People Operations Specialist / HR Operations Lead (6 month FTC)

People Operations Specialist / HR Operations Lead (6 month FTC)

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• Type: 6 Month FTC.
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• Salary: Circa £75,000 pro rata (negotiable).
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• Location: London (Hybrid - 3 days in office).
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• Company: Major UK Media Publishing Group.
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• Reports to: Director of HR Operations
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Company and brief for People Operations Specialist / HR Operations Lead (6 month FTC):

Our client is one of the UK's most established and widely recognised media publishing groups, with a portfolio of major national brands reaching tens of millions of readers across print, digital and social.

Their HR function is going through a period of genuine improvement and modernisation - and they need an experienced People Operations Specialist to help drive it, on a fixed-term basis.

This is a hands-on, contributor role for someone who genuinely enjoys the detail of HR operations - process, data, systems - and wants to make a tangible difference over a focused six-month period.

You'll be working closely with the shared service team, helping shape how things are done, not just maintaining what's already there.

The role for People Operations Specialist / HR Operations Lead (6 month FTC):

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• As People Operations Specialist you'll support operational excellence across HR service delivery, contributing directly to process improvement, data integrity and digital optimisation.
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• You'll work closely with the shared service team - shadowing current practices, helping implement better ones, and ensuring stakeholders stay informed throughout.
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• Review and optimise HR processes to improve efficiency and the overall employee experience.
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• Support automation and standardisation across HR practices and workflows, making the most of the tools already in place.
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• Maintain accuracy, consistency and integrity of data across HR systems - running regular audits and taking corrective action where needed.
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• Design and run exception reports to flag missing or illogical data points - duplicate records, conflicting effective dates, salary outliers and similar issues.
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• Identify root causes behind data inconsistencies and implement practical process improvements to stop them recurring.
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• Ensure all data handling aligns with GDPR and local labour law requirements, maintaining a clear audit trail throughout.
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Experience needed for People Operations Specialist / HR Operations Lead (6 month FTC):

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• 5+ years in an HR Operations role, with a strong track record in process improvement and a move toward more digitally optimised service delivery.
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• Proven experience with HRIS systems - Workday experience and an understanding of systems integrations is highly desirable.
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• Strong data analysis and reporting skills - confident with Excel and dashboards, and genuinely comfortable in the detail.
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• The confidence to challenge existing practices and suggest simple, practical solutions rather than over-engineered ones.
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• Clear, collaborative communication - able to translate technical data for non-technical HR colleagues with ease.
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• Comfortable managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
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The contract details:

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• 6 month fixed-term contract, with scope to extend depending on business need.
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• Salary: circa £75,000 pro rata, with flexibility for the right candidate with exceptional, directly relevant experience.
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• London-based, with a minimum of 3 days in the office.
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• Reporting directly to the Director of HR Operations - genuine visibility and a real seat at the table.
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If you're looking for a focused, hands-on contract where you can make a genuine difference, we'd love to hear from you.