Senior People Operations Manager – EMEA

As Senior People Operations Manager – EMEA, you will act as a strategic and operational People & Culture leader, partnering with Directors of Operations and the Regional People Operations Director (APAC, India & EMEA) to deliver high‑quality, compliant and commercially focused people solutions across multiple sites.

You will lead a team of People Operations professionals and work closely with senior stakeholders across operations, finance, risk, and country People teams. The role balances strategic business partnering, matrix leadership, and operational HR excellence in a fast‑paced, client‑facing hospitality environment.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Business Partnering

Partner with Directors of Operations to align people strategy with business growth, revenue and margin objectives.

Translate business plans into effective workforce, structural and capability strategies.

Provide commercially focused, risk‑aware People advice and contribute to regional and global People initiatives.

Matrix Stakeholder Leadership

Work closely with Country People Teams across EMEA to ensure compliance with local legislation and Compass frameworks.

Balance client‑specific requirements with standardised country governance.

Act as an escalation point where client and country People frameworks intersect.

Leadership & Team Management

Lead, coach and develop a high‑performing People Operations team across EMEA.

Set clear expectations, build capability and drive consistent, high‑quality People service delivery.

Workforce Planning & Organisational Design

Lead workforce planning across existing and new business sites.

Support mobilisations, restructures and organisational design activity.

Partner with Finance and Operations on labour modelling, headcount management and succession planning.

Employee Relations & Risk Management

Provide senior‑level guidance on complex employee relations matters across multiple jurisdictions.

Ensure compliance with employment legislation and collective frameworks.

Manage high‑risk cases while balancing risk mitigation and positive employee relations.

Talent, Engagement & Culture

Drive initiatives to strengthen engagement, retention, leadership capability and performance.

Lead DE&I initiatives aligned to regional and client strategies.

Support talent development, performance reviews, internal mobility and reward decisions.

Operational HR Excellence

Ensure accurate, compliant People operations, systems and data integrity.

Oversee employee lifecycle processes and deliver meaningful workforce insights.

Lead People projects at regional and corporate level.

About You:

Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business Management or related field

3–7 years’ HR experience in a multi‑site environment across UK&I and Europe

Strong knowledge of employment and labour law

Proven experience leading and developing teams

Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills

Strong business acumen with financial understanding

Confident decision‑maker with a calm, measured approach

High standard of confidentiality and professionalism

Desirable

CIPD qualification

Experience working within a matrix or client‑embedded model

Hospitality, services or operational environment experience

Compass Group reserves the right to enhance the criteria, if necessary, for the purposes of shortlisting.

Some of the benefits we offer:

As well as a competitive salary, we also have a large range of other benefits, such as

Free meals while at work

Discounts across the Island of Ireland to save at various restaurants, high street stores, hotels, day out venues, gyms, golf courses and many more

Flexible working to support work life balance

Additional Leave Purchase scheme to balance home and work life

Life assurance cover

Additional, seasonal and overtime hours available

Career Pathways to support career progression and/or skills development

Learning & development programs available for personal and professional development & growth

Access to wellness programs to promote mental health and wellbeing of our colleagues

Employee Assistance Program to guide and support our employees

Exciting internal reward and recognition schemes

And many more..

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