HR Operations Officer

Contract Type: Permanent (Successful candidate must be based in the UK)

SOAS University of London is the leading Higher Education institution in Europe specialising in the study of Asia, Africa and the Near and Middle East.  In response to the changing world around us, it is essential SOAS continues to adapt how it responds to and operates in order to be leaders in delivering exceptional education to our students and to support and attract the best academic talent globally.

SOAS has reset its strategic plans through ‘Reimagining SOAS for the 21st Century’ to ensure priorities for the university are clearly focussed on providing the best educational services and facilities for our students and staff, and maximising opportunities internationally.

About the Department:

The Recruitment and HR Operations Team is also transforming its operations to support SOAS’ strategic plans. We are working to enhance the recruitment and selection service for both Academic and Professional Services roles, introducing new ways of working, increasing automation of processes and other process improvement, and delivering on key performance metrics, to ensure the service is efficient, effective, and timely.

About the Role

You will provide excellent operational HR advice, support, and guidance to managers and staff across SOAS and acts as the first point of contact for employees. You will take ownership of and proactively support the administration of all aspects of HR operations for your area, with a focus on customer experience from the point of view of employees.

You will be responsible for implementing employee variations of contract and other changes across the employee lifecycle, as well as implementing processes and procedures such as UKVI compliance, maternity and sickness pay, other employee benefits, and employment related legislation. It ensures the HR databases (VT and ResourceLink) are up to date and accurate. 

The team also provide administrative services to deliver mandatory training, budget management, support annual exercises such as discretionary pay increases, and one-off projects such as restructures. 

About you

You will hold an undergraduate degree (or equivalent) and a CIPD level 5 qualification or equivalent significant HR professional experience. You will also have understanding of employee lifecycle changes and experience of processing high-volume employment contractual documentation ideally within Higher Education and a detailed working knowledge of UK employment contract and immigration regulations.

You will be a strong administrator, with the resilience and tenacity to manage conflicting priorities, the ability to use multiple HR and IT systems simultaneously, along with a strong eye for detail.

To apply, please click the 'Apply' button, above.

Closing date: 2^nd January 2026 by 23:59             

Interviews: January 2026

Further information

If you have any questions or require any assistance with regard to the application process,
please contact us via the HR Contact Form | SOAS. of their contract.

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