Director of HR Shared Services

Can you transform core business functions to deliver smarter, faster, leaner support?

Do you thrive in high-volume, multi-site environments where operational excellence is everything?

Can you operate across complex, multi-stakeholder management environments ensuring optimal results for all?

MacGregor Black is partnering with a Significant Multi-Site Operation on the search for a Director of HR Shared Services. This is a permanent hybrid position, located in Manchester.

As Director of Shared Services, you will lead the transformation and delivery of a high-performing, centralised support function that underpins the company’s continued operational and commercial success. You’ll oversee the strategic integration and day-to-day performance of shared functions such as finance operations, payroll, HR services, procurement, IT support and administration.

This is a leadership role for a systems-savvy, service-focused, and commercially sharp professional who thrives in high-volume, operationally complex multi-site environments.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute the shared services strategy, aligning functional delivery with business needs, cost-efficiency targets and service excellence
• Lead, manage and evolve centralised teams covering finance operations, payroll, HR administration, procurement, IT support and other business-critical services
• Deliver continuous improvement across all service lines, ensuring robust processes, technology utilisation and measurable performance standards
• Act as a strategic business partner to the executive leadership team, contributing to operational planning, efficiency drives and cost transformation programmes
• Own service delivery KPIs and ensure each functional area operates at a consistently high standard across all sites and regions
• Oversee compliance and control frameworks within shared services, including audit readiness, risk management and policy alignment
• Lead the implementation and optimisation of systems, automation tools and digital workflows to improve service speed, accuracy and visibility
• Manage change programmes related to process redesign, system upgrades and service model transitions
• Build a strong, service-oriented culture across the function, investing in team development, capability building and cross-functional collaboration

What We're Looking For:

• Significant experience in leading shared services or central operations functions within a large-scale, complex, multi-site organisation
• Proven track record of delivering service transformation, process optimisation and cost efficiency across multiple functions
• Strong understanding of finance operations, HR service delivery, procurement, IT support and payroll governance
• Commercially astute, data-driven and results-oriented, with excellent operational awareness
• Strategic thinker with a practical mindset, able to balance long-term planning with day-to-day delivery
• Exceptional leadership and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence across all levels of the organisation
• Comfortable leading systems and technology change, with a focus on automation, service integration and digital adoption
• High level of integrity, judgement and resilience in managing complex operational challenges and sensitive matters

For more information, please contact Jon McNeish today.