HR Operations Manager - Europe

Shape the Future of HR Operations Across Europe

We're looking for an experienced and forward-thinking HR Operations Manager to join our European HR team during an exciting phase of growth and transformation.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a HR leader who loves improving processes, driving operational excellence and creating exceptional employee experiences at scale. You'll play a key role in ensuring our HR services across Europe are efficient, compliant, data-driven and aligned to business priorities.

Reporting to the Head of HRBPs, Employee Relations & HR Operations (Europe), you'll lead a talented Manchester-based team while partnering with stakeholders across Europe and globally to deliver high-quality HR operations and continuous improvement initiatives.

If you're passionate about simplifying complexity, leveraging technology and AI, and building high-performing teams, we'd love to hear from you.

In this role you will

Drive Operational Excellence

• Lead the delivery of best-in-class HR Operations services across Europe

• Ensure HR processes are scalable, compliant, well-governed and aligned with business objectives

• Partner with Payroll, Global Mobility, Risk & Compliance, Enterprise HR Operations and other key stakeholders to deliver seamless HR services

• Manage and resolve complex HR operational matters

Champion Continuous Improvement

• Lead the simplification, standardisation and scaling of HR processes across Europe

• Use data, insights and metrics to improve performance, capacity planning and decision-making

• Drive innovation through AI, automation and self-service solutions to enhance efficiency and employee experience

• Lead service improvement initiatives that create measurable business impact

• Develop knowledge content that enables self-service, consistency and scalable HR support across Europe

Support Governance, Policy & Risk

• Strengthen governance and risk management by embedding appropriate controls across HR Operations processes

• Partner with Employee Relations and other HR partners to support policy queries and first-level HR advisory matters

• Support policy reviews and process enhancements across multiple European jurisdictions

• Ensure compliance with financial services regulations, including SMCR and CBI requirements

Lead & Develop a High-Performing Team

• Lead, coach and develop a Manchester-based HR Operations team

• Create a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous learning

• Contribute to regional and global HR projects, bringing strong operational expertise and practical solutions

• Provide occasional support across global HR Operations teams to ensure consistent service delivery

What it takes

• Significant experience in HR Operations leadership, ideally within a complex, regulated or multinational environment

• Alternatively, a strong HR Business Partner background with substantial operational expertise

• Proven success leading teams and delivering results through others

• Experience improving processes, managing operational risk and implementing governance frameworks

• Strong leadership and coaching capabilities with a passion for developing talent.

• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills across all organisational levels

• Ability to analyse data and use insights to drive operational performance and decision-making

• Knowledge of HR systems and case management platforms, ideally including Workday and ServiceNow

• Strong understanding of service delivery models, operational excellence and continuous improvement methodologies

Special Factors 

• Vanguard is not offering visa sponsorship for this position

• This is a hybrid position and would require you to work in the office 3 days per week (Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday)

• Please note that we review applications on a rolling basis and may close this role early if there is a high level of interest. To avoid missing out, we recommend applying as soon as possible

Why Vanguard? 

Vanguard is a different kind of investment company. It was founded in the United States in 1975 on a simple but revolutionary idea: that an investment company should manage its funds solely in the interests of its clients. 

This is a philosophy that has helped millions of people around the world to achieve their goals with low-cost, uncomplicated investments. 

It's what we stand for: value to investors. 

Inclusion Statement  

Vanguard’s continued commitment to diversity and inclusion is firmly rooted in our culture. Every decision we make to best serve our clients, crew (internally employees are referred to as crew), and communities is guided by one simple statement: “Do the right thing.”  

We believe that a critical aspect of doing the right thing requires building diverse, inclusive, and highly effective teams of individuals who are as unique as the clients they serve. We empower our crew to contribute their distinct strengths to achieving Vanguard’s core purpose through our values. 

When all crew members feel valued and included, our ability to collaborate and innovate is amplified, and we are united in delivering on Vanguard's core purpose: to take a stand for all investors, to treat them fairly, and to give them the best chance for investment success.

How We Work

Vanguard has implemented a hybrid working model for the majority of our crew members, designed to capture the benefits of enhanced flexibility while enabling in-person learning, collaboration, and connection. We believe our mission-driven and highly collaborative culture is a critical enabler to support long-term client outcomes and enrich the employee experience.