Assistant Director of HR (Business Partnering)

Overview

In this senior HR leadership role, you will shape and deliver the University’s People Strategy through the HR Business Partnering team. You will lead complex employee relations, transformation design, service development, and workforce planning, ensuring high standards of HR practice aligned with legislation. The role offers broad visibility and an opportunity to drive culture change, performance, and trusted partnerships across Colleges and Professional Services. You will influence senior leaders and contribute to a mission-driven, values-led institution.

Pay / Benefits

• competitive salary package
• excellent pension scheme
• generous annual leave
• supportive and collaborative environment

Responsibilities

• Lead the HR Business Partner/Advisory team and provide strategic HR partnering across the University
• Shape transformation design, service development, and culture change initiatives
• Manage complex employee relations issues and advise on workforce matters
• Develop and implement engagement strategies and reward processes
• Drive workforce planning and continuous improvement in HR services
• Ensure alignment with changing employment legislation and best HR practice
• Build trusted relationships with senior leaders and trade unions
• Contribute to shaping the People Strategy in collaboration with the HR leadership team

Key requirements

• Senior-level HR leadership experience in a large, complex organisation
• Chartered CIPD Level 7 qualification
• Track record of leading HR teams, delivering organisational change, and influencing senior stakeholders
• Ability to translate organisational priorities into actionable HR solutions
• Strong advisory capabilities across a broad range of workforce matters
• Comfort working at pace and influencing complex agendas

• strategic thinking
• influence and negotiation
• relationship building
• employee relations
• organisational change
• workforce planning

…