies, processes, and operational initiatives to enhance efficiency and compliance.
- Collaborate with the Senior People Partner, Recruitment Manager, and Learning and Development Manager to ensure an aligned and joined-up approach across all People functions.
- Represent the People function in leadership meetings, working groups, and cross-departmental collaborations.
- Support and deputise for the Director of People and Culture as required.
What You’ll Bring
- Level 5 qualification in Human Resources or a related field.
- Proven experience in a senior People Operations role, with a strong understanding of HR processes and best practices.
- Comprehensive knowledge of employment law and HR compliance.
- A track record of building strong professional relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Exceptional data analysis skills, including advanced use of Excel and HR reporting tools.
- Strong written communication and presentation skills.
- Experience in developing and implementing new policies, processes, and ways of working.
- Excellent organisation and time management, with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
This role is an 8 Month fixed term contract between May and December 2025.
Why Our Client
They are a values led organisation, meaning their core values underpin all that they do:
Believe in Everyone. Challenge the Norm. Grow Together. Do the Right Thing. Own It.
In addition to joining a committed and dedicated team, you will have access to:
- 25 days holiday per year (FTE)
- SMART pension
- A comprehensive benefits package
They continually strive to create a culture of inclusivity so that they truly represent their diverse communities. They particularly welcome applications from people of colour who are underrepresented in their organisation.
They are committed to promoting the safety and welfare of their students therefore, all successful applicants are required to complete a basic DBS disclosure. Depending on the role, you may be required to complete an enhanced check / enhanced check with barred list if required by statute and internal policy.
How to apply
Interested in this Head of People Operations opportunity, click apply and you will be redirected to our client’s careers website to complete your application.
