Head of People Operations opportunity

Key information:

●      Location: London or Bath with national travel required

●      Salary: £competitive + benefits

●      Job Ref: MC2752

●      Closing Date: Midnight, Tuesday 19th May 2026

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Our client is a highly respected prestigious organisation with a clear commitment to long‑term stewardship, sustainability and social impact, is embarking on a significant period of organisational evolution.

They are now seeking an experienced and credible Head of People Operations to play a pivotal leadership role in shaping and delivering operational HR excellence across a complex, values‑driven environment.

Reporting to the Director of People & Culture, this is a senior operational HR leadership role with real breadth and influence. You will be responsible for ensuring that people operations, systems, policies and governance are robust, progressive and aligned with the organisation’s purpose and values.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Leading and continuously improving end‑to‑end HR operations across the full employee lifecycle.

  • Acting as the organisational authority on HR operations, employment practice and workforce administration.

  • Owning and enhancing HR policies, frameworks and governance, ensuring legal compliance and best practice.

  • Leading complex employee relations matters with sound judgement, discretion and pragmatism.

  • Overseeing HR systems, data integrity, reporting and automation.

  • Overseeing payroll, reward and benefits operations with precision and professionalism.

  • Leading and developing a small, high‑performing HR operations team.

  • Acting as a trusted advisor to senior leaders in a high‑profile, reputationally sensitive environment.

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About You

You will be a senior HR operations professional with depth, credibility and sound judgement, and comfortable operating where discretion, standards and reputation matter deeply.

You are likely to bring:

  • Significant experience in senior HR operations roles within complex, regulated or values‑led organisations.

  • Strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR governance.

  • Proven capability in handling nuanced employee relations cases.

  • Expertise in HR systems, payroll and data‑driven insight.

  • A track record of improving processes while maintaining a high‑touch, personal service.

  • Confidence operating with senior leaders and acting as a calm, trusted advisor.

  • Chartered membership of CIPD (or equivalent).

Why This Role?

This is a rare opportunity to shape the people operations of an organisation unlike any other — one where legacy, responsibility and contemporary leadership combine. The role offers significant scope to influence, improve and protect the foundations that support both people and purpose.

This role will be conducted under a Non-Disclosure Agreement, so in the first instance, please submit your CV and formal Expression of Interest (EoI).

Your EoI should explain your motivations for applying, how your skills and experience align with the criteria and anything else you wish to highlight for our review. To ensure a fair process, shortlisting decisions will be made solely on the information provided in your CV and Expression of Interest. Therefore, we encourage you to be thorough in describing both your motivations and your relevant experience.


Completed applications with CVs and EoI should quote reference MC2752 and should be sent by email to recruit@moonexecsearch.com

Closing date: Midnight, Tuesday 19th May 2026

Moon Executive Search is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all areas of society.

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