The Head of People Operations is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing and optimising People technology, processes and services, and ensuring they are consistently aligned with the organisation’s strategic goals and the People strategy. This role focuses on the strategic and operational People functions that include payroll, service delivery, HR technology, regulatory compliance, operational excellence and HR budget.

The Head of People Operations is responsible for delivering comprehensive people operations to Aer Lingus employees across Ireland, UK, Spain and the US, managing a team of 9.
As a key leader through a period of significant transformation for the People team, this role will be key in driving major relevant HR initiatives including implementation of a new HRIS and vendor transition, while ensuring excellent ongoing service delivery through our outsourced delivery model.

Vendor Partnership & Service Delivery

• Service Delivery Excellence: Oversee daily service performance, drive quality improvements, and maintain strong, respectful vendor relationships.
• Provider Selection & Transition: Lead RFP processes, design service frameworks, and manage seamless transitions, ensuring effective knowledge transfer.
• Vendor Management: Develop governance frameworks, monitor SLAs, optimize performance and costs, and resolve escalations efficiently.
• Stakeholder Management: Foster collaboration with providers, ensure clear communication, and align stakeholder expectations with deliverables.

Strategic Leadership & Operational Excellence

• Align People Operations strategy with business objectives to drive organizational goals.
• Develop and implement measurable service delivery plans with an employee-centric focus.
• Ensure seamless employee experiences across the lifecycle, supported by shared values and behaviors.
• Lead service planning, forecasting, and capacity management while governing the People Operations Service Catalogue.
• Oversee core HR processes, including onboarding/offboarding, payroll, leave management, employment screening, and facilities management.
• Leverage analytics and reporting for data-driven decision-making.
• Foster cross-functional partnerships to enhance the employee experience.

Transformation Leadership & Change Management

• Lead major HR transformation initiatives, including HRIS implementation, HR Service Management technology deployment, knowledge base creation, and Tier 1 service provider RFP processes.
• Design and articulate future HR service delivery models, including operating frameworks and change management strategies.
• Drive organizational adoption, ensuring seamless transitions from project delivery to operational excellence.
• Develop and execute comprehensive transition plans to move from current to future states effectively.

Risk Management & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with employment laws, data privacy, and regulatory requirements.
• Develop and standardize People Operations policies across locations, ensuring alignment with broader People policies.
• Monitor People metrics to identify trends and mitigate risks in partnership with senior leadership.
• Maintain robust data security protocols and oversee vendor regulatory compliance.
• Manage risk during provider transitions to ensure continuity and adherence to standards.

People & Financial Leadership

• Lead, develop, and coach the People Operations team.
• Manage performance reviews and professional development.
• Coordinate annual business and financial planning.
• Manage budgets and quarterly reforecasts.
• Develop business cases for major initiatives.
• Partner with Finance on budget management and vendor costs.

• Degree in HR, Business, IT, or equivalent experience.
• 10+ years in People Operations/Service Delivery roles, with 5+ years in leadership.
• Proven experience in large HR transformation projects (HRIS implementation, service delivery redesign).
• Expertise in managed services, outsourcing, and offshoring.
• Knowledge of Tier 1 HRIS (Workday, SAP SuccessFactors) and case management tools (ServiceNow, Salesforce).
• Familiarity with lean methodologies and employment laws in Ireland/UK.
• Strong service orientation, balancing operational efficiency with employee experience.
• Skilled in program and project management, from planning to execution.
• Data-driven, using metrics to optimize performance and identify improvement areas.
• Proficient in process improvement, including mapping, re-engineering, and automation.
• Deep understanding of compliance, risk management, and People policy adherence.
• Technologically proficient with a proactive approach to adopting new tools.
• Strong communicator, adept at stakeholder engagement across all levels.
• Experienced leader, skilled in developing high-performing, inclusive teams.
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken.
• Eligible to live and work in the Republic of Ireland without restriction.
• Able to provide details of 2 verifiable references.
• Able to pass a 5 – year security background check.
• Prepared to complete a medical questionnaire.

Closing Date: 6th December 2024

At Aer Lingus, we embrace diversity and believe in providing equal opportunities to all qualified individuals. We are dedicated to cultivating an inclusive and respectful work environment that values employees' unique backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We do not discriminate based on race, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or any other protected status. If you have any questions or require any accommodations to support you in your application, please contact us at recruit@aerlingus.com.