Head of People Partnering & Operations

Grade 9 | 0.6 FTE (22.2 hours per week) | 12-month fixed-term contract

Your normal place of work will be Pittville Campus, although you may be required to work across University sites and in line with the University’s agile working arrangements.

We are looking for an experienced, collaborative and value-led HR leader to join us as our Head of People Partnering and Operations.

Reporting to the Director of People, this is a key leadership role within the People Function, with responsibility for leading our People Partnering service and providing oversight of People Operations. You will directly manage our 3 People Partners who have responsibility for the People Advisors and Administrators and the Operations Partner, helping to ensure a high-quality, inclusive and professional service across the University.

This is a 12-month fixed-term opportunity offered at 0.6 FTE, ideal for someone who combines strategic thinking with strong operational judgement and who enjoys leading through others to deliver high-quality people outcomes.

About the team

Our People Function supports the University through a partnering and operational model that brings together strategic people support, advisory expertise, operational delivery, data and continuous improvement. You will join a values-led, collaborative team committed to delivering an inclusive, professional and high-quality service across the University.

What you will be doing

• Lead and develop our People Partnering and Operations activities, ensuring consistency, quality and a positive customer experience across the University.
• Act as the senior escalation point for complex employee relations matters, organisational change and wider people risk.
• Lead key strategic People projects and help translate our People Strategy and priorities into practical delivery.
• Support the Director of People with trade union relationships, consultation and engagement.
• Work with senior leaders and managers across the University to provide credible, pragmatic and solution-focused people leadership.
• Ensure effective alignment between partnering, operations, people data, policy and service improvement.

What we are looking for

• Substantial senior HR / People leadership experience in a complex organisation.
• Strong experience of leading HR Business Partnering / People Partnering and/or People Operations services.
• A track record of managing complex employee relations matters and supporting organisational change.
• The confidence to work credibly with senior stakeholders and trade union representatives.
• The ability to lead through others, build capability and drive service improvement.
• A strong understanding of employment law, people risk and inclusive practice.
• Experience of using people data and insight to shape decisions and improve services.