HR Business Partner

University-of-Oxford; Oxford; On-site; GBP 49,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous holiday allowance

Oxford University staff pension scheme

Discounted bus travel

Subsidised onsite catering

Plus, many other University benefits

Job summary

Saïd Business School is seeking a confident and strategic HR Business Partner to support Faculty and academic colleagues across the academic lifecycle. Reporting to the Head of HR, you will provide strategic and operational HR insight aligned to academic priorities and line-manage key HR professionals.

You will lead on probation, promotion processes, and conflicts of interest, working with Divisional HR, colleges and central University teams to deliver pragmatic, people-centred HR solutions.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering HR support to academics and senior stakeholders in complex, collegiate organisations.
• Knowledge of probation, promotion, conflicts of interest and related University procedures.
• Ability to coach, influence and challenge senior stakeholders across Divisional HR, colleges and central University teams.

Responsibilities

• Act as the lead HR contact for Faculty and academic colleagues, delivering strategic and operational advice.
• Provide expert guidance on academic HR processes, including probation, promotion and related procedures.
• Line manage the Faculty Activity and Remuneration Manager and Faculty Recruitment Partner.
• Implement a robust Strategic Workforce Plan for Faculty with senior leadership and academic stakeholders.
• Provide HR guidance on organisational change, and complex employee relations cases.
• Build trusted relationships with Faculty, academic leaders and central University stakeholders.

Skills

Strategic HR

Academic relations

Stakeholder management

Coaching & mentoring

Education

CIPD Level 7

Job description

Grade 8: £49,119- £58,265 per annum including the Oxford University Weighting of £1,730 per annum

Saïd Business School is a globally recognised centre of excellence, blending the academic rigour of the University of Oxford with an entrepreneurial spirit that drives innovation in business education. Our Faculty and academic community are central to our mission, advancing research, teaching and engagement with meaningful global impact.

Our Human Resources Team supports this mission by enabling a positive, inclusive and high-performing employee experience. We are now seeking a confident and strategic HR Business Partner to provide dedicated support to our Faculty and academic colleagues across the academic lifecycle.

About the Role

Reporting to the Head of HR and Employee Experience, you will partner closely with Faculty, academics, senior leaders and managers across the School, providing strategic and operational HR insight aligned to academic and School priorities. This role is focused specifically on Faculty and academic colleagues, and requires strong knowledge of academic HR processes, including the Initial Period of Office, promotion (Recognition of Distinction and Conferment of Title), Leave (Sabbatical, Family, Unpaid), Outside Appointments as well as the ability to work effectively across Divisional HR, colleges and central University teams. You will also line manage the Faculty Activity and Remuneration Manager and Faculty Recruitment Partner, ensuring the effective delivery of faculty processes and recruitment practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the lead HR contact for Faculty and academic colleagues, delivering strategic and operational advice aligned to academic and School priorities.


• Provide expert guidance on academic HR processes, including probation, promotion, conflicts of interest and related University procedures.


• Line manage the Faculty Activity and Remuneration Manager and Faculty Recruitment Partner, ensuring consistent, high-quality delivery of faculty processes and recruitment practices.


• Implement a robust Strategic Workforce Plan for Faculty in collaboration with senior leadership and academic stakeholders.


• Provide HR guidance on organisational change, disciplinary and grievance matters, and complex employee relations cases.


• Build trusted relationships with Faculty, academic leaders, Divisional HR colleagues, colleges and central University stakeholders to deliver joined-up, people-centred HR solutions.

About You

You are a confident and credible HR professional with significant experience supporting academics and senior stakeholders in complex, collegiate organisations. Previous experience of providing HR support to academic staff is essential, alongside knowledge of academic processes including initial period of office, promotion and conflicts of interest. You will bring sound judgement, strong relationship-building skills and the ability to coach, influence and challenge senior stakeholders, working collaboratively across Divisional HR, colleges and central University teams to navigate complexity and deliver pragmatic, people-centred solutions. You should hold a CIPD Level 7 qualification or have equivalent experience.

Why Join Us?

At Saïd Business School, we champion diversity, equity and inclusion in everything we do. We believe that an environment where people feel valued, respected and empowered fuels innovation and excellence. We warmly welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences who can enrich our community and help us shape a more equitable future.

Be part of a School that is redefining leadership, transforming organisations, and inspiring global impact.

If you're ready to contribute your expertise to one of the world's most influential institutions, we'd love to hear from you.

• Saïd Business School offers very generous benefits, some of which are:


• Generous holiday allowance of 38 days including bank holidays


• Membership of the Oxford University staff pension scheme


• Discounted bus travel


• Subsidised onsite catering


• Plus, many other University benefits

All applications must include a CV, Supporting Statement/Cover Letter and Current Salary.

The closing date for applications is Wednesday 28 October 2026 at 12.00 noon. Please note, this vacancy may close earlier than advertised if we receive a high number of suitable applications.

First-stage interviews are expected to take place on 10 November 2026