Human Resources Business Partner (HR Business Partner)
Salary Scale: £47,389.29 – £56,535.44 per annum
Contract Type: Permanent
Full-time / Part-time: Full-Time
Weekly Hours: 36.5
Employment Visa: Sponsorable
Posted Date: 17/11/2025 – Closing Date: 07/12/2025
Ref No: 5923
The Role
To promote a flexible workforce, the University will consider applications from individuals seeking full‑time, part‑time, job share, or term‑time only working arrangements. This includes secondment opportunities.
The HR Business Partner is responsible for working in partnership with their allocated business areas to provide a professional HR and organisational development service that is customer‑focused and drives performance improvement. The post‑holder will be assigned to provide a service to designated University departments or work areas.
The role’s primary function is to develop strategies and implement business and workforce initiatives which support department plans and objectives. It also includes operational support to managers on complex employee relations issues and liaison with HR colleagues to ensure high standards are met. The HR Business Partner will contribute to cross‑University HR projects as directed by their line manager.
Main Duties & Responsibilities
* Strategic HR Leadership
o Develop and implement a people plan aligned with the university’s strategy and values.
o Partner with senior leaders in Professional Services (e.g., Finance, Estates, IT, Marketing) to support workforce planning, organisational design, and change initiatives.
o Use data and insights to inform decision‑making and measure the impact of HR interventions.
* Talent Management & Development
o Lead succession planning and talent pipeline development, ensuring diversity and inclusion by working with the EDI Business Partner.
o Support partners in recruitment, including inclusive attraction and selection strategies.
o Collaborate on training and development plans with Organisational Development teams to retain talent and build capability.
* Employee Relations & Engagement
o Advise and coach managers on employee relations issues, both informal and formal.
o Promote a positive and inclusive workplace culture, supporting wellbeing and engagement initiatives.
o Ensure consistent application of HR policies and procedures across departments.
* Performance & Reward
o Support Department Heads and Line Managers to develop performance, ensuring performance is recognised and underperformance is addressed.
o Develop and embed an agile performance development process and supportive tools.
o Contribute to job evaluation and reward processes.
* Change Management & Organisational Development
o Support and lead on organisational change projects, including restructures and service improvements.
o Act as a liaison between departments and central HR functions (e.g., EDI, Learning & Development, Payroll).
* Collaboration & Communication
o Work closely with embedded HR teams and other HRBPs across faculties and services.
o Act as a bridge between Professional Services and HR, ensuring alignment and consistency.
o Support Head of HR & OD in writing reports for executive and council briefings.
Additional Responsibilities
* Undertake other duties as assigned by your line manager, commensurate with the role’s grade.
* Engage in university‑level projects and initiatives as directed, and undertake any additional duties assigned by the line manager.
* Demonstrate flexibility by supporting colleagues during periods of high demand, including attendance at key university events such as open days and graduation ceremonies which may include weekend work.
* Promote equality of opportunity and support the University’s commitment to diversity and inclusion in all aspects of your work.
* Support the university strategy and underlying plans by engaging in continuous personal and professional development, including relevant training and development activities.
* Fulfil health and safety responsibilities, while actively promoting the personal health, safety and wellbeing of staff and students as a member of the Aberystwyth community. Additionally, support the University’s commitment to environmental sustainability through responsible practices and engagement.
Essential
* Chartered CIPD membership or equivalent experience or qualification.
* Relevant experience of operating at Business Partner level.
* Experience of trade union negotiations and dealings.
* Significant experience in dealing with employee relations issues, including complex casework and tribunal management and participation.
* Up‑to‑date knowledge of employment law precedents and case law to provide appropriate advice.
* Ability to translate business acumen skills into strong workforce initiatives that deliver impact and align to strategic priorities.
* Demonstrable ability to manage organisational change, workforce planning, restructuring and cultural change.
* Demonstrable ability to operate as part of a team and serve as a key stakeholder.
* Confident communicator with well‑developed verbal and written skills, including persuasion, persistence, encouragement, negotiation, influencing skills, report writing, and presentation.
* Well‑developed IT skills using Microsoft Office, bespoke HR packages, and the HR database.
* Ability to work with conflicting priorities and tight deadlines, while maintaining attention to detail.
* Initiative, problem‑solving, analytical skills and decision‑making abilities.
* Line management ability to coach professional colleagues, delegate effectively and ensure quality standards.
* Oral (spoken) and written Welsh Level C1.
Desirable
* Fellowship of the CIPD.
* Experience delivering the operational outputs of employee relations work – capability, disciplinary or redundancy.
* Accredited mediation skills.
* Advanced IT skills, specifically Excel and Word.
* Oral (spoken) and written Welsh Level C2.
* More information on Welsh Language Levels: Welsh Language Standards.
How to Apply
To promote a flexible workforce, the University will consider applications from individuals seeking full‑time, part‑time, job share, or term‑time only working arrangements. Applications for this role must be made through jobs.aber.ac.uk. You are welcome to apply for any vacancy in Welsh or English and any application submitted will be treated equally.
Benefits
* Flexible working policy
* 36.5‑hour week for full‑time roles
* Generous leave entitlements – 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays and university closed days
* Commitment to Professional Development
* Enhanced contribution to our workplace pension schemes
* Staff recognition and reward schemes
* Opportunity to learn the Welsh language for free
* Staff relocation bursary
* Maternity, Paternity, Parental and Adoption Leave
* Staff discount for gym facilities, hospitality, and retail on campus
* Hybrid Working
Additional Information
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and communities, including those who are currently under‑represented in our workforce. This includes but is not limited to Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates, candidates with disabilities, and female candidates.
We are a Bilingual Institution which complies with the Welsh Language Standards and is committed to Equal Opportunities. You are welcome to apply for any vacancy in Welsh or English and any application submitted will be treated equally.
Employment Visa
We welcome international applicants who are eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker Route. Under the points‑based system, this role meets the criteria to be sponsored by AU for an SWR application. Note: AU will only support the Certificate of Sponsorship for any employment visas and will not support the payment of the employment visa for the offered candidate and/or dependants.
Any prospective candidates coming to work for AU under the SWR will require a minimum of 70 points, made up of the following:
* Mandatory / Non‑tradeable Criteria (50 points)
• A job offer from a UK licensed sponsor – 20 points
• Job is above the minimum sponsorable skill level – 20 points
• Appointed candidate to have appropriate knowledge of the English language* – 10 points
* Tradeable Criteria (dependent on candidate appointed)
o Salary meets minimum threshold – 20 points
o The candidate holds a PhD in a subject relevant to the job – 10 points
o The candidate holds a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job – 20 points
o The advertised role is on the UK Shortage Occupation List (SOL) – 20 points
Appropriate knowledge is classed as the following:
• A national of a majority English speaking country
• Having an academic degree taught in English (if an overseas degree, must be verified by NARIC)
• Completing and passing an English language test at Level B1 or above.
For more information, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa
Contacts
Human Resources, Aberystwyth University
Visulisation Centre, Penglais Campus
Ceredigion, SY23 3BF
Tel: (01970) 628555
Email: hr@aber.ac.uk
Seniority Level
* Mid‑Senior level
Employment Type
* Full‑time
Job Function
* Human Resources
Industries
* Higher Education
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