Senior HR Advisor / HR Partner

Higher Education Hybrid Working

We are supporting a UK university with the appointment of an experienced HR Partner to join their Human Resources team. This is a key, business-facing role providing expert HR and employee relations support across academic and professional services departments.

The role would suit an HR professional who is confident operating independently, managing complex ER casework, and partnering closely with senior stakeholders in a unionised environment.

As an HR Partner, you will provide high-quality, pragmatic HR advice and support to managers and staff, ensuring compliance with employment law and university policies while promoting a positive staff experience. You will act as a trusted advisor on employee relations, workforce planning, organisational change, and HR best practice.

• Provide professional HR advice and guidance to line managers on employee relations matters including discipline, grievance, capability, sickness absence, and investigations
• Manage a varied and complex ER caseload, advising on procedure, attending meetings, and preparing documentation
• Build strong relationships with Heads of Department and senior managers, engaging proactively on HR matters
• Support workforce planning, recruitment activity, and establishment management
• Advise and support managers through organisational change, restructures, redundancy consultations, and TUPE processes
• Work within a unionised environment, liaising with trade union representatives as required
• Contribute to the development and implementation of HR policies, procedures, and the wider HR strategy
• Participate in job evaluation processes and academic promotions/pay review activities
• Line manage and support HR Officers/Administrators where required
• Collaborate with Occupational Health and Health & Safety to support staff wellbeing
• Maintain accurate HR system records and contribute to HR reporting and continuous process improvement

• CIPD qualified or able to demonstrate equivalent senior HR experience
• Strong background in employee relations, including complex case management
• Experience working in a unionised environment
• Confident advising and influencing senior stakeholders on people matters
• Sound knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice
• Able to work independently, manage competing priorities, and exercise sound judgement
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with a sensitive and professional approach

• Experience within higher education, FE, or a similarly complex public sector environment
• Strong HR systems and IT capability

• Salary range: £42,968 - £48,930 (including London weighting), dependent on experience
• Hybrid working: typically 3 days on campus / 2 days from home
• 30 days annual leave plus additional Christmas closure days
• Full-time role (35-40 hours per week)