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 '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.

• 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

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

• 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)

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.…