Deputy Director of Human Resources

Birmingham Newman University; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 53,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

Birmingham Newman University invites applications for the role of Deputy Director of Human Resources. You will lead a professional HR team, drive strategic workforce planning, and ensure delivery of operational HR priorities in alignment with the university's aims.

As a CIPD Chartered Member with strong employment law knowledge, you will shape equal opportunity initiatives, engage with unions, and foster a high‑performing, collaborative HR function across the institution.

Qualifications

• CIPD Chartered Member with up-to-date knowledge of employment law.
• Experience of change management in a university/unionised environment.
• Commitment to equality, diversity & inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Lead HR and OD projects across the university.
• Deliver operational HR priorities in partnership with the Director of HR.
• Embed positive, high-performing HR services aligned to strategy.
• Collaborate with unions and stakeholders.

Education

CIPD Chartered Member

Job description

Deputy Director of Human Resources

Location: Birmingham Newman University, Birmingham, West Midlands, B32 3NT.

Salary: £52,789 - £59,391 per annum

Vacancy Type: Permanent, full-time

Our people are at the heart of what we do and in the role of Deputy Director of Human Resources, you will be working in a professional team committed to the development and engagement of our staff and University. This is an exciting time for the HR team which is evolving to meet the challenges of a changing Higher Education sector.

As our Deputy Director of Human Resources, you will be an effective leader, motivate and inspire, drive-up practice standards and focus on continual improvement aligning HR service priorities with the strategic aims of the University. You will have responsibility for the overall delivery of operational HR priorities working in partnership with the Director of HR and the wider HR Team to develop and embed a positive, collaborative, and high performing department. You will be innovative and collaborative with a strategic mind‑set and can‑do attitude that clearly articulates the strategic vision for the University into practice enabling the delivery of the people elements of the strategy.

You will be an experienced senior HR professional, acknowledged for successfully leading HR and OD projects, facilitating change positively and empathetically that will enable the University to remain a force for good and fit for the future. You will be CIPD qualified (Chartered Member), with recent, demonstrable knowledge and experience of employment legislation and practice, a sound understanding of equality and diversity matters, and experience of working effectively in a unionised environment.

Appointment on the salary scale will be subject to skills and experience.

Closing date for applications: 15 November 2026

Interviews will take place on 11 December 2026

Birmingham Newman University offers a wide range of staff benefits including:

• 35 days annual leave entitlement plus bank holidays (pro rata for part time posts)
• pension scheme
• chaplaincy and spiritual care
• library services
• employee assistance programme
• occupational health and counselling services
• staff development opportunities

Birmingham Newman University is an Equal Opportunity Employer