HR People Partner

Overview

In this HR People Partner role, you will translate UCL’s people strategy into practical solutions that shape staff development, engagement, recruitment, and retention. You’ll partner with senior leaders to deliver strategic people priorities, navigate complex employee relations, and use data to inform decisions. You’ll support organisational change, workforce planning, performance, and culture initiatives, acting as a trusted advisor across faculties and services. This is a values-led, collaborative opportunity to drive inclusive leadership and high performance in a large, complex university.

Pay / Benefits

• 41 days’ holiday (27 days annual leave, 8 bank holidays, 6 closure days)
• Option to purchase 5 additional days’ annual leave
• CARE pension scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Season ticket loan
• Relocation support for eligible posts

Responsibilities

• Partner with senior leaders to deliver strategic people priorities within a designated faculty or across the organisation
• Advise on complex employee relations matters and use data to inform decision-making
• Translate people strategy into practical solutions for staff development, engagement, recruitment, and retention
• Support organisational change, workforce and succession planning, and performance management
• Bridge stakeholders with Centres of Expertise to ensure effective outcomes and constructive challenge
• Champion inclusive leadership and diverse talent pipelines to foster wellbeing and development
• Develop deep understanding of faculty culture, challenges, and ambitions to tailor people solutions
• Build strong partnerships with senior academic and professional services leaders to deliver priorities

Key requirements

• Experienced HR professional with success in complex matrix environments
• Proven track record in managing complex employee relations cases
• Credible with senior stakeholders and able to influence and coach leaders
• Experience delivering people initiatives that improve engagement and organisational effectiveness
• Evidence-based decision-making and ability to work with data
• Comfort with ambiguity and balancing risk with priorities
• Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in everyday practice
• Experience in large public sector, higher education, or similarly complex organisation
• Strong collaboration with centres of expertise and autonomous and cross-functional teamwork

• Influencing and coaching
• Strong communication and stakeholder management
• Problem-solving and sound judgement
• Employee relations management
• Workforce planning and change management
• People analytics and data-informed decision-making

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