HR Operations Manager, EMEA

About Us

Sophos is a global leader and innovator of advanced security solutions for defeating cyberattacks. The company acquired Secureworks in February 2025, bringing together two pioneers that have redefined the cybersecurity industry with their innovative, native AI-optimized services, technologies and products. Sophos is now the largest pure-play Managed Detection and Response (MDR) provider, supporting more than 28,000 organizations. In addition to MDR and other services, Sophos' complete portfolio includes industry-leading endpoint, network, email, and cloud security that interoperate and adapt to defend through the Sophos Central platform. Secureworks provides the innovative, market-leading Taegis XDR/MDR, identity threat detection and response (ITDR), next-gen SIEM capabilities, managed risk, and a comprehensive set of advisory services. Sophos sells all these solutions through reseller partners, Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) worldwide, defending more than 600,000 organizations worldwide from phishing, ransomware, data theft, other every day and state-sponsored cybercrimes. The solutions are powered by historical and real-time threat intelligence from Sophos X-Ops and the newly added Counter Threat Unit (CTU). Sophos is headquartered in Oxford, U.K. More information is available at

ROLE SUMMARY

Sophos wishes to establish an HR shared services function to support its EMEA HR practices with a global lens on generic and efficient HR operational practices.  

This is a player/manager role, where the post holder would be expected to review current practice, and define and deliver a road map to establishing a shared services model in EMEA, closely aligned to the Global HR Operations teams. The role will require a global lens with ability to establish effective Operational support to a multi-country

region.Initially

, there would be a very small team of 1 or 2 direct reports but it is anticipated this will build out in the future as more and more processes are automated and/or practices are mapped for more efficient responses. 

In the longer-term, the post holder will ensure end-to-end (hire to retire) support for transactions, e.g. onboarding(offers, contracts, background checks) and off-boarding, payroll process reporting, HR system management and updates, responding to established policy queries. This role bridges HR operational excellence, HR business partners and, HR subject matter experts (e.g. comp, benefits, etc), other linked departments (e.g. payroll, IT, etc) and external vendors to maintain service-level agreements and seamless employee experiences across multiple countries with numerous language disciplines. 

The EMEA HR team supports circa 1700 employees in region.  

The role is new to Sophos and expected to be transformative in way we deliver these services today.  

What you will do

• Initially,
• Determine a plan to review the processes completed across the team of coordinators aligned to global strategy and opportunities to scale much of our current practices; share the plan and gain buy in of key stakeholders.
• Build key stakeholder relationships and resources that will provide support, to successfully map and change practices (automation, process mapping, SLA, RACIs, etc) to improving our HR operations (globally/locally).
• Identify 'low hanging fruit' to align processes across the team
• Establish 'tiger teams' to document, map and change their practices – the team are mixed in seniority, experience and current capability and are multi-language disciplined.

• Get up to speed on, key objectives and current projects that can be absorbed or included in the role of the incumbent (currently multiple 'tiger teams' (projects) that have a touchpoint to our operational activities).

• Longer-term

• Oversee day-to-day HR transactional activities (e.g. offers/contracts, onboarding and off-boarding, payroll, benefits, HRIS updates, etc)
• Manage a team of HR Coordinators, including coaching, development and performance reviews working closely with each to develop the 'team' as well as individuals within that team (shared goals, experiences, development, opportunities)
• Partner with payroll providers, HRIS and IT teams to ensure accurate data flow between HR systems (e.g. Lever, Success Factors, payroll systems, JIRA etc)
• Design and monitor SLAs, KPIs and quality metrics; lead root-cause analysis and corrective actions
• Continue to develop a ticketed (JIRA) system with a view to maximising operational efficiencies and improved employee experience (i.e. freeing up
• Champion continuous improvement projects—process mapping, automation, working closely with Global Operations teams
• Maintain compliance with employment legislation, internal governance and audit requirements

What you will Bring

• Proven experience in an HR shared-services environment, ideally managing or Team Leading a multi-layered team.
• Strong analytical skills: adept at data reporting, trend analysis and presenting insights to senior stakeholders.
• Operational mindset: process design, project management and change-management acumen.
• Technical proficiency in HRIS and ticketing platforms (Successfactors, JIRA a plus).
• People leadership: empathy, coaching, conflict resolution and stakeholder management.

Ready to Join Us?

At Sophos, we believe in the power of diverse perspectives to fuel innovation. Research shows that candidates sometimes hesitate to apply if they don't check every box in a job description. We challenge that notion. Your unique experiences and skills might be exactly what we need to enhance our team. Don't let a checklist hold you back – we encourage you to apply.

What's Great About Sophos?

·   Sophos operates a remote-first working model, making remote work the primary option for most employees. However, some roles may necessitate a hybrid approach.
While we are a remote first organization, applicants must have legal authorization to work in the jurisdiction where the position is posted, without requiring employer sponsorship.

·   Our people – we innovate and create, all of which are accompanied by a great sense of fun and team spirit

·   Employee-led diversity and inclusion networks that build community and provide education and advocacy

·   Annual charity and fundraising initiatives and volunteer days for employees to support local communities

·   Global employee sustainability initiatives to reduce our environmental footprint

·   Global fitness and trivia competitions to keep our bodies and minds sharp

·   Global wellbeing days for employees to relax and recharge

·   Monthly wellbeing webinars and training to support employee health and wellbeing

Our Commitment To You

We're proud of the diverse and inclusive environment we have at Sophos, and we're committed to ensuring equality of opportunity.   We believe that diversity, combined with excellence, builds a better Sophos, so we encourage applicants who can contribute to the diversity of our team.  All applicants will be treated in a fair and equal manner and in accordance with the law regardless of gender, sex, gender reassignment, marital status, race, religion or belief, color, age, military veteran status, disability, pregnancy, maternity or sexual orientation.  We want to give you every opportunity to show us your best self, so if there are any adjustments we could make to the recruitment and selection process to support you, please let us know.

Data Protection

If you choose to explore an opportunity, and subsequently share your CV or other personal details with Sophos, these details will be held by Sophos for 12 months in accordance with our Privacy Policy and used by our recruitment team to contact you regarding this or other relevant opportunities at Sophos.  If you would like Sophos to delete or update your details at any time, please follow the steps set out in the Privacy Policy describing your individual rights.  For more information on Sophos' data protection practices, please consult our Privacy Policy Cybersecurity as a Service Delivered | Sophos