Do you want to use your expertise to shape the future of people policy at a leading University? In this influential role at the heart of our HR Service Delivery team, you will lead the People Policy Hub, inspiring and empowering a talented team of Policy Advisers. You will collaborate with legal experts, subject specialists, operational teams and trade unions to create policies that are not just compliant, but truly inclusive and forward‑thinking. You will take the lead in shaping every stage of policy development, from initial concept through to consultation, implementation, and ongoing review. Your influence will extend beyond HR, as you play a key role in other University policy development and in major University projects and governance. This is your opportunity to be part of a supportive and forward‑thinking HR leadership team, with opportunities to influence strategic change and make a real impact on how we support our people.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead the People Policy Hub and manage a team of Policy Advisers.
* Develop, review, and implement people policies and supporting guidance.
* Ensure that the terms and conditions within existing employment contracts are clearly articulated and understood.
* Lead the development of a new suite of flexible contract models that reflect the evolving needs of a modern university workforce.
* Ensure legal compliance, inclusivity, and alignment with university values.
* Chair the Joint Policy Working Group and lead consultations & negotiations with trade unions.
* Provide expert advice on policy interpretation and employment terms.
* Oversee equality impact assessments and governance approvals.
* Contribute to other University policy development, organisational‑wide projects and HR direction.
About You
* Extensive experience in HR policy development within a complex, unionised environment, ideally supported by Chartered Membership of the CIPD (or equivalent).
* In‑depth knowledge of UK employment law (including the implications of the Employment Rights Bill), Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and organisational change.
* Strong stakeholder engagement and negotiation skills.
* Proven ability to lead teams, manage projects, and influence across boundaries.
* A commitment to continuous improvement and inclusive policy design.
Why Join Us
* Generous pension and holiday allowance.
* Flexible working arrangements and family‑friendly policies.
* On‑campus sports and arts facilities.
* Employee discount schemes.
* A welcoming, inclusive community committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
* With a generous holiday allowance as well as additional university closure days we are committed to supporting our staff and students.
Check out the staff benefits and why you should join us at The University of Southampton! As a university we aim to create an environment where everyone can thrive and are proactive in fostering a culture of inclusion, respect and equality of opportunity. We believe that we can only truly meet our objectives if we are reflective of society, so we are passionate about creating a working environment in which you are free to bring your whole self to work.
We welcome applications from all candidates with an interest in the role, especially those from underrepresented groups.
For informal queries please contact Sarah Hollowbread, HR Director for Service Delivery, s.hollowbread@soton.ac.uk
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