Business Manager (People Function)
We are seeking a highly skilled and strategic Business Manager to provide critical support to the Chief People Officer in driving the organisation's human resources planning and operational delivery. This role will serve as a key support to the Chief People Officer (CPO), ensuring alignment with business objectives and facilitating the execution of HR initiatives across the department.
Main Responsibilities
Coordination: Serve as a key support to the Chief People Officer (CPO), providing professional business management advice in defining, prioritising, and operationalising the HR annual planning process and track Directorate progress through clear milestones. Collaborate closely with senior HR leadership to ensure alignment with business objectives and drive strategic HR initiatives.
Coordinate HR team away days, planning and development sessions. Support the CPO in the cyclical review of the HR function. Oversee recognition and reward initiatives for the HR Directorate to help motivate the team. Coordinate Directorate wide responses and feed into university wide responses
Proactively liaise with internal contacts (e.g. HR staff, and colleagues in the wider University community) and contacts in external bodies/agencies to build relationships, disseminate information and coordinate Directorate activities in a timely and effective manner.
Operational Excellence: Oversee the operational rhythm of the HR function, including managing the HR calendar, and strategic planning processes. Provide business management support to HR senior leadership in the delivery of efficiencies and process improvements within HR operations. Manage workflow, review and anticipate emerging business needs – including high risk or urgent issues, analyse incoming requests and implement/ recommend solutions. Prioritise the CPO’s demanding workload and work closely with the Executive Assistant to the CPO.
Performance Metrics: Monitor and report on complex HR performance metrics, ensuring the HR function is delivering value to the business. Use data-driven insights to identify trends, challenges, and opportunities and report to senior HR leadership. Support the CPO to coordinate annual appraisal cycle for senior HR team.
Communication and Alignment: Facilitate communication and alignment across the HR leadership team. Prepare briefing materials, agendas, minutes, presentations, and reports for key meetings. Manage and prepare regular HR communications as directed by the CPO. Ensure appropriate governance and maintain accurate records.
Proven Business Management experience in a fast-paced HR or operational role with a focus on strategic planning, project management, and coordination.
Key Skills & Experience
* Experience of using high volume data, preparing high quality reports, briefing documents and presentations.
* Previous project support experience including programme tracking, project committee support or project board support and servicing
* Highly organised with exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
* Ability to navigate complex organisational dynamics and drive results through influence and collaboration.
* Experience of working in the Higher Education (HE) sector and a broad understanding of HE sectors working practices would also be beneficial.
Employment type: Permanent
Location: London (hybrid 3 days in office/2 days from home)
Salary: Circa £44k
to apply, please contact stephen.hoban@veredus.co.uk