Chief People Officer

Lancaster University; Lancaster; On-site; GBP 200,000 +; Full time

Job summary

A leading academic institution is seeking a Chief People Officer to shape its future. The successful candidate will lead strategic HR initiatives, drive sustainable change, and manage employee relations with sensitivity and credibility. The ideal applicant will have a strong background in transformation and organisational development, ensuring a culture of continuous improvement. This is a senior role based in Lancaster, UK, closing date for applications is noon on 17th November 2025.

Qualifications

• Accomplished HR leader with a track record of operating at a strategic level in complex organisations.
• Deep expertise in transformation, employee relations, organisational development and talent strategy.
• Professional robustness combined with imagination and creativity.

Responsibilities

• Lead across a broad range of people matters, including navigating demanding and sensitive employee relations.
• Balance fairness with firmness in complex negotiations and drive sustainable change.
• Consolidate change, embed new approaches, and ensure sustainable outcomes.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and support colleagues.
• Challenge established practices and shape new ways of working.

Job description

Overview

Lancaster University is a globally engaged institution set within a 578-acre parkland campus, home to a dynamic community of 24,000 students. We are proud to be a TEF Gold institution, consistently ranked in the UK’s top 10 by the Complete University Guide 2025, with nearly half of our REF 21 submission rated 4*. Alongside a growing international presence, including our new campus in Indonesia, Lancaster continues to expand its global reach and deliver world-class research and teaching.

We are now seeking an exceptional Chief People Officer to take on a pivotal role in shaping Lancaster’s future. This is a demanding and rewarding position, requiring a leader who can guide the University through a period of profound change with sensitivity, while ensuring that new models and ways of working are embedded, refined and delivering positive impact for the longer term.

Responsibilities

• Lead across a broad range of people matters, including navigating demanding and sensitive employee relations with credibility and strength.
• Balance fairness with firmness in complex negotiations and drive sustainable change across the organisation.
• Consolidate change, embed new approaches, and ensure they deliver sustainable outcomes.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and support colleagues to adapt with confidence.
• Operate at a strategic level in transformation, employee relations, organisational development and talent strategy.
• Challenge established practices with determination and creativity and shape new ways of working that endure.

Requirements / Qualifications

• Accomplished HR leader with a track record of operating at a strategic level in complex organisations.
• Deep expertise in transformation, employee relations, organisational development and talent strategy.
• Professional robustness combined with imagination and creativity, with the courage to make difficult decisions during periods of change.

Details

Location: Bailrigg, Lancaster, UK

Interview date: To be confirmed

Closing date: noon on 17th November 2025

Interviews: mid January 2026

Notes

For more information, please consider contacting the recruitment partner managing this role. The University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applicants from all parts of the community.

Salary: Senior