HR Services Manager

Job overview

HR Services Manager

Department: HR Services

Band  6

Hours: 37.5 per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working

About the role

Are you an experienced HR professional who thrives on leading teams, improving services, and making a real impact?

Do you enjoy combining people leadership, HR operations, and digital transformation?

If so, we’d love to hear from you.

We are looking for a dynamic and forward-thinking HR Services Manager to lead our HR Services function.

Reporting to the Head of HR Services & Systems, you will manage a team delivering HR Services across:

• Payroll (including staff benefits)
• Temporary Staffing
• General HR queries

What you’ll be doing

✅ Leading and developing a multi‑disciplinary HR Services team ✅ Ensuring consistent, timely and accurate delivery of payroll and HR services ✅ Driving service improvement, innovation, and digital transformation ✅ Overseeing outsourced payroll arrangements and system assurance ✅ Providing senior‑level advice and support on complex HR and payroll issues ✅ Strengthening governance, KPIs, SOPs and audit processes ✅ Working closely with Finance, HR Systems, ESR teams and senior leaders ✅ Designing and delivering training to managers and staff to build capability ✅ Using workforce data to identify trends, risks, efficiencies and savings

Interview date: 12 June 2026

We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role

Main duties of the job

We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute

“NHS Survey, 2024'' They feel supported in their employers making reasonable adjustments to help them carry out their work, rating an 82.9%

This is a high‑profile, operational leadership role where you will influence how HR Services are delivered across the Trust, drive continuous improvement, and help shape the future of HR Services.

Who we’re looking for

We’re looking for someone who brings:

• Proven experience managing HR services, payroll and/or shared services functions
• Strong people leadership and service management skills
• In‑depth knowledge of NHS payroll, ESR and temporary staffing
• Confidence working with senior stakeholders across HR, Finance and Operations
• A passion for continuous improvement, system optimisation and change
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to simplify complex processes

You’ll be someone who enjoys accountability, takes ownership, and brings energy and ideas to how services are delivered.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Communication

• Communicates by email, phone and face to face.
• Communicates with HR team members, payroll staff, finance staff, Trust staff at all levels and third party suppliers.
• Communicates complex processes and HR policy interpretation when training on data entry and system usage processes.

Analytical and Judgemental Skills/ Freedom to Act

• Most work is carried out within set procedures. However, some work is new and so will require the post holder to identify new process (with manager assistance).
• Problem solving skills are required on a day to day basis as the post holder may have to make decisions where the facts are not straightforward and there is conflicting information – most likely to occur when assisting helpdesk callers and the HR Services Supervisor and or other team members.

Planning and Organisational Skills

• Plans and prioritises team workloads.
• Plans and prioritises own day to day workload.
• Plans and prioritises medium to long term workload.
• Regular discussion with Line Manager relating to workload and task prioritisation.
• Post holder may be required to plan and administer short to mediuim term project groups/committees.

Physical Skills

• Daily use of keyboard / computer
• Advanced keyboard skills required
• Combination of sitting, standing and walking

Responsibility for Patients/Clients

• Responsibility for patients/clients is incidental.

Policy and Service Responsibilities

• Responsible for the development and redesign of standard operating procedures for the HR Services Team in response to legislative and best practice changes.
• When required, amend and update relevant policies for the Trust and ensure that this is adhered to consistently in line with legal and best practice guidance.

Responsibility for Information

• Interrogating HR Systems (ESR) to access data as required. Reviewing HR Systems (ESR) data to ensure it is accurate and robust. Identifying data anomalies during and instigate corrective action as necessary.
• Interrogating HR Systems (ESR) to access data as required.
• Reviewing HR Systems (ESR) data to ensure it is accurate and robust.
• Identifying data anomalies during and instigate corrective action as necessary.

• Lead in the maintenance and usage of HR Systems including:

Please refer to the job description for further details.