Human Resource Business Partner Location: Edinburgh
Grade 8 (£46,735 to £57,422)
Covering all University Campuses globally, the HR Directorate provides a range of strategic and operational HR Support and Guidance to the leaders, managers, and employees of the University. The services cover the full employee cycle from the point of attracting staff as potential employees, through their recruitment and induction, career development, reward, and recognition. There are HR colleagues based in Edinburgh, Dubai and Malaysia organised around six Divisions, Recruitment, Professional and Organisational Development, Reward and Wellbeing, Business Partnering & Employee Relations, Payroll and Shared Operations.
The HR Business Partnering team has 4 HR BPs (including this vacancy), 5 HR Consultants, 2 HR Advisors and an Employee Relations Manager. It is a great time to join the team and be part of continual improvement of the Business Partner model as the University develops its new 10-year strategy.
Purpose of Role
* As a senior member of the HR Directorate, the HR Business Partner strategically aligns HR initiatives with business goals providing challenge, coaching and guidance to their Senior Leadership teams. You will develop and maintain a good understanding of the Business Unit’s you support in order to align people solutions to each area.
* Lead in your areas on the development of Strategic Workforce Planning.
* Work with the senior leadership team of client areas to ensure that Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Wellbeing and the University Values are built into the strategy and day-to-day management of the area.
* Lead the people work-streams of any change programmes, consulting and working in partnership with union representatives as appropriate.
* Manage and/or coach members of the HR Business Partnering team.
* Deliver excellent customer service and support ongoing improvements to the full range of services from the Business Partnering team and in partnership with other HR Divisions.
* Provide advice on complex people management issues and collaborate closely with the team on the management and resolution of individual employee relations cases.
Summary of Key Duties and Responsibilities:
* Work with the senior management teams to implement their People Strategies through linking University goals to the specific activities and strategic plans of the client area ensuring all people-related aspects are considered and assist in the development of business cases to support investment in the structures.
* Line manage and/or manage project work which may include project teams from across the University.
* Contribute to the development and review of HR Policies and Procedures. Identify the need to develop new policies and local procedures based on the client areas.
* Responsible for the design, development, and implementation of the people workstreams of any organisational restructures and growth plans within client areas. You will identify HR implications and risks of change management strategies, consulting, and reporting as appropriate.
* Develop strong working relationships with the union representatives in the UK, engaging promptly and positively in relation to matters of organisational change and individual employee cases.
* Work closely with the senior management team of client areas to deliver change in a way that supports the University values and ensures adherence to University principles, policies, and procedures.
* Work with senior management teams to develop workforce and succession plans for client areas. Ensure that all recruitment activity is aligned with the client area workforce plan and people strategy.
* Coach and influence managers within the client area, so that they have a prime focus on developing management and leadership skills.
* Support Team Development for any leadership teams within the client area, delivering interventions that might include team building, strategy development, action planning, people development workshops etc.
* Identify the talent pipeline for development activities working closely with the Organisational Development Team.
Education, Qualifications and Experience
Essential
1. Educated to first degree level or equivalent or equivalent practical experience in the workplace.
2. Experience of managing a team and/or managing a specific HR service with continual service improvement.
3. Experience working at a Business Partner level and building strong relationships and internal networks.
4. Demonstrable experience of managing change and delivering people-related workstreams and longer-term workforce planning exercises.
5. Demonstrable ability to operate in a complex and fast-changing environment.
6. Demonstrated experience in influencing and coaching.
7. Demonstrable ability to work in a complex, agile organisation.
Desirable
1. Chartered Member of CIPD.
2. Project Management skills.
3. Experience of operating in a complex global environment.
4. Experience of Job Evaluation systems (HWU uses HERA).
5. Experience of cloud-based people systems as part of an integrated ERP system (e.g., Oracle).
How to Apply
Applications can be submitted up to midnight (UK time) on Wednesday 16th April 2025.
Applications must include a CV and covering letter.
At Heriot Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together.
Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised, and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities.
Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our University community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups.
We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part-time working and job share options.
Interviews will take place at our Edinburgh Campus. Interviews are anticipated w/c 28th of April.
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