Who are we?

GWR is the proud custodian of Brunel's railway - one of the most prestigious networks in the world. We have some of the newest trains in the country and exciting plans to extend our services. With more than one hundred million passenger journeys each year, we carry people to over 275 stations in the South West, from Cornwall and South Wales to London, passing through beautiful country and some of the UK's top tourist destinations.

We are transforming the way people think about train travel, empowering our team of over 6,000 people from all different backgrounds to make it a great experience for our customers. Together, we will revalue rail as a very special way to travel – relaxing, fast, efficient, friendly and fun.

About the job?

Reporting to the Head of People Services, you will lead a team of HR Administrators to deliver general HR support through queries to the shared inbox. In addition to day-to-day team management, you will be focussed on delivering process and service improvements, working on wider HR projects and driving best HR practice across the business.

The HR Operations Manager will aim to harmonise People Systems, Process, Planning, Metrics, and act as a central coordinator for HR initiatives.

You will also be responsible for working with our Reward and Recognition supplier to improve colleague engagement and manage our employee benefits.

Your main responsibilities will be:

• Lead the day-to-day activities in the HR Operations function, co-ordinating administration activity and ensuring team deliver on agreed SLAs
• Drive innovation and efficiency by improving colleague self-service to drive use of the chatbot and portal
• Work with Heads of HR to review, design and audit application of HR policies and processes to improve the colleague experience
• Working with HR Systems and Insights manager ensuring HR metrics (including inbox, case management system and chatbot), Benefits and R&R are fit for purpose.
• Work with third parties to improve engagement with the Reward & Recognition site and improve and maintain or employee benefit offering leading the IIP (Investors in People) accreditation programme at GWR (Great Western Railway)

You'll need to be:

• Able to demonstrate effective leadership and line management through the wellbeing, performance and on-going development of the team
• Inquisitive and innovative to maximise resources, respond to customer feedback and audit process compliance in the organisation
• Analytical and have a desire to understand the data, providing the Heads in HR quality insight in which to base decisions and guide the business
• An excellent communicator
• A multitasker with the ability to balance competing priorities

As a minimum, you will need to have:

• Project Management experience and process awareness to champion structured ways of working
• Excellent analytical and decision-making abilities
• Experience of supplier and stakeholder management
• Adaptable communication skills both verbal and written
• Confidence to challenge and be challenged particularly when presenting rationale for change
• Strong presentation and computer skills, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Word
• Previous experience of working within a HR function in a similar role
• Hands-on experience with Human Resources Information Systems

About the location?

Milford House, Swindon

Working Pattern?

We offer flexible/hybrid working.

Due to the nature of the role, there will be an element of travel involved

Additional Information?

Interviews will take place week commencing 22nd May

The Reward?

As well as a great team environment and comprehensive training, all GWR colleagues enjoy a range of benefits including on-going development, defined benefit pension scheme, free rail travel across the GWR network for you and your family, company-sponsored health care plan, discounted shopping and gym membership and an employee assistance programme.

We all belong at GWR. This is our vision for providing an inclusive environment for all our colleagues, ensuring all candidates have an equal opportunity to access meaningful employment.

We value our differences such as age, gender, LGBTQIA, ethnicity, religion, and disability. We maintain zero tolerance towards any form of prejudice towards our colleagues, customers, and future talent.

We celebrate and encourage diversity of thought, progressive ways of working and seeing all our colleagues grow and thrive.

We review all roles and job descriptions to ensure they are accessible and, where possible, we support and provide flexible working options; we recommend that you refer to each vacancy description for further details.

If you require additional support to complete your application due to a disability or neurodivergent condition such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, or autism, please follow the links below. We encourage you to share any additional needs you may require so we can provide a fair and equal process for all who apply.

https://exceptionalindividuals.com/neurodiversity/

https://www.healthassured.org/blog/neurodiversity/