HR Business Partner
People and Organisational Development (OD)
Location: South Wales
Sector: Higher Education
Salary: £48,000
Contract: FTC Full-time (37 hours per week), Fixed-term until end of July 2026
Reports to: Director of People and Organisational Development
Direct Reports: Senior HR Adviser
About the Role
We are seeking a proactive and strategic People and OD Business Partner to join our client who is a large education provider in South Wales where you will play a pivotal role in supporting the University's Transformation Programme. This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the future of the institution by leading on complex organisational change in a large, dynamic environment.
Working closely with senior leaders, finance colleagues, and a central project team, you will guide and influence the people aspects of major structural and service redesigns. Your role will be instrumental in ensuring change is delivered in a way that is fair, legally sound, and supports both the strategic goals and the wellbeing of its staff.
The People & OD Business Partner will be responsible for:
Act as the People and OD lead on the University's Transformation Programme, contributing to strategic planning and implementation of large-scale organisational change.
Partner with senior leaders to redesign services and operating models in response to financial challenges and to support future sustainability.
Ensure that the people impact of transformation is fully considered and managed effectively throughout all stages of change.
Lead on employee relations during the change process, including coordination of collective consultation plans, timelines, and regular meetings with Trade Union representatives .
Provide expert advice and guidance on HR matters related to restructuring, redundancy, and organisational design.
Manage and deliver HR processes linked to transformation activities, including project planning, communications, and documentation.
Represent HR on steering groups, boards, and project teams, contributing to automation initiatives and questioning decisions to ensure people-focused outcomes.
Work closely with Finance and the central Transformation Project Team, ensuring alignment across work streams.
The successful People & OD BP will bring to the team:
Essential:
CIPD membership at Chartered Member or above
Significant experience in leading organisational change and transformation within large, complex organisations (preferably higher education or public sector).
Proven track record in managing restructures and redundancies end-to-end, including legal compliance and stakeholder management.
Strong understanding of UK employment law, HR best practice, and employee relations, especially in unionised environments.
Demonstrated ability to work with senior stakeholders, influence decisions, and shape people strategies.
Experience coordinating collective consultations and engaging directly with Trade Unions .
Ability to write clear, practical guidance and communication materials for a variety of audiences.
Strong project management skills, including experience managing multiple work streams to tight deadlines.
Committed to staff wellbeing, equality, diversity, and inclusion principles.
Experience of working in an autonomous HR role in a complex unionized environment
How you'll be rewarded
Salary of £48,000
Flexible and hybrid working
35 days annual leave
Access to generous pension scheme
Access to sports centre, catering outlets, learning resource centre and staff discounts
For further information about this opportunity, please contact Branwen Johns on 07458163873 and email a copy of your CV
Interviews are to be held the week commencing the 23rd of June 2025.
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