Assistant Director of Human Resources - Strategy & Partnering

Main duties and responsibilities

The Assistant Director of Human Resources – Strategy & Partnering will provide strategic leadership across a portfolio of HR functions. The role involves working closely with senior stakeholders, including the Office of the Vice-Chancellor, to provide expert advice on complex HR matters and contribute to organisational strategy.

You will lead the HR Business Partnering function, ensuring the provision of high-quality professional advice to senior leaders, while overseeing complex employee relations matters, including high-risk casework and employment tribunals. You will ensure that employee relations issues are managed effectively, and that risks are mitigated appropriately.

The role also includes leading engagement with recognised Trade Unions, supporting consultation and negotiation processes, and representing HR on formal committees such as the Joint Negotiating & Consultative Committee (JNCC). You will play a key role in organisational change initiatives, including restructuring and workforce planning, ensuring senior leaders are supported through transformation programmes.

In addition, you will provide leadership across EDI and L&OD functions, ensuring these areas deliver impactful and aligned strategies that support inclusion, staff development, and organisational performance.

You will contribute to business planning, policy development, and the preparation of reports and briefings for senior governance groups and committees, helping to shape strategic decision-making across the institution.

Skills and experience

You will bring significant experience operating at a senior level within HR, ideally within a complex or public sector environment, with a strong track record of delivering strategic people solutions. You will have substantial experience working with recognised Trade Unions and be confident in leading consultation and negotiation processes within a structured industrial relations framework.

You will have demonstrable expertise in managing complex employee relations issues, alongside experience of mitigating organisational risk and supporting employment tribunal activity. Experience of leading and developing high-performing teams across multiple HR disciplines is essential.

A strong working knowledge of UK employment law and its practical application is required. You will be an effective communicator, capable of conveying complex information clearly and influencing decision-making at senior level.

You will demonstrate strong people management and leadership capability. You will also bring strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, operate independently where required, and handle sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.

Qualifications

• Degree (or equivalent) in relevant discipline or significant relevant experience - Essential
• Chartered CIPD membership (MCIPD/FCIPD) or working towards - Essential
• Postgraduate qualification - Desirable