People Operations & Digital Transformation Manager- Corporate Communications Group

Overview 
This is an exceptional opportunity within a successful global communications group. Our agencies (Black Sun Global, Stratton Craig, and People-Made) specialise in stakeholder advisory and engagement at the highest level.
People Operations & Digital Transformation Manager at the Positive Change Group is accountable for overseeing the digital day-to-day operations of the People and Culture Group Function, including the management and oversight of core and critical HR processes, procedures and policy. This position ensures all people-related activity remains compliant with employment laws and best practice and provides a robust, scalable future proof People operations infrastructure.
A major focus of this role is to play a key role in the digital transformation of HR, including the selection, implementation and optimisation of a new enterprise HR technology platform. By harnessing automation, self‑service and AI‑driven tools, the People Operations Manager will help shift HR service delivery towards being data‑ and insights‑led, enabling the function to operate as a true strategic, value‑adding partner to the business. As the new enterprise solution is embedded, the role will transition towards driving continuous optimisation, people analytics and AI‑enabled decision support across the HR function as well as opportunity to be involved in strategic business partnering.
The remit includes the management of all HR technology and vendor relationships, health & safety compliance, and HRMI analytics and reporting. As part of the People and Culture Group Function, this role supports HR strategic initiatives aligned with business goals and works in partnership with business leaders and the wider HR team to ensure that core people management BAU is delivered to a high standard.
We see this as a real step forward in your career, not just another job. Attracting and retaining the right people for our team is an absolute priority for us and we take their career development seriously from day one. You will have access to a full programme of training and plenty of autonomy to develop new skills and contribute ideas. As well as being passionate about our work, we are supportive, collaborative and positive, always looking to make what we do enjoyable and rewarding.
By joining us you will be working on a hybrid model and have a wonderful opportunity to explore our picturesque offices in Bishops Park, Putney bridge.

Reports to: Group Head of People and Culture 

Key responsibilities

1. HR Operations & Employee Lifecycle Management
•    Own end‑to‑end digital HR lifecycle processes, including onboarding, internal moves, and exits, ensuring a consistent, high‑quality employee experience.
•    Oversee accurate and timely delivery of payroll, benefits administration and core HR administration, maintaining full legal and policy compliance.
•    Standardise, document and continuously refine HR processes to reduce manual effort, strengthen controls and improve turnaround times.
•    Identify and implement operational improvements, using data and feedback to drive efficiency, scalability and service quality.

2. Employee Experience 
•    Operate a responsive employee advisory service, using digital channels and knowledge resources where possible to resolve queries efficiently.
•    Provide first‑line guidance to managers on employee relations matters, escalating more complex issues to the Senior People & Culture Business Partner as needed.
•    Use feedback, service data and journey mapping to identify improvements in the employee experience, particularly where digital or AI‑enabled solutions can remove friction.

3. HR Technology, Enterprise Solution & Systems

•    Play a key role in the end‑to‑end process to select, design and implement a new enterprise HR technology platform, with a clear focus on automation, AI‑enabled capabilities and employee self‑service.
•    Define HR system requirements, workflows and data structures that enable digital, AI‑assisted processes and reliable, real‑time insight for leaders and HR.
•    Manage implementation activities – including configuration, testing, data migration, training and change management – to drive high adoption and effective use of new digital tools.
•    Ensure ongoing data quality, governance and security across all HR systems, and maintain robust HR analytics and reporting, including dashboards and AI‑supported insights.
•    Analyse HR metrics and trends to identify opportunities to improve efficiency, employee experience and business outcomes, and convert insights into concrete changes.
•    Champion the use of AI and digital tools (for example, intelligent workflows, chatbots, predictive analytics) to reduce manual effort and free HR and managers to focus on higher‑value work.
•    Own relationships with HR technology vendors, ensuring the HR tech ecosystem remains modern, integrated and capable of supporting future AI and data‑driven use cases.

4. Compliance & Policy Management
•    Ensure HR policies, processes and documentation comply with local labour laws, company standards and data‑privacy requirements.
•    Monitor regulatory and best‑practice developments in employment law and HR technology, assessing their impact on digital and AI‑enabled processes.
•    Conduct regular compliance and data‑governance audits (for example, right to work, contracts, system access, records) and implement corrective actions where required.
•    Communicate relevant legal, policy and process changes to managers and employees in a clear, accessible and digitally enabled way.

5.Team Leadership:
•    Role‑model a digitally confident, data‑driven way of working within the People and Culture team, building AI and automation literacy across HR operations.
•    Lead and develop a high‑performing digital HR operations team, providing coaching, clear priorities and regular feedback.
•    Delegate effectively and empower team members to take ownership of their processes, encouraging experimentation with new tools and ways of working.
•    Support colleagues through digital and AI‑related change, helping them understand how new tools work, how to use them responsibly and how they enhance service and decision‑making.
•    Collaborate closely with the wider HR function (Business Partners, Talent, Reward, L&D) to ensure that technology, data and process changes are aligned and support broader people and business strategies.

Qualifications, Skills & Experience
Education
•    Degree educated in Human Resources, Business Administration, Information Systems or a related field (or equivalent experience).
•    CIPD qualification (Level 5 or above) or equivalent professional accreditation is desirable.
Experience
•    3–7 years’ experience in HR Operations, People Operations or a similar role in a fast‑paced, multi‑stakeholder environment.
•    Proven track record of leading or playing a key role in HRIS or enterprise HR technology implementations, including configuration, data migration and user adoption.
•    Demonstrable experience of using digital tools, automation and/or AI (for example, workflow automation, self‑service portals, chatbots, or predictive analytics) to redesign and improve HR processes.
•    Experience managing HR service delivery, including ownership of core lifecycle processes, HR administration and HR data.
•    Experience collaborating with senior leaders and HR Business Partners to support people initiatives and translate business needs into practical HR solutions.
•    Previous line‑management responsibility for a small team, or clear experience mentoring and developing others, is preferred.
Technical Skills
•    Strong proficiency with HR systems (e.g. HRIS, ATS, payroll, time/attendance, engagement platforms) and confidence working across integrated technology stacks.
•    Advanced skills in HR data and analytics (Excel/Sheets, dashboarding/BI tools), with the ability to interpret data, generate insights and present them clearly to non‑technical stakeholders.
•    AI fluency – solid understanding of how AI and automation can be applied responsibly in HR (opportunities, limitations, data/privacy risks) and ability to translate concepts into real use‑cases.
•    Comfortable managing vendors and external partners, including contracts, SLAs and performance reviews.
Soft Skills
•    Excellent written and verbal communication skills, able to explain complex processes and systems in clear, accessible language.
•    Strong organisational and project‑management skills, with the ability to prioritise, manage multiple streams of work and deliver to deadlines.
•    Analytical and solutions‑focused mindset, with attention to detail and a drive for continuous improvement.
•    Collaborative and relationship‑oriented, able to build trust with stakeholders at all levels and influence without direct authority.
•    Resilient and comfortable working through ambiguity and change, bringing others with you on the digital and AI transformation journey.
Knowledge
•    Solid understanding of UK employment law, HR best practice and HR governance/compliance standards, including data privacy (e.g. UK GDPR) and record‑keeping requirements.
•    Awareness of current and emerging trends in HR technology, AI, people analytics and digital employee experience, and how they can be leveraged to create value.
•    Familiarity with health & safety responsibilities as they relate to People Operations.
•    Strong working knowledge of payroll processes, statutory requirements and how HR and payroll interfaces operate in practice.
•    Experience of visa and right‑to‑work management, including checking documentation, tracking expiry dates and working with external advisors where needed.

Benefits
In addition to a competitive salary based on skills and experience, as an employee at Positive Change Group, you will have access to a range of great benefits and perks, including: 
•    25 days holiday per year with ‘bonus’ days for long service
•    Discretionary bonus scheme 
•    Personal development opportunities 
•    Group life assurance with
•    Group personal pension plan 
•    Employee assistance programme
•    Access to online GP service via Health Hero
•    Hybrid working- at least 3 days a week in the office
•    Stunning offices in Fulham Palace
•    Weekly themed breakfast, fruit and snack cupboard
•    Monthly “Thirsty Thursdays” 
•    Regular company social events

About Us :
Business is changing fast – shaped by AI, transparency and rising social expectations – and trust now decides who wins.
Positive Change Group brings together specialist agencies in reporting, culture and communications to help organisations build stronger, more connected stakeholder relationships – aligning what you say with what you do to drive performance, resilience and trust. Clients get deep specialist expertise with seamless access to wider Group capabilities as priorities evolve.

We’re trusted partners to some of the world’s leading organisations, delivering award-winning work that turns complex challenges into meaningful progress. By combining human insight with data and technology, we create intelligent stakeholder engagement that brings clarity, builds commitment and delivers measurable impact.
One partner across your stakeholders – practical, joined-up and built for what’s next.

Join the people driving positive change:
Change starts with people. Our global teams bring together different disciplines, nationalities and perspectives, driven by a shared belief that business can be a force for good. 
Guided by our Group Values – to learn and grow, go together, show respect, be courageous and deliver excellence – we bring these principles to life every day through our work and each other.
We call it The Changemaker Way: a culture built on trust, inclusion and doing what’s right. It’s how we learn, lead and grow – and make a difference that lasts. 

Come Join Us!
Joining  The Positive Change Group means becoming part of an inclusive, dynamic community where your talents are nurtured, and your career can thrive. With competitive salaries, hybrid working, and continuous professional development, you’ll not only grow but also have the opportunity to make a difference every day, shaping the future of communications – and having fun along the way.

We pride ourselves on being committed to offering equal opportunities to all potential employees and have zero tolerance for discrimination. We foster a business culture where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best work and be relevant in a rapidly changing world. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds to apply and would encourage you to let us know if there are steps we can take to ensure that your recruitment process enables you to present yourself in a way that makes you comfortable.

For more information, please visit:
www.positivechangegroup.com
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