People Operations Lead - EMEA

Requirements

• Experience with regulatory regimes, including SMCR and remuneration requirements, strongly preferred
• International exposure and relevant experience supporting EMEA locations preferred
• Strong HR systems capability; Workday experience a plus
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Excel, with strong data accuracy and reporting discipline
• Experience working in a fast-paced, results-oriented and highly confidential environment
• To be eligible, you must have or be able to obtain UK work authorisation
• Solid track record in a similar position; likely currently operating in an HR Service Delivery, People Operations or HR Operations role in Financial Services and ready to step into a lead role
• Ambitious self-starter with the ability to work independently in a dynamic, demanding environment while maintaining excellent judgement and follow-through
• Highly organised, detail-oriented and intellectually curious, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and simultaneous projects with minimal supervision
• Proactive team player who builds strong relationships, contributes beyond core responsibilities and seeks practical ways to add value to the team and the firm

About the role

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day delivery of People Operations across onboarding, employee changes, mobility, payroll inputs, benefits administration, employee records and offboarding for EMEA.
• Serve as the escalation point for complex employee queries, process exceptions and time-sensitive operational issues, applying sound judgement and confidentiality.
• Set clear service standards, controls, documentation practices and operating procedures to ensure work is accurate, consistent, timely and audit-ready.
• Partner with HR leadership, HR Business Partners, Recruitment, Compensation, Benefits, Payroll, Legal, Compliance, Finance, IT and external vendors to deliver joined-up regional support.
• Drive international relocations and assignments, coordinating with employees, internal stakeholders and external vendors to ensure a smooth and compliant experience.
• Manage HR onboarding for EMEA new hires, including background screening, orientation, documentation, right-to-work requirements and HR aspects of the SMCR Certification process.
• Oversee lifecycle changes including transfers, manager changes, promotions, contract amendments, leave events and employee data updates across systems and payroll inputs.
• Manage voluntary leaver processes, including exit paperwork, exit interviews, system updates and accurate final payroll and benefits inputs.
• Partner with Recruiting and hiring managers to support a seamless candidate-to-employee transition, with timely documentation, approvals and onboarding handover.
• Understand the Remuneration Code for the UK and relevant European locations, helping navigate unique offer structures, role-specific considerations and candidate requirements.
• Maintain accurate HR systems and employee files, ensuring documentation is complete, appropriately filed and aligned with data protection and internal control requirements.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and constructive challenge across People Operations processes, workflows, templates and employee touchpoints.
• Leverage industry best practice and internal feedback to simplify processes, reduce manual effort, strengthen controls and improve the employee experience.

What you'll get

• Discretionary incentive compensation eligibility; medical and life insurance; retirement and tax-free savings plans; additional healthcare programs.

Skills

Workday · Microsoft Word · PowerPoint · Outlook · Excel · SMCR · Remuneration Code