HR Business Partner

The University of Cambridge is one of the world's foremost universities, widely recognised as a leading centre for research, education, and scholarship. We employ more than 13,000 staff, approximately half of whom are academic or research staff and the other half professional services staff.

Our Human Resources (HR) Division supports the University in achieving its goals of excellence in education, learning, and research through the recruitment, retention, reward, recognition, and development of our staff. We are entering an exciting period of transformation, changing the way we work to deliver even greater impact.

The Role:

As an HR Business Partner (HRBP) aligned to a specific School or Non-School Institution (NSI), you will proactively support managers across the full spectrum of HR practice. You will develop an in-depth understanding of your area and work in partnership with key stakeholders to deliver strategic people priorities.

This is a busy and rewarding role where you will design and implement innovative solutions, applying best practice to foster an inclusive and diverse culture.

Key responsibilities include:

• Acting as a central point of contact for managers, providing advice and guidance on a range of HR issues.
• Coaching and developing managers and colleagues on effective people practices.
• Contributing to the identification and implementation of effective organisational change.
• Advising on and supporting complex employee relations situations.
• Proactively identifying service improvements.
• Leading projects to continuously improve the HR service.

About you:

• Graduate-level education and CIPD membership (or equivalent experience).
• Significant experience in a generalist or specialist HR advisory role, including employment law, case management, and organisational change.
• Ability to advise and influence senior managers on HR issues.
• A positive, flexible approach to problem-solving at both strategic and operational levels.
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills.
• Excellent influencing and negotiation skills, with experience liaising with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to produce and present clearly articulated, well structured, concise reports;
• Experience of project planning and delivery.

For full details, please refer to the Further Information document attached.

Please upload your CV and a supporting statement with your application.

Interviews will be held on Wednesday 17th or Thursday 18th December

We have both fixed term and permanent roles available. Please specify your preference when applying.

Benefits of working at Cambridge include:

• Competitive rates of pay with automatic service-related pay progression and annual cost of living increases;
• Generous annual leave allowance of 41 days paid leave (including bank holidays);
• Family-friendly policies including generous maternity, adoption, and shared parental leave;
• Auto-enrolment pension scheme with a substantial employer contribution;
• Schemes to support with relocation/the provision of accommodation.

This is a full-time opportunity due to the nature of the role, but we welcome applications from individuals who wish to be considered for flexible and hybrid working arrangements.

Temporary cover: This post is fixed-term for 1 years or the return of the post holder, whichever is the earlier.

Applications are welcome from internal candidates who would like to apply for the role on the basis of a secondment from their current role in the University.

Please note: previous applicants within the last 12 months should not re-apply.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a basic disclosure (criminal records check) check and a security check.

Please quote reference AH47852 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Apply online

Key information

Department/location

Human Resources Division

Salary

£42,254-£56,535

Reference

AH47852

Category

Academic-related

Date published

21 November 2025

Closing date

7 December 2025

Download further information

• HRBP Further Information Document - Nov 2025