People Services Project Manager

Location: London (Hybrid)

About Global University Systems

Global University Systems (GUS) is an international education group that empowers students to transform their lives through education. We believe education drives careers, lives, and society forward, enabling a brighter and more sustainable future for all.  Our institutions offer the broadest range of industry-relevant skills through inclusive, accessible and digital-first learning.  We offer a choice of career-enhancing certificates, degrees and post-graduate level qualifications, equipping our thriving multi-national community of students for lifelong success.  Our world-leading network and state-of-the-art institutions power the upskilling of our students worldwide.  

Summary of role:

We are looking for a People Services Project Manager to lead on a number of significant projects which will strengthen our HR operations to support our UK workforce. These include:

Payroll & Change Delivery

• Lead the transition of UK payroll from an outsourced managed service to an in-house model, with a focus on automation and process improvement. Ensure service levels are maintained through the transition, and all change is tested and guaranteed to pay our employees accurately and on time.

• Lead on further offshoring of UK payrolls by managing transition activity end to end, including planning, communications, training and stakeholder engagement.

• Ensure robust documentation, strong controls, governance, and audits are in place to support accurate and compliant payroll delivery.

People Operations & Service Excellence

• Develop business cases, gain approval and then lead automation and AI implementation across end-to-end employee lifecycle processes. Track benefits realisation.

• Plan and execute further offshoring opportunities including but not limited to College Division onboarding activities. Ensure service standards are maintained throughout transition periods and strong communication and stakeholder engagement is maintained during the change programme.

• Ensure all services have robust Service Level Agreements (SLAs).

• Through various projects/implementations review team capacity to ensure resources are maximised.

• Identify opportunities for further consolidation of UK HR admin processes, systems and suppliers.

Policy, Compliance & Governance

• Develop internal audit processes to ensure compliance with UK employment legislation.

• Champion working groups (UK focussed initially) to collaborate on UK statutory and policy changes, understanding business impact and educating wider HR teams

Systems & Data

• Review current HR systems and develop a roadmap of options to consolidate, streamline and reduce costs of multiple systems.

• Oversee development of Global People dashboard and ensure data is updated, accurate and evolves to provide information and insights that the business needs.

Skills & Experience

Essential

• Experience implementing and managing in-house UK payroll, including project delivery and change management.

• Strong knowledge of UK payroll, tax, pensions, benefits, and statutory pay requirements.

• Solid UK HR experience with a good understanding of employment legislation.

• Exposure to offshore HR or payroll service delivery models.

• End-to-end knowledge of employee lifecycle processes.

• Experience working with HR Information Systems (HRIS).

• Structured, process-driven approach with a focus on continuous improvement.

• Proven coaching, mentoring, and people leadership skills.

Personal Attributes

• Practical and solutions-focused and confident working through change

• Methodical with extreme attention to detail

• Collaborative, a strong communicator and good at building stakeholder relationships

• Comfortable balancing operational detail with wider organisational priorities

What we offer:

• Hybrid working - most roles offer hybrid or flexible arrangements to support work life balance.

• Contributory Pension Scheme - 5% personal contribution & 3% Company contribution, so you can build long-term financial security with added benefits of the company contributions.

• Season Ticket Loan (T&C's apply) - spread the cost of your commute with an interest-free travel loan.

• Training & Development opportunities (T&C's apply) - access to short courses via FutureLearn and Group-wide professional development programmes.

• Staff Discount Scheme - via My Rewards Hub, from various retailers – Fashion, Grocery, Health & Beauty, Travel, Automotive, Furniture, Dining, Sports and Leisure, Electronics, etc

• Employee Assistance Programme - confidential support for your wellbeing, whenever you need it.

We will screen all applicants and select candidates whose qualifications meet our requirements. We will carefully consider your application during the initial screening and will contact you if you are selected to continue for the next stage of the recruitment process. We wish you every success in your job search.

GUS is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, or religion or belief.

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