Putting the Human into Resources.
Doing things differently.
Associate HR Business Partner
Grade H (£39, - £44, p.a. pro rata)
Full Time/ Permanent
Are you an experienced HR professional who thrives in a dynamic, people-focused environment? At Nottingham Trent University (NTU), we’re seeking an Associate HR Business Partner to play a pivotal role in supporting our academic and professional services teams. This is your chance to make a real impact—helping to shape organisational culture, drive change, and enable colleagues to achieve their full potential.
The Role
As part of our HR Business Partnering team, you’ll provide proactive, customer-focused HR support across a diverse portfolio of departments. You’ll work closely with leaders, managers, and staff to deliver effective HR solutions that align with NTU’s strategic objectives.
From employee relations to organisational development, you’ll be involved in the full range of HR activities, including:
1. Supporting managers with resourcing, reward, and performance management.
2. Building strong, influential relationships as a trusted partner on people and business issues.
3. Championing and facilitating change management to support NTU’s long-term goals.
4. Partnering with specialist HR colleagues in policy, reward, health & safety, EDI, and organisational development.
5. Leading on projects and initiatives that enhance employee engagement and organisational effectiveness.
What You’ll Be Doing
6. Acting as a mentor and coach to managers, supporting them with job design, recruitment, performance, and complex employee relations matters.
7. Guiding and advising on formal processes, including discipline, grievance, redundancy, and settlement agreements.
8. Providing workforce insights and analysis to inform strategic planning.
9. Managing and motivating colleagues to ensure high-quality service delivery across the HR Business Partnering team.
10. Keeping up-to-date with HR best practice, sector trends, and legislative changes.
11. Deputising for the HR Business Partner when required.
About You
We’re looking for a confident and adaptable HR professional with:
12. Strong experience across the full HR lifecycle, ideally within a large or complex organisation.
13. Excellent relationship-building and influencing skills.
14. A proactive and solutions-focused approach, with the ability to balance competing priorities.
15. Up-to-date knowledge of employment law and HR best practice.
16. Experience of handling complex employee relations cases.
CIPD qualification (or working towards it) is highly desirable.
Ready to join us?
Apply today and help shape the future of NTU.
About Us
Nottingham Trent University is a successful and ambitious university that is recognised for its innovation and inclusivity and being bold enough to do things differently. This is an exciting time to join the HR team focused on ‘Empowering People’ a key theme in delivering the strategic plan ‘University, reimagined’.
Our HR team is responsible for our NTU colleagues employment needs. We cover a wide range of HR and Organisational Development services, including Health, Safety and Wellbeing, Resourcing and Reward and Recognition.
Distinctive and disruptive, we empower people to do the right thing. We are bold in exploring unfamiliar paths and pursuing novel solutions. If you have a passion for making a real difference, joining us in HR at NTU could be the perfect role for you.
For any informal queries about the role or the HR team, please contact Claire Smalley, Human Resources Business Partner at
Join Us
17. Hybrid working - we encourage and offer a mixture of office working and working from home. You're empowered to define how you work best for the benefits of your stakeholders.
18. Flexibility - take ownership over how you get your work done. We're open to different working patterns and approaches.
19. 25 - 30 days annual leave, plus statutory bank holidays and 5 university closure days pro rata.
20. Salary Sacrifice Retirement Savings Plan with life assurance and income protection. Available to colleagues who choose to opt out of the contractual pension scheme. Minimum colleague contributions of 0% matched with minimum NTU contributions of 8%.
21. Range of health and wellbeing services, including a Health Cash Plan, voluntary benefits, discounts, and savings for all colleagues.
22. Access to a wealth of formal and informal professional development opportunities to develop your skills and advance your career.
23. And a whole lot more…Find out more about the
Come and be part of our success. Apply today.
Safe and Inclusive
At NTU, we continue to build an inclusive culture that encourages, supports and celebrates the diverse voices and experiences of our students and colleagues. By championing positive wellbeing, we promote an environment where all can thrive and reach their full potential. We welcome the unique contributions that you can bring and we encourage people from underrepresented communities and backgrounds to apply to join our team.
Please note that unfortunately, this role has been assessed as ineligible for sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration points-based immigration system however, we recommend that you assess your eligibility before applying for this position. For more information visit the Government Skilled Worker visa support page. However, applications are welcome from candidates who do not currently have the right to work in the UK, but who would be eligible to obtain a valid visa via another route. Please consult the for further information.
Please note that this role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and successful applicants will be asked to declare any unspent criminal convictions.