People Operations Manager (Maternity Cover)
A bit about us
Grind is a coffee company that lives in London. Since opening Shoreditch Grind in 2011, we've expanded across London with cafés, coffee trucks and a state-of-the-art coffee roastery. Today, we serve millions of cups of coffee across London and the UK each year, and we’ve helped hundreds of thousands of people make better, more sustainable coffee at home.
You’ll find our coffee beans, compostable coffee pods and ready-to-drink coffee cans - in supermarkets across the UK and in hotels around the world.
Based in Shoreditch, we have a team of talented people working on everything from product development to finance, to customer experience. We’re looking for someone to join our growing team and help us in building the future of Grind.
We think coffee can be a force for good. Whether it's through creating the UK's first compostable coffee pods, our plastic-free packaging or carbon-free shipping - we're on a mission to be the world's most sustainable coffee company.
In 2023, we created our charity, the Better Coffee Foundation, to undo the damage done by the global coffee industry - in our first year, we recovered 43 million pods' worth of ocean-bound plastic.
A bit about the role
As People Operations Manager (13-month FTC) at Grind, you’ll take ownership of a major People transformation programme already in motion. With our new HRIS implementation underway, you’ll lead the next phase—driving delivery through to launch, embedding the platform across the business, and ensuring it delivers long-term impact.
Reporting to the Director of People & Culture and managing a small team, you’ll combine strategic oversight with hands-on execution. You’ll refine and optimise processes, strengthen data foundations, and ensure the systems and governance we’re building truly elevate the employee experience.
This is a transformation-focused role, ideal for someone experienced in leading or completing HRIS implementations in fast-paced, scale-up environments. You’ll play a pivotal role in modernising our people operations, embedding best-in-class processes, and setting the function up for sustainable operational excellence.
Role responsibilities
Lead the continued delivery and successful implementation of Grind’s new HRIS, overseeing configuration refinement, data migration, testing, rollout, and post-launch optimisation.
Own and oversee end-to-end payroll operations, ensuring accurate and timely monthly processing, compliance with UK legislation, and effective integration between payroll and the HRIS.
Review, redesign, and standardise People policies and processes, ensuring compliance with UK employment legislation and best practice.
Build scalable, efficient workflows that centralise people data, reduce manual administration, and improve data accuracy and integrity.
Develop and embed foundational people analytics capabilities, including reporting to support informed decision-making.
Map, optimise, and embed streamlined employee lifecycle processes from onboarding through to offboarding, leveraging the automation to enhance visibility and employee experience.
Lead change management and training initiatives to drive strong system adoption, ensuring managers and employees are confident and capable users of HR platforms.
Embed compensation, benefits, and performance management processes within the system to improve transparency, consistency, and reporting capability.
Act as a trusted advisor to managers on employee processes, balancing compliance with a pragmatic, people-centred approach.
Lead, mentor, and support the People Operations team.
You’ll have
Proven experience in a Senior People Operations role.
People management experience.
In-depth knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice.
Demonstrated experience in HR process and systems initiatives in a dynamic and evolving business environment.
Experience researching, writing, reviewing and updating policies that are compliant and ahead of the curve.
Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, and ability to build strong relationships with diverse stakeholders at all levels.
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a proactive and solution-oriented mindset.
Experience rolling out new processes including communication, training and coaching for leaders and employees.
Bonus if you have…
Experience working for a growing company where you’ve brought innovative new ideas to life.
Experience of working within a multi-entity business conducting inter-company transfers with a variety of different contract types.
Experience in project management.
CIPD level 5 or equivalent – we know that the pathway to HR excellence is not always a qualification so if you have equivalent education or work experience, your application is welcome.
Diversity and Inclusion
Grind is an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, veteran status, or disability status.
If there are any adjustments you need to help you bring your best self to an interview with us please let us know.
Benefits and perks
SpectrumLife: Access our confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for personal and professional support.
Stream: Take control of your finances with on-demand access to your earned wages, financial coaching, and more.
Discounts online: Up to 40% off our retail line online.
Crew Card: Enjoy 50% off all food and drinks, plus two free coffees a day at Grind locations.
Team Events: Participate in regular team events and enjoy a stocked office with healthy snacks.
Family & Friend Discounts: Special discounts for family and friends.
Salary
£55,000-60,000