The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world’s largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you’re a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.
IRC UK
IRC UK is part of the IRC global network, which has its global headquarters in New York. Our team in the UK works to raise profile, deliver policy and practice change, and increase funding to help restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Since 2021, IRC UK has also provided integration services directly to refugees in England.
In Europe, the IRC also has offices in Berlin, Bonn, Brussels, Geneva and Stockholm.
The Purpose of the Role
The HR Operations Manager has oversight of IRC UK’s onboarding processes, HR data, payroll, and wellbeing initiatives for approximately 200 UK-based staff.
The role exists to:
• Lead Operational Delivery: Drive the implementation of the UK People & Culture (P&C) workplan, collaborating closely with European and global colleagues.
• Ensure Excellence in HR Operations: Manage HR systems, processes, and compliance requirements to deliver a positive and seamless employee experience across IRC UK.
Key Working Relationships
• All IRC UK-based staff and their line managers, both in the UK and globally
• IRC global People & Culture colleagues
• External suppliers, including pension providers, outsourced payroll provider, and benefits partners
Key Accountabilities
• Lead HR Operations: Oversee and develop the HR Operations team’s core functions, including onboarding, HR administration, and payroll.
• Safer Recruitment & Compliance: Act as IRC UK’s lead on Safer Recruitment processes and Right to Work requirements, including visa administration and advising on pre-travel preparations, security training, and medical requirements in line with IRC policies.
• Payroll & Benefits Management: Oversee payroll and benefits administration, serving as the escalation point for HR and Finance colleagues, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Customer-Focused Service: Ensure a high-quality, customer-focused approach to People Administration across all HR processes.
• HR Systems & Data: Collaborate with colleagues to maintain and optimise HR systems, data management, and reporting capabilities.
• Legal & Policy Compliance: Ensure operational compliance with UK employment law and internal policies across all HR activities.
• Vendor Management: Manage relationships with external providers, including payroll, pension, and other benefits partners.
• Information Governance: Implement robust data protection practices, ensuring secure handling, storage, and sharing of employee data in compliance with GDPR and other relevant legislation.
• Audit & Continuous Improvement: Lead and coordinate HR Operations audit activities in collaboration with Finance and global teams, using audit outcomes to drive process improvements.
• Project Delivery: Manage the implementation of projects aligned with the People & Culture workplan, including GEDI (Gender, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion) initiatives.
• Employee Relations Administration: Coordinate and administer employee relations matters, including flexible working requests, probation reviews, and redundancy processes, directly managing when possible and escalating risks, for example related to disciplinaries or grievances as appropriate.
Person Specification
• Passion for Humanitarian Work: Demonstrated commitment to working within the humanitarian sector and supporting IRC mission and values.
• HR Leadership Experience: Significant experience in leading HR operations, ideally within the charity or non-profit sector.
• Recruitment Onboarding Expertise: Proven ability to lead safer recruitment practices and deliver effective recruitment initiatives.
• HR Systems Management: Experience in managing and optimising HR systems and processes to ensure accuracy, efficiency, and meaningful data reporting. Experience of Workday would be helpful.
• Leadership & Communication: Excellent leadership, project management, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Process Improvement: Ability to apply process improvement methodologies to streamline workflows, enhance operational efficiency, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Employment Law Knowledge: Up-to-date knowledge of UK employment law and regulatory requirements, ensuring compliance across payroll, contracts, policies, and employee entitlements.
• Team Development: Strong leadership and emotional intelligence, with the ability to mentor HR staff, delegate effectively, and foster a high-performing, supportive team culture through clear communication and constructive feedback.
• Time Management: Exceptional organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, meet tight deadlines, and maintain accuracy in a fast-paced environment.
Qualifications
• CIPD qualification or equivalent (Level 5 or above) preferred
How to apply
Please apply through our website