Overall purpose:
The Head of People and Culture is responsible for leading, developing and delivering the People operations for the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences (LMS) and for the Institute of Clinical Sciences (ICS), a department in the Faculty of Medicine in Imperial College London. The post holder is also responsible for liaising with the HR teams within UKRI, the MRC and within Imperial, providing solutions to complex people issues in support of the LMS and ICS mission, ensuring compliance with UKRI/MRC and University policies and good practice.
The post holder supports the Director and Head of Operations, providing vision, development and operation of the People and Culture department for the Institute.
The post holder has high visibility and a prominent leadership role within the LMS and ICS and must demonstrate sound judgement in providing the crucial support that both entities require. They will exert a high level of influence, visibility, direction and confidence when dealing with senior management both internally and externally.
Main duties & key responsibilities:
1. Team leadership
1. Management of the People and Culture team.
2. Leading, developing and delivering the People and Culture operations for the MRC LMS and Imperial ICS, liaising with the University HR team
3. Implementing and evaluating continuous improvement processes in the operations People and Culture team to enhance the overall effectiveness, including development of the team members
4. Ensuring effective People policies and practices are followed, including relevant UKRI and Imperial policies
5. Considering and deciding what action, if any, should be taken arising out of audits, including liaising with auditors to ensure compliance
6. Providing solutions to complex people issues in support of the LMS’s mission, ensuring compliance with MRC/UKRI and University policies and good practice. Provision of insightful information and analysis, and risk management advice. Ensuring that communication is structured to ensure understanding and, where necessary, influencing the decisions made as a result of the information given
7. Responsible for salary forecasting for the Institute, working closely with the Head of Operations and Head of Finance
8. Building, maintaining and leveraging internal and external relationships and partnerships across UKRI, the MRC, Imperial and Imperial NHS Trust, and within external scientific organisations nationally and internationally. Lead negotiations with external stakeholders such as the University and the NHS Trust on people matters as required benchmarking, influencing their approach and securing agreement
9. Taking a leading representative role for the LMS to UKRI, MRC Head Office, other MRC establishments, University and other bodies with whom the Institute interacts
2. Recruitment, on-boarding and off-boarding
10. Management of recruitment for the LMS and in partnership with Imperial HR for roles recruited to the ICS. Providing advice on international recruitment including visa applications
11. Advising managers, including the Director and Head of Operations, on employment issues including recruitment, performance management and contractual issues for MRC and Imperial employees. This may involve obtaining advice from MRC Corporate HR, Imperial HR and consultation with UKBA and employment law solicitors
12. Development of marketing and advertising approaches to maximise reach to potential candidates and to provide timely information about the LMS
13. Management of on-boarding of staff to ensure they are set up to succeed from day one in the role
14. Management of off-boarding to ensure that staff are given opportunities to provide feedback to the LMS
3. People development
15. Development and coaching of LMS/ICS group leaders, including monitoring of performance, and academic promotion
16. Overall responsibility for the training and development strategy for the LMS
17. Working with the Chain Florey Committee and Clinical Programme Manager to implement career development opportunities for Clinician Scientists
18. With the Head of Operations and Director of Post-graduate Studies, writing the Research Training, Career Development and Capacity Building section of the LMS QQR Institute Report
4. Culture
19. Leadership of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) strategy and implementation plan for the Institute, including the development of KPIs for the LMS
20. People project work for the LMS, for example the LMS/ICS Athena Swan application and action plan, and developing cultural aspects aligned with the Director’s scientific strategy
21. Providing expert advice and input into LMS organisational culture initiatives including the Athena Swan delivery group and working groups on Career Development, and Work–Life Balance
22. Management of staff surveys and working with key stakeholders to develop and implement recommendations
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Education / Qualifications / Training required (will be assessed from application form):
Essential:
23. Postgraduate level HR or Management qualification (CIPD, Diploma)
24. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
Desirable:
25. Fellow of the CIPD or MBA
Previous work Experience required (will be assessed from application form and at interview):
Essential:
26. Significant relevant experience of leadership roles and managing budgets, teams and services
27. Significant experience of developing HR strategy
28. Experience of working in a University
29. Experience of working in a scientific research environment
Desirable:
30. Experience of leading organisational change projects
31. Understanding of clinical training schemes and clinical academic contracts
Knowledge and Experience (will be assessed from application form and at interview):
Essential:
32. Sound knowledge of corporate policy, HR practices and procedures ideally in the public and charitable sector
33. Expert knowledge of employment case law
34. Experience of being lead decision maker in a multifunctional research organisation
35. Proven track record of building effective working relationships at all levels within the organisation and with external stakeholders including UKSBS, Imperial College
Desirable:
36. Project management facilitation and coordination skills to provide deliverables to tight time-frames
Personal skills / Behaviours / Qualities (will be assessed at the interview):
Essential:
37. Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate and manage services and staff
38. Proven ability to listen, understand business needs and provide solutions in a proactive and principled manner
39. Highly developed interpersonal skills, elicit confidence and able to command respect as a trusted advisor to senior management within the LMS, Imperial College and in discussions with MRC Head Office
40. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as part of a team and to lead a team/projects as required to achieve outcomes for the LMS
41. Flexible and adaptable approach, capable of planning, prioritising and delivering on a multitude of tasks in a fast paced environment
42. Refined influencing skills with the ability to make and communicate sound HR recommendations
43. Appreciative of the culture of the LMS and the MRC
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