"Strategic People Partner"

Oxford Brookes University - People Directorate

Location:	Oxford
Salary:	£59,966 rising annually to £67,468 (pro rata if part time)
Hours:	Full Time
Contract Type:	Permanent

Placed On: 15th January 2026

Closes: 4th February 2026

Job Ref: 188166

As a Strategic People Partner (SPP), you will act as a trusted adviser to senior managers within our Faculties and Directorates. Your primary purpose is to develop local people agendas that align with both departmental plans and the broader strategic objectives of the University. You will be responsible for translating the People and Culture Strategy into actionable local plans while designing and delivering vital organisational change initiatives.

You will also be a member of the Senior Management Team of the People Directorate (PD).

Applications for part time will be considered at or above 0.8 fte.

About the team

You will work collaboratively across the People Directorate, co-creating solutions with teams such as Organisational Effectiveness and Development, People Operations, and the Recruitment Partner. Externally, you will build and maintain networks with bodies such as the University Alliance, UCEA, and CIPD, as well as engaging with our recognised Trade Unions (UCU and Unison).

What will I be doing?

• Strategy Implementation: Effectively land and embed the People and Culture Strategy through local plans covering attraction, selection, succession planning, development and employee engagement.
• Performance & Design: Support the improvement of people's performance and ensure business areas are designed in line with organisation design principles to remain fit for purpose.
• Data-Driven Insights: Utilise people metrics and data to identify trends and design solutions for improvements in areas such as sickness absence, NSS outcomes, and REF outcomes.
• Coaching & Advice: Provide coaching, support, and challenge to senior managers, enabling them to handle a variety of people management scenarios effectively.
• EDI Leadership: Act as an EDI champion, addressing equality, diversity, and inclusion within your allocated business areas.
• Provide leadership within PD: As a member of the Senior Management Team and a key point of liaison between people specialists and colleagues across your client areas.

What skills do I need?

We are looking for a resilient, solution-focused professional who can demonstrate:

• Success in a strategic HR Business Partner role with strong coaching, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
• Comprehensive understanding of HR best practice, employment legislation, and current sector trends.
• Experience in organisational development, change management, and performance management.
• The ability to turn complex data into meaningful insights and forward-thinking solutions.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to lead multiple change projects and navigate ambiguity.

About the location

Based at our Headington campus, you’ll experience the vibrant campus atmosphere and benefit from our modern office environment. The campus is one mile from the centre of Oxford and is served by regular public transport. This role will be hybrid and we require 1-2 days on campus per week.

Benefits

As an Oxford Brookes employee, you will enjoy a total of a minimum of 25 days holiday, rising with your service, plus 8 Bank Holidays and additional university concessionary days (approx 5 per year).

We have an extremely competitive Local Government pension scheme with a 19.2% employer contribution rate, as well as providing all staff with financial education and a comprehensive employee assistance helpline.

If you are ready to bring your expertise to a world-leading institution and help shape the future of global education, we invite you to start a conversation with us.

If you have any questions about the role, please do not hesitate to contact the line manager and Chief People Officer, Sarah Thonemann, at sthonemann@brookes.ac.uk.