People Operations Lead Role Summary Sanderson is partnering with its international client who operate across multiple jurisdictions who are committed to delivering high-quality outcomes through strong operational capability and continuous improvement.
We are seeking a People Operations Leader to drive HR operational delivery across Ireland, the UK, and Europe.
You will oversee a team across multiple locations, ensuring operational excellence, robust compliance and consistent employee experience.
This is a hands-on leadership role combining people management, process optimisation, and data-driven decision making across the employee lifecycle.
Hybrid 3 days in office and 2 days wfh, with regular travel to the UK expected Responsibilities Team leadership and stakeholder engagement Lead and develop a high-performing People Operations team across Ireland and the UK Partner with HR Business Partners and key stakeholders to align operational HR with broader strategic priorities Strengthen delivery models through cross-training, resource planning, and workload management Governance, compliance and data integrity Ensure compliance with employment law, GDPR, and relevant EU directives across jurisdictions Maintain accurate, audit-ready HR data and payroll-related processes Drive improvements in reporting capability and data governance Process improvement and operational excellence Lead process standardisation and simplification across HR operations Identify inefficiencies and implement data-led solutions Drive adoption and improvement of HR systems and digital tools Employee lifecycle and experience Oversee onboarding, offboarding, and reward administration processes Support employee relations activity across a distributed workforce Promote a culture of accountability, responsiveness, and high service standards Experience required 5+ years' experience leading HR operations in a multi-site, multi-jurisdiction environment Strong track record in HR service delivery, process improvement, and data integrity Experience with HR systems, reporting, payroll data, and compliance frameworks Proven ability to influence stakeholders and drive operational outcomes Desirable Background in construction, engineering, or complex professional services Experience in continuous improvement, process mapping, or RACI frameworks Exposure to HRIS or payroll transformation programmes Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement certification Training in employment law, GDPR, or HR analytics Qualifications Degree in HR, business, or related field CIPD Level 7 or equivalent postgraduate qualification Skills: HR Services Manager HR Operations Lead HR Operations Manager