We welcome applications from candidates with disabilities, neurodiversity and long-term health conditions, and we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process.
We will make adjustments to support the recruitment and interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, adjustments will be made to support people within their role.
If you are unable to complete your application via our recruitment system or would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments to support you in the application process, please get in touch with us on e.recruitment@durham.ac.uk
Job Description - Director of People (25000972)
Job Description
Director of People (
Job Number:
25000972 )
HR & OD
Grade 10 : - Competitive
Open-Ended/Permanent - Full Time
Closing Date
Closing Date
: 10-Aug-2025, 3:59:00 PM
Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement : Not Applicable.
Post Title: Director of People
Grade: 10 – Band 2
Location: HR and Organisational Development
Responsible to: Chief People Officer
Responsible for: HR Business Partner Team, Employee Relations, Recruitment and Selection, Relocation and Immigration, Occupational Health, HR Lead on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
The University
At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other.
We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.
Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally.
We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here .
Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Information Page .
The Role and Department
We are recruiting a Director of People to join us at Durham University. Working closely with the Chief People Officer, and the HR senior leadership team, to contribute to the implementation of the People Strategy. Translating the aims and objectives of the People Strategy into clearly defined polices and plans.
The post holder will be the nominated deputy for the Chief People Officer. In addition they will have primary responsibility for Employee Relations (via the Business Partner Team), Occupational Health, Recruitment and Selection and Relocation and Immigration. They will also act as HR Lead for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, ensuring any HR related actions are highlighted to HR SLT and delivered in support of the University EDI plan.
The post holder will provide effective leadership and give direction and management to the teams in their area of responsibility, and will lead on the effective provision of HR and employee relations across all areas of the University.
The post-holder will:
Leadership
• Provide effective leadership to all teams that the postholder has responsibility for.
• Deputise for the Chief People Officer when required.
• Uphold the stated core lived values of Durham University, including promoting EDI requirements and initiatives.
• Ensure the delivery of the aims and objectives of the People Strategy in their areas of responsibility.
• Be accountable for leading the Business Partner Team to ensure a risk based, effective and successful management of ER cases and change/restructuring projects across academic and professional staff, working closely with campus trade unions to promote positive trade union relations.
• Be accountable for leading the Recruitment and Selection team to ensure a world class, cost effective recruitment service that reflects best practice, within the sector and beyond.
• Be accountable for leading the relocation and immigration functions, to ensure best practice and compliance with legislative requirements.
• Be accountable for the University’s Occupational Health Service, to ensure an effective and compliant occupational health service.
• Advising on complex employee relations issues and overseeing preparations for Employment Tribunals.
• Act as HR Lead on the equality and diversity working group, ensuring HR actions are highlighted and delivered.
• Be accountable for the development, implementation and timely updating of all HR policies and processes within the remit of the role.
• Be accountable for the development and implementation of plans and continuous improvement that reflect best practice in the above areas.
• Leading or contributing to HR project groups, cross functional project groups and University wide Working Groups.
Analysis and Reporting
• Monitor performance within area of responsibility and drive through improvements linked to best practice.
• Maintain a continuous review of quality and external benchmarks to deliver the best possible service.
• Use data to understand and report on trends and issues and thereafter to implement any relevant solutions.
Interpersonal
• Be focused on delivering the People Strategy by identifying and developing positive working relationships, partnerships and/or business relationships.
• Chair, service, manage and attend various committees and meetings, as required.
Planning and Organising
• Deliver projects in a pre-planned, well-managed way.
• Ensure compliance with statutory obligations in their area of responsibility (e.g. employment law and UKVI).
• Write and contribute to HR reports, including reports to all University committees.
• Horizon scanning for new developments and changes in HR practice, employment law, UKVI requirements and ensuring these are highlighted and appropriate changes implemented.
Finance and Resource Management
• Review, assess and consider efficiency opportunities in areas of responsibility, recommending and/or implementing changes, as appropriate.
• Manage relevant budgets, ensuring expenditure is within defined limits, provides value for money and return on investment.
• Ensure external providers are procured and managed in a cost effective way and compliant with the agreed University procedures.
• Contribute to the production of accurate and meaningful management information to inform strategic decision making.
• Ensure relevant evidence and data is used as part of strategic decision making.
• Contribute to the HR planning process.
• Ensure that staffing levels are maintained to provide effective, efficient and economic services.
Liaison and Networking
• Develop effective internal working relationships and act as advocate for HR best practice.
• Work with and influence staff at all levels across the University.
• Proactively engage in professional and HE related networks to support benchmarking, horizon scanning and updating on developments in and out with the sector.
• Participate in external regional and national networking opportunities virtually and in person.
• Engage in at least one ongoing citizenship role or responsibility outside of HR.
People Management
• Lead and manage staff, ensuring appropriate develop opportunities and monitoring of performance and productivity.
• Monitor workloads and staffing levels to ensure the provision of a high quality service and the wellbeing of staff.
Continuous Improvement
• Lead continuous improvement of services and monitor external benchmarks to promote the best possible service.
• Undertake regular audits of immigration policies and procedures, ensuring our practices are in line with statutory requirements.
Communication
• Undertake day-to-day interaction with people of any level, including internal and external stakeholders, representing the interests of the function / University.
• Design and/or deliver training and development programmes for areas of responsibility, e.g. employment law updates, Head of Department Induction, University Induction.
• Ensure effective communication of new HR initiatives, policies and initiatives.
• Engagement in University events such VC Fora.
Business Awareness
• Up to date knowledge of developments in Higher Education.
• Develop (or continue to develop) a deep understanding of issues specific to Higher Education eg the engagement and organisation of academic staff.
• Up to date knowledge of HR best practice in large complex organisations.
• Work with colleagues across the University to ensure that policies, systems, procedures and guidelines are in place to enable compliance with legislative, regulatory and best practice requirements.
• Undertake personal CPD, and proactively facilitate team CPD, to ensure skills and knowledge required are kept up to date.
Service and Policy Development
• Develop and use appropriate key performance indicators for the teams in areas of responsibility, including financial efficiencies, operational effectiveness.
Any other reasonable duties commensurate with the role.
Working at Durham
A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:
• 30 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year.
• The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
• We offer a generous pension scheme, As a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have ample parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
• There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
• Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• On site nursery is available plus access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
• Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
• The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community
• Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.
• A salary sacrifice scheme is also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.
• If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities suchas house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.
Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here .
Durham University is committed to equality diversity, inclusion and values
Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It’s important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.
We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.
What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification
When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description.
Your application should cover the following criteria:
Essential Criteria
Qualifications
• Educated to Degree level.
• CIPD qualified or equivalent professional qualification.
Leadership Experience
• Considerable experience of leadership of diverse teams of professional staff.
• Experience of leading a key team within a department.
• Experience of advising on HR/employment law matters at a senior level.
• Demonstrable experience of leading staff within a complex organisation.
Management Skills
• Proven ability to lead and motivate teams to perform at consistently high levels.
• Track record of delivering personally, and through others, to tight deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills, verbal and written.
• Experience of managing committees and meetings.
• Evidence of strong line management skills.
• Demonstrable experience of managing budgets.
• Capable of analysing and designing solutions to complex problems.
• Ability to analyse data to support decisions and solutions.
Professional Skills
• Significant experience of advising on complex employee relations issues.
• Experience of managing complex projects to successful conclusion.
• Commitment to professional CPD and training.
• A commitment to excellent customer service delivery.
IT Skills
• High standard of IT literacy.
Personal Skills
• A professional approach to work coupled with integrity, tenacity and diplomacy.
• Ability to work with credibility with stakeholders at all levels.
• Ability to quickly forge productive working relationships with a range of diverse stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written), including drafting persuasive committee papers.
• An ability to manage a high workload and competing priorities.
• An ability to identify and introduce innovative and creative approaches to work.
• A commitment to further personal development.
• A commitment to the improvement of others.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to drive organisational change and motivate and commitment to team engagement.
• A proven team player.
Leadership Experience
• Experience of engaging with trade unions in a multi unionised environment.
Management Experience
• Experience of working in the Higher Education Sector or a similar complex organisation.
• Experience of change management at scale.
How to apply
To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria. Please don’t forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above).
While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.
Submitting your application
We prefer to receive applications online.We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from oure-recruitmentsystem. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.
What you need to submit
• A CV: and
• A supporting statement which outlines how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification.
Contact details
For a chat about the role or any further information please contact Cherith Smith, Senior Recruitment Manager, mailto:cherith.j.smith@durham.ac.uk
When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.
We welcome applications from candidates with disabilities, neurodiversity and long-term health conditions, and we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process.
We will make adjustments to support the recruitment and interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, adjustments will be made to support people within their role.
If you are unable to complete your application via our recruitment system or would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments to support you in the application process, please get in touch with us on e.recruitment@durham.ac.uk
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