Deputy Head of HR

Founded in 1882, The Royal College of Music (RCM) is a world leading music conservatoire with a prestigious history and contemporary outlook. Our excellence was recognised by the 2025 QS World University Rankings, in which we were ranked as the global No. 1 institution for both Music and Performing Arts. The College has held this world-leading place in Performing Arts for the four successive years, while Music is a new subject introduced to the rankings in 2024.

The small generalist HR team at the Royal College of Music is seeking to appoint a Deputy Head of HR. On a day-to-day basis the Deputy Head of HR will oversee recruitment, payroll and the issuing of contractual paperwork. The postholder will work closely with the HR Manager and HR Assistants to ensure a consistently excellent standard of service and continuously explore ways in which processes could be carried out more efficiently, particularly through the use of technology.

The Deputy Head of HR will work closely with managers across College to provide expert guidance on employment law, casework, and policy application. The Deputy Head of HR will also be involved in the design and delivery of in-house training.

You should have CIPD level 7 or equivalent professional experience with a strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice. You should have experience of administering pension schemes, ideally with knowledge of USS and/or TPS. Knowledge of job evaluation, specifically HERA is essential. Experience designing and delivering in-house training is desirable.

This post is offered on a permanent, full-time basis and is immediately available. For full details of this position please read the Applicant Information Pack, available to download from the RCM website: www.rcm.ac.uk/jobs. To apply, please complete our: 1. Application form and 2. Equal Opportunities form (available to download from the RCM website) and submit in Word or PDF format by email to recruitment@rcm.ac.uk. CVs without an application form will not be accepted. Please ensure that you include the Job Reference Number when submitting your application.

The RCM is committed to nurturing diverse and inclusive environments for all staff and students to work and learn. We positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates from diverse backgrounds, including race, disability, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion and belief, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, and caring responsibility.