HR and EDI Manager

University of Sussex Students' Union; Brighton; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Day off every fortnight

Extra 6 days leave annually

Staff socials funding

Learning & development opportunities

Employee health services

Job summary

University of Sussex Students' Union is seeking an experienced HR & EDI Manager to lead a comprehensive HR service and champion equity, diversity and inclusion across all staff and student-facing activities. The role reports to the Head of Support Services and requires embedding inclusive practices across recruitment, performance, and change management.

The post focuses on policy development, GDPR compliance, and delivering training while managing multiple HR projects.

Qualifications

• Experience leading HR/EDI initiatives and programmes.
• Strong knowledge of GDPR and UK immigration rules.
• Ability to influence stakeholders and drive change.
• Experience developing and implementing HR policies and processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the HR function and deliver a comprehensive HR service across the Students' Union.
• Develop, review and embed HR policies, ensuring legal compliance.
• Drive equity, diversity and inclusion across the employee lifecycle.

Skills

HR Experience

EDI

Stakeholder Engagement

Policy Development

Training Delivery

GDPR Compliance

UK Immigration

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Business

Tools

HRIS

MS Office

Job description

Are you an experienced HR professional passionate about creating inclusive, high-performing workplaces? Do you thrive on influencing change, shaping people strategies, and championing equity, diversity and inclusion?

We're looking for an HR & EDI Manager to lead our people function and help us build an environment where staff and students can thrive.

As HR & EDI Manager, you'll take a lead role in delivering a comprehensive, professional HR service across the Students' Union. You will oversee the development of HR policies and processes, ensure legal compliance, and embed inclusive practices across the entire employee lifecycle. You'll work closely with senior stakeholders, managers, and staff networks to drive forward our organisational strategy — placing equity, diversity and inclusion at its heart.

You will provide expert HR advice across areas including recruitment, employee relations, performance management and organisational change, and review, develop and implement HR policies aligned with legislation and organisational priorities. You will lead and support EDI initiatives, embedding inclusive practices across all people processes, and advise and influence senior leaders and managers. You will design, deliver and evaluate training to build capability across the organisation, manage multiple projects and priorities effectively, and ensure compliance with GDPR and UK immigration legislation, all while supporting a culture of high performance, accountability and wellbeing.

ABOUT US

We are looking for skilled, friendly and highly motivated people who share our values. With our vibrant environment and organisational culture, the Students' Union is a dynamic workplace only a few places could match.

Working on Sussex Campus and for the SU has lots of perks: our staff receive one day off each fortnight as part of our nine-day-fortnight working trial, and access to enhanced time off, which normally amounts to an extra 6 days leave in addition to 20 days of annual leave per year, plus bank holidays. We also allocate funding for staff socials, learning and development opportunities for all our roles, and create a supportive workplace through regular 1-to-1s, an employee assistance programme and professional health services.

KEY INFORMATION

Job Title: HR & EDI Manager

Responsible to: Head of Support Services

Rate of pay: Grade 6

Contract: Permanent

Hours of work: 36.5 hours per week (including some evenings and weekends)

Applicants: Open to internal and external applicants*

Start Date: As soon as possible

COMMITMENT TO INCLUSION

We welcome applications from everyone, and we want to strongly encourage applications from: people with an ethnic minority or Chinese background, people with a disability, people with dependents, and people who identify as LGBTQ+. We conduct anonymous shortlisting and all of our interview panels have Unconscious Bias Training in order to support the above. We also consider flexible working for those with care commitments.

To support this, we will ask you an optional question about your ethnic origin. Not providing this information will not adversely affect your application for the role. This information will be hidden during the application process. Staff that identify as Black, Asian or minority ethnic are also welcome and supported to join our BAME Staff Network.

STAFF AND APPLICANTS WITH LONG TERM CONDITIONS

The Students' Union aims to implement reasonable adjustments for all staff and applicants with disabilities, creating a culture of cooperation, shared responsibility and proactiveness to ensure equitable access to jobs. We want to make sure everyone is supported in our selection processes, and are equipped to work safely and get as much as possible out of their role as possible.