HR Operations Manager (Hybrid) needed in Taunton, £28.56ph PAYE - Reference: OR25554

Hybrid with 2 to 3 days office-based

The Interim HR Operations Manager will provide senior-level operational leadership across the HR Operations service, with a particular focus on stabilising, developing and embedding the Reward function during a period of organisational transition.

The role will ensure high-quality delivery of core HR operational services, lead continuous improvement activity, and strengthen service-wide processes, systems and governance. The post-holder will manage and develop the Pay & Reward team, oversee establishment-management processes, and work collaboratively across HR to support effective, consistent, and efficient people management practices.

This interim role is critical in supporting organisational readiness for the Total Pay & Reward Programme, ensuring interdependencies are managed and that BAU service quality is maintained.

• Provide senior-level operational support across HR Operations, contributing to the delivery of a cohesive, customer-focused HR service.
• Lead service-wide improvement activity, identifying opportunities to streamline processes, reduce silos, and build consistency in ways of working.
• Provide expertise in HR operations process redesign, working with colleagues across the organisation to simplify workflows and improve digital enablement.
• Support the Head of HR Operations with operational oversight, risk identification, service prioritisation, and management of cross-cutting issues.

• Lead the Pay & Reward team to deliver an effective, professional and responsive reward service.
• Oversee a robust job evaluation process ensuring fairness, consistency and compliance with policy.
• Maintain up-to-date approaches to reward, benefits and recognition, keeping strategies under review to support attraction and retention.
• Manage the day-to-day delivery, communication and marketing of staff benefit schemes.
• Oversee the establishment control framework in partnership with HR and Finance colleagues, ensuring high-quality data, governance and reporting.
• Lead the allowance request and approval processes, ensuring transparency, risk monitoring and appropriate escalation where needed.
• Commission or procure external reward or benchmarking support when required, ensuring compliance with procurement and corporate policies.

This is a full time role on a temporary contract basis.

If you are interested in the role please apply on our website with your CV, alternatively you can email your CV to [email protected] quoting the reference number.

Essential Employment is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy. Essential Employment is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

All our roles may be subject to pre-employment checks including references so please be prepared.

Due to high volumes of CVs received we are not able to respond to all unsuccessful applications. You will always however hear from us by phone if we are able to take your CV forward to the next stage.

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