Job Description

Position Details

Human Resources


Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK


Full time starting salary is normally in the range 57,422 to 66,537 with potential progression once in post to 86,760


Grade: 9


Full Time, Permanent


Closing date: 4th June 2025

Our offer to you

People are at the heart of what we are and do.


The University of Birmingham is proud to have been a part of the City of Birmingham and the wider region for over 100 years, and we are equally proud to be recognised as a leading global university. We want to attract talented people from across the city and beyond, support them to succeed, and celebrate their success.


We are committed to helping the people who work here to develop through our sector-leading Birmingham Professional programme which provides all professional services staff with development opportunities and the encouragement to reach their full potential. With almost 5,000 professional services jobs in a wide-range of functions in Edgbaston and in our campus in Dubai, there are plenty of opportunities for you to be able to develop your career at the University.


We believe there is no such thing as a typical member of staff and that diversity is a source of strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation, and debate. We warmly welcome people from all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is at the heart of who and what we are, and how we work.


Supporting our people to achieve a healthy work/life balance is important both to our employees and to the success of the University and, depending on the role, we offer a variety of flexible working arrangements. We therefore welcome discussions on all forms of flexible working. In addition, you will receive a generous package of benefits including 40 days paid holiday a year, one paid day a year for volunteering, occupational sick pay, and a pension scheme. We also have three high quality subsidised day nurseries.


The University is situated in leafy Edgbaston and there are excellent transport links to our beautiful campus, including main bus routes and a train station on site. On campus we have a state-of-the-art sports centre with pool, shops, places to eat and drink, our own art gallery, museum and botanical gardens.


Find out more about the benefits of working for the University of Birmingham

Role Summary

The role of Head of Human Resources, Employment Relations and HR Policy reports to the Deputy Director of Human Resources and supports the University through:


the development and implementation of an Employment Relations Strategy and plan aligned to organisational business needs. the development and delivery of high-quality HR policies and related advice ensuring compliance with Employment Law and University Statute and Ordinance.

Main Duties

The post will involve a range of duties including:


Contributing to the HR function through supporting the development and implementation of an Employment Relations strategy and plan that is aligned to the University's organisational and business needs. Working closely with other HR teams to design, deliver and implement a suite of HR policies, procedures and guidelines ensuring they are in line with best practice, legal requirements and support University objectives. In conjunction with the Director and Deputy Director of HR, manage and oversee relationships with the Trade Unions consulting and negotiating as appropriate. This includes: + management of disputes and strike action ensuring business continuity and minimising impact and reputational damage
+ management of the Joint Union Committee and the Joint Negotiation and Consultative Committee
+ negotiation of any changes to terms and conditions of employment management of Local Pay negotiations
Working closely with the Head of Reward to ensure that any developments in the reward proposition for staff are appropriately consulted or negotiated with Trade Unions and translated into policy. Liaising across the HR function to improve and enhance Employer Branding and ensure this is reflected in HR Policies and documentation. Providing advice, guidance, training and expertise to ensure HR teams are fully conversant with legislative and policy changes. Ensure appropriate governance of policy changes and liaise with Legal Services to fully consider legal risks and maintain consistency of advice and guidance. As and when required, management of and involvement in University projects working with others from across HR and the University, while exercising a substantial degree of independent professional responsibility and discretion. Undertaking research, analysing data and producing reports to support effective decision making and producing papers, reports and briefings for the HRSLT. Management of a Policy Officer, providing support, direction and development as required.
This is a management level position and is particularly suitable for someone seeking to develop a successful career in a specialist area of HR. The post holder will be a graduate, possess strong intellectual skills and a real interest in, and understanding of HR in the Higher Education context as well as experience of managing Employment Relations, management of trade union relationships and an excellent knowledge of employment law.


They will have a 'can do' attitude, be flexible, resourceful and be able to take a concept through to successful implementation. Possessing excellent administrative and organisational abilities, they need to be able to use their own initiative to complete a broad range of tasks with minimal direction. The role-holder will often work with colleagues from other parts of the University to obtain information and achieve tasks and must therefore be a good team worker and demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills.

Person Specification

The role-holder will possess the following combined experience and personal qualities:

Qualifications

A degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent skills acquired in the workplace. CIPD or significant previous experience in HR which should include experience of Operational HR, Employment Relations and experience of interpreting employment legislation.

Skills and Experience

Demonstrable experience of managing employee propositions in a large and complex organisation. Highly developed research skills and experience of producing and analysing complex source material, information and data and turning these into reports, policies and guidelines. Excellent communication and presentation skills and the capability to work with and influence senior management and key stakeholders. Be able to exercise discretion regarding the handling and management of sensitive information. Good IT skills. An ability to work simultaneously and effectively to progress multiple high profile tasks under considerable pressure. Excellent organisational and administrative skills including the management of budgets, resources and funding, the assessment and mitigation of risk and the development of strategic and operational plans. A good team worker with the ability to work effectively with staff at different levels of the organisation.

Personal Characteristics

Strong intellectual ability and the ability to apply this to management tasks. A high degree of initiative, personal judgement, resourcefulness, flexibility and a self motivating approach. The ability to complete tasks based on only broad direction and with minimal supervision. Enthusiasm and willingness to meet challenging demands, working to different people, deadlines and within budget. Excellent interpersonal skills, including tact and diplomacy. The post holder must inspire confidence and command authority with a range of colleagues including academic colleagues, University managers, and external contacts. A strong interest in, and understanding of key policy issues in HE.

Capabilities

Strategic Thinking and Perspective

Able to shape strategic direction develop and implement operational plans for own area. Participate in, and make significant contributions to the delivery of University initiatives such as the Birmingham Academic. Able to exercise a substantial degree of independent professional responsibility and discretion. Demonstrate understanding of the factors in HE impacting on the University and apply this to own work. Able to evaluate service provision and recommend and implement innovative solutions to improve service quality, efficiency and continuity. Capable of effectively resolving all issues in own area, often requiring complex problem solving through others.

Organisational Understanding

Demonstrates understanding of how the University operates and a sensitivity to its political and organisational priorities, and applies this to own work.

Communication

Interacts at senior levels within the University to keep abreast of developments to ensure service provision is in line with broader agendas. Uses a range of communication skills and strategies to gain commitment to action or change. Expresses complex ideas coherently through a variety of media (especially in written form) and to a range of audiences. Displays awareness of own impact and tact and diplomacy. Networks with fellow professionals in the wider community to stay up-to-date professionally.

Working Collaboratively

Demonstrates collaborative working, builds open, trusting and effective partnerships. Promotes knowledge sharing, assistance to others and constructive challenge as appropriate.

Performance and Resource Management

Actively manages programmes of work and budgets to achieve quality standards and targets. Ensures priorities are balanced, taking appropriate action to keep things on track.

Informal enquiries to Zoe Oakes, email: z.e.k.oakes@bham.ac.uk


View our staff values and behaviours here

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy

.

You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone

on our website

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