Location: Local Authority (Hybrid Working)

Contract: 12 Months (with potential extension)

Agency: Aatom Recruitment

Aatom Recruitment is supporting a local authority in their search for an experienced Interim HR Operations Manager. This role requires a senior HR professional with strong operational leadership experience, particularly within Reward, Pay and Establishment Management, to help stabilise and strengthen services during a period of organisational change.

The Interim HR Operations Manager will lead, develop and enhance the HR Operations service, with a core focus on embedding and improving the Reward function. You will ensure the effective delivery of day-to-day HR operations, drive continuous improvement, and enhance service-wide governance, processes and systems.

A key responsibility will be supporting organisational readiness for the Total Pay & Reward Programme, ensuring that interdependencies are well managed while maintaining high service standards.

• Provide senior-level operational leadership across HR Operations.
• Drive improvements that streamline processes, reduce silos, and build consistent ways of working.
• Redesign HR operational processes to improve workflow and digital capability.
• Support the Head of HR Operations with risk management, prioritisation and service-wide coordination.

• Lead and develop the Pay & Reward team to deliver a responsive and professional service.
• Oversee a fair and consistent job evaluation process.
• Maintain and evolve staff reward, benefits and recognition strategies.
• Manage communication and delivery of staff benefits.
• Oversee establishment control, ensuring high-quality data, governance and reporting.
• Lead allowance approval processes with transparency and risk oversight.
• Commission external reward/benchmarking support where needed.

• Contribute to policy development relating to Reward, Establishment Management and HR Operations.
• Provide expert advice to senior leaders on complex reward and organisational change matters.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of employment law, case law and sector best practice.

• Build strong relationships with HR Business Partners, Directors and senior managers.
• Work collaboratively with Trade Unions, JE evaluators and staff networks.
• Partner with digital and systems teams to support HR modernisation.

• Line manage and develop the Pay & Reward team, building capability and resilience.
• Recruit, train and maintain a pool of job evaluation panellists, including TU representatives.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, accountability and professional development.

• Relevant degree or professional qualification (e.g., CIPD).
• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• Strong knowledge of Pay & Reward practices.
• Demonstrable experience leading Reward, Recognition or Compensation & Benefits functions.
• Experience in applying job evaluation frameworks.
• Proven ability to lead HR operational projects and influence policy.
• Experience delivering communication and engagement activities.
• Experience managing and developing staff.
• Experience implementing performance or quality assurance frameworks.

• Understanding of recruitment processes.
• Knowledge of statutory, policy and local government frameworks.

• Direct line management of:2 × Pay & Reward Officers
• 1 × Pay & Reward Administrative Assistant
• Oversight of a wider network of JE evaluators, including Trade Union representatives.

• Hybrid working available.
• All arrangements in line with corporate standards.

Please contact Anisha to apply!