HR Operations Manager

HR Operations Manager
Location: Manchester
Role Type: Permanent
Work Setup: Hybrid - 3 days in the office (Tuesday to Thursday)

Who We Are
Vanguard is one of the world's leading investment firms, dedicated to helping clients achieve lasting financial success. Established in 1975, its unique ownership structure-where funds own the company and investors own the funds-ensures all efforts are focused on client outcomes. Known for integrity, innovation, and low-cost investing, fosters an inclusive and collaborative culture that empowers employees to make a meaningful impact globally.

What You'll Do

• Lead HR Operations across Europe, ensuring efficient, high-quality and compliant service delivery aligned with business priorities, while managing complex operational queries and escalations.
• Develop strong partnerships with HR, Payroll, Global Mobility, Risk & Compliance and other key stakeholders to deliver seamless, well-governed HR services and a consistent employee experience.
• Drive continuous improvement by simplifying, standardising and enhancing HR processes, governance and service delivery through best practice, AI, automation and self-service solutions.
• Use HR data, metrics and insights to monitor performance, identify trends, manage operational capacity and support informed decision-making.
• Provide first-line HR policy and advisory support, working closely with Employee Relations to resolve queries, improve processes and ensure compliance across European jurisdictions and financial services regulations.
• Lead, coach and develop a high-performing HR Operations team, setting clear performance expectations while fostering capability, engagement and continuous learning.
• Contribute to regional and global HR projects, providing operational expertise and supporting cross-regional HR Operations where required to ensure consistent service delivery.

What You Bring

• Minimum of six years' experience operating at HR Business Partner, HR Operations Manager or equivalent leadership level, within financial services or a large global organisation.
• Strong expertise in HR operations, service delivery, process improvement, service model design, operational governance and risk management.
• Experience working across global organisations, with exposure to HR operations and employment practices across the UK, Europe and the US.
• Demonstrated leadership and people management skills
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills
• Strong analytical and systems skills, with experience using HR data, metrics and HRIS platforms (ideally Workday and ServiceNow) to drive performance, continuous improvement and informed decision-making.

What's Next
If you are ready to take the next step, apply now! Successful applicants will be contacted directly by a recruiter to discuss the role more.

We are committed to creating an inclusive recruitment experience. If you require support or adjustments to the recruitment process, our Adjustment Concierge Service is here to help. Please feel free to contact us at (see below) to discuss how we can support you.

This position is being recruited on behalf of our client through our Outsourcing service line. Resource Solutions Limited, trading as Robert Walters, acts as an employment business and agency, partnering with top organizations to help them find the best talent. We welcome applications from all candidates and are committed to providing equal opportunities.