HR Operations Manager
The HR Operations Manager leads the delivery of HR Administration and HR Operations services across CMS, ensuring services are delivered consistently, compliantly and in line with business priorities. Working closely with HR Business Partnering teams and Centres of Excellence, you will help create a joined-up and responsive employee experience across the firm.
This role has responsibility for the HR Operations team and plays a key part in the effective management of HR systems, processes, data and third-party providers. You will use insight, operational expertise and a continuous improvement mindset to enhance service delivery and support colleagues and managers throughout the employee lifecycle.
What you'll do
Lead the delivery of HR Administration and HR Operations services across the firm, ensuring work is completed accurately, consistently and in line with policy and regulatory requirements.
Oversee employee lifecycle administration and Workday processes, maintaining effective operational controls and high service standards.
Manage, coach and develop the HR Operations team, fostering a collaborative and customer-focused approach.
Partner with HR Business Partnering teams and Centres of Excellence to ensure services are aligned, integrated and responsive to business needs.
Manage and optimise Workday and associated HR technologies to improve efficiency, data quality and user experience.
Use HR data, reporting and metrics to assess service effectiveness, identify trends and inform improvements.
Manage relationships with third-party providers, monitoring service levels and ensuring value and performance expectations are met.
Lead continuous improvement initiatives, reviewing processes and implementing enhancements to increase efficiency, consistency and service quality.
Support the development and maintenance of HR operational procedures, controls and governance frameworks.
What you'll bring
Essential
We're looking for someone who can demonstrate:
Experience leading HR Administration and/or HR Operations services within a complex organisation.
Strong knowledge of employee lifecycle administration, operational HR processes and service delivery standards.
Experience managing, coaching and developing teams, including supporting colleagues through periods of change.
Confidence using HR systems, data and insights to improve processes, enhance the colleague experience and monitor service performance.
The ability to build effective working relationships across HR teams and wider stakeholder groups.
A continuous improvement mindset and experience streamlining processes and services.
Clear and pragmatic communication skills, with the ability to handle sensitive and confidential information appropriately.
Desirable
It would be beneficial if you also bring:
A CIPD qualification or equivalent HR operations, HR administration or service delivery experience.
Experience using Workday or similar HR information systems.
Experience managing third-party suppliers and service level agreements.
Experience developing or maintaining HR standard operating procedures, controls or administration frameworks.
Experience using HR metrics, reporting or dashboards to support decision-making and service improvement.
What’s in it for you?
We want to reward you today and help you plan for tomorrow. We appreciate that everyone is different, therefore we have designed a benefits system that offers choice and flexibility based on individual needs and lifestyles. To name a few, these include:
Competitive basic salary (reviewed annually)
Flexible, hybrid working policy
Generous bonus scheme
Up to 25 days holiday (rising to 28 days with service)
Holiday exchange scheme
Private medical insurance
Enhanced parental leave
Reasonable adjustments and accommodation for disabled talent in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.
If you would like to read more information regarding our range of benefits, please visit our Rewards & Benefits page on our website.
Please note that we have a preferred agency panel in place. Only applications submitted via the portal at the point of instruction will be accepted.

CMS is a Future Facing organisation of independent law firms. With 90 offices in over 50 countries and 7,200+ lawyers worldwide, we combine deep local market understanding with a global overview, giving us the ability not only to see what’s coming, but to shape it. In a world of ever-accelerating change where technology is increasingly important in the deployment of global strategies, our clear, business-focused advice helps clients of every size to face the future with confidence. We’re immersed in your world. Your interests and priorities are at the heart of what we do. Our lawyers are genuine experts in their fields, with a grasp of detail that’s second to none. Our next-generation mindset is woven into all we do. It means we can anticipate the likely challenges, accelerate our pace and create the space to develop innovative solutions. We’re diverse, supportive and inclusive, embracing our corporate social responsibility and creating a culture in which every one of our people, can maximise their potential and thrive.
For more information, please visit our website: https://cms.law