HR Operations Manager - Maternity Cover - Wildfowl & Wetland Trust : Job Details

HR Operations Manager - Maternity Cover

Location: WWT HQ in Slimbridge, Gloucestershire – Hybrid working available

Contract: Fixed Term for 8 months

Hours: Full Time. Compressed hours working a 9 day fortnight will be considered

Salary: £42,580 per annum, pro rata

About The Role

We are seeking an experienced HR Manager / HR Operations Manager to join our team on a fixed term basis from October 2025 to cover a period of maternity leave of 8 months which will include time with the current post holder for induction. It's an exciting time to join our team as we work through departmental change and transformation.

This role will lead the provision of a high quality, efficient and cost-effective HR Service for WWT (both in the UK and overseas) for employed staff and casual workers through a fantastic team of administrators and working with HR Business Partners.

As this role is on a fixed term basis, it will primarily focus on ensuring the delivery of administration for the employee lifecycle, systems administration and optimisation of payroll and recruitment products, statutory reporting and policy / procedure development. The successful candidate will possess a unique skill of ensuring compliance but also continuous improvement.

Experience of working with People XD (an Access product) and / or Eploy recruitment systems is advantageous.

About You

• Are you a HR professional who loves systems, people and purpose?
• Do you have a strong background in UK HR and / or HR Operations?
• Do you get a buzz from improving systems and processes, making them simpler, smoother and smarter - for both HR teams and our people?
• Do you enjoy turning complex data into clear insights that drive better decision making?
• Can you stay calm under pressure, juggle competing priorities and still keep your eye for detail?
• Are you a natural problem-solver who thinks both logically and creatively?
• And - importantly - do you want to use your skills to help improve our natural world?

If you've been nodding along, we'd love to hear from you.

You'll be supporting colleagues in the UK, Cambodia and Madagascar - though don't worry if you don't have international HR experience just yet. If you've got a solid grounding in UK employment law and payroll, we'll support you to learn what's needed for our international operations. And no, you won't be expected to travel outside of the UK during the contract.

We know we're asking a lot - especially for a fixed term role - and we also know that great candidates sometimes hesitate to apply unless they tick every box. If you're excited about this role and believe you can bring value to the team, we'd love to hear from you, even if your experience doesn't align with every listed criterion.

About Us

We’re WWT, and we’re on a mission to restore the super-powered ecosystems we call wetlands. There’s never been a more important moment for our work, and we’ve got some phenomenal people on the case.

Whether they’re taking a new visitor under their wing, or conducting ground-breaking research further afield, our team are second to none. And there’s nothing we love more than watching them soar.

Whatever you do here, you’ll be helping to restore wetlands and unlock their power. So, the only question left is, what role will you play?

Why you’ll love working at WWT

• Wake up every day knowing your work is helping to restore wetlands, and our world
• Be surrounded and inspired by our team of passionate, dedicated people
• 33 days annual leave (which goes up to 38 days after 5 years of service) – this includes bank holidays and you have flexibility to take those days whenever you want
• Free entry to all our wetland centres, including your family
• Free car parking and secure bike storage areas
• Colleague discount on shopping and memberships
• Cycle to work scheme
• Contributory pension scheme
• Life Assurance of three times your salary, for peace of mind for your loved ones
• Independent personal, workplace and financial advice from Care first

Closing Date: 14/09/2025

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

WWT is an equal opportunities employer and all applications will be considered solely on merit.

At WWT, we're committed to creating an inclusive, supportive workplace where diversity is celebrated and everyone can thrive as their full selves. We actively welcome applications from individuals under-represented in the environmental and charity sectors.

No agencies please.