HR Operations Manager (12m FTC)

We have an exciting opportunity for an HR Operations Manager to join our HR Advice team, based in A&O Shearman's Belfast Office. This role is available as a 12-month fixed-term contract.

HR Advice team - Belfast
The HR Advice Team provides consistent, high-quality and efficient HR operational support across the business. Working with Global HR colleagues, specialist teams and HRSSC colleagues, the team delivers responsive services, maintains reliable processes and data, and supports a positive employee and stakeholder experience.

What you will do
The HR Operations Manager oversees the delivery of HR operational services within HR Advice, providing day-to-day global operational oversight and ensuring HR policies and processes are applied consistently. The role drives continuous improvement, supports accurate and compliant HR data, systems and documentation, and works closely with HR SSC teams and global HR colleagues to resolve issues, improve ways of working and support HR projects and change initiatives.

• Oversee and manage HR operational processes within HR Advice, ensuring services are delivered accurately, efficiently and to agreed standards.
• Manage and support HR Advice team members, promoting a collaborative, service-focused and high-performing team culture.
• Provide operational guidance to HR colleagues, resolving queries, removing blockers and escalating complex or sensitive matters where needed.
• Maintain and improve HR process documentation, guidance notes and knowledge materials to support consistent delivery.
• Act as a subject matter expert for HR processes, serving as a trusted escalation point and supporting better ways of working across the department.
• Support HR operational project workstreams, including the transition of HR administration processes from the firm's global network into HR Advice.
• Assist the Senior HR Operations Manager with digital, AI, improvement and automation initiatives, helping shape practical, controlled and user-focused solutions
• Deputise and act as an escalation point for the Senior HR Operations manager in their absence.
• Ensure HR Advice activities comply with organisational policies, employment legislation, internal controls and data protection requirements.
• Aid with governance of the Global Policy Portal and Secondment Investment Group.
• Contribute to forums and working groups, sharing operational insight and capturing feedback from local HR teams and HRSSC colleagues.
• Identify recurring HR Advice themes and operational issues, escalating trends and supporting practical, sustainable improvements using data.

What you will have

• Minimum of five years' experience in HR operations, HR administration, shared services or a similar service delivery environment.
• Experience managing administrators, including recruitment, training and performance monitoring.
• Strong understanding of HR processes, policies, compliance requirements and the importance of confidentiality.
• Excellent attention to detail, with the ability to work accurately with HR data, systems and documentation.
• Confident user of HR systems and reporting tools, with the ability and willingness to develop deeper technical knowledge.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines in a busy operational environment.
• Client-service focused, with a practical, proactive and collaborative approach to supporting stakeholders.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain process requirements and operational issues effectively.
• Working knowledge of PeopleSoft, Workday or a similar HRIS would be advantageous.

Experience: Previous experience in HR administration, HR shared services, HR systems support or HR operations including People Management. Exposure to process improvement, data quality checks, reporting or compliance activity would be beneficial.
Skills: Strong organisational skills, accuracy, problem-solving ability and sound judgement. Comfortable working with confidential information, applying policy and process requirements, and escalating issues appropriately.
Desirable: Awareness of project working practices, user acceptance testing, process mapping or continuous improvement methodologies.

What we can offer you

To learn more about the culture and benefits available at A&O Shearman, please visit: Culture and benefits A&O Shearman careers

Should you require additional support at any stage of the recruitment process due to a disability or a health condition, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our recruitment team who will work with you to provide any adjustments as required.

We are an equal opportunities recruiter and do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

NO AGENCIES PLEASE - A&O Shearman does not accept unsolicited CVs. For further information, please see our UK Recruitment Agency Policy and our commitment to direct sourcing here .

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