"Deputy Head of Human Resources (Internal Applicants only)"

Deputy Head of Human Resources (Internal Applicants only)

*Internal Applicants only
The Radcliffe Department of Medicine (RDM) is a large, multi-disciplinary, multi-site department in Oxford whose vision is to use science to support a healthier, longer life for all. This new permanent post of Deputy Head of HR is a senior HR partner role, providing strategic and operational expertise across the department. The post will play a critical part in delivering high-quality HR services, supporting organisational change and development in the department.

A fully-qualified HR professional (CIPD qualified at Level 7 or with equivalent demonstrated professional experience), you will have substantial senior-level HR experience within a complex organisation, ideally within Higher Education, the NHS or a similarly regulated public-sector environment. You will act as a trusted adviser to RDM’s Head of HR, Business Managers and senior stakeholders, contributing to the creation of and responsible for the delivery of strategic HR initiatives and the resolution of complex operational challenges. You will provide senior-level HR input across the full employee lifecycle, including recruitment, onboarding, performance management, career development, engagement and employee relations, ensuring compliance with University policy and UK employment legislation.

You will report to RDM’s Head of HR and be a member of RDM’s cross-departmental professional services team, line-managing the EDI and Strategic Projects Facilitator and matrix line-managing the team’s part-time HR officer and the HR work of the team’s Administrator. You will coordinate and provide senior professional direction to the RDM HR Practitioners’ Network to ensure the smooth and effective delivery of HR services while navigating the complexities of a large university department. To be effective in this role, you will build and maintain strong, effective relationships with senior academic and professional services colleagues in the department, the Medical Sciences Division HR team and the University’s People Department.

Following the recent launch of RDM’s Research Strategy 2025-30, there is a key requirement to develop a supporting departmental People Strategy. We are currently engaged in strategic planning and scoping, and envisage implementing a planned series of organisational design and implementation projects over the coming years. Projects will include our organisational structure and the provision of professional services in the department.

This is a new and broad-ranging post which offers the opportunity to make a significant contribution to a large and ambitious medical sciences department.

This position is based primarily on the John Radcliffe Hospital site and is offered at Grade 8 on a full-time basis (part-time at a minimum 0.8 FTE will be considered). There will be the opportunity to discuss a combination of onsite/remote working as appropriate to the role.

If you are interested in applying, you are welcome to contact the Head of HR, Emma Engel (emma.engel@rdm.ox.ac.uk), for an informal discussion to find out more about the role.

With more details in the ‘How to Apply’ section of the job description, as part of your application you will be required to upload a CV and supporting statement that should provide evidence as to how you meet the essential criteria for the post, using examples of your skills and experience to date.

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on 5th March 2026. In-person interviews are expected to be held on 26th March 2026.

Committed to equality and valuing diversity.

Location: John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford, OX3 9DS

Salary: £49,119 – £58,265 per annum (with a discretionary range to £63,489) per annum, inclusive of a pensionable Oxford University Weighting

Pay Scale: STANDARD GRADE 8

Vacancy ID: 184961