HR Business Partner - Fixed Term Contract (2 years)

Saïd Business School, University of Oxford; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious business school in Oxford seeks a Strategic HR Business Partner to develop a Strategic Workforce Plan and provide HR guidance. Ideal candidates are credible HR professionals with strong experience in complex organizations and a solid understanding of employment law. The role involves collaborating with senior leaders to enhance organizational capability. The position offers significant benefits, including a generous holiday allowance and hybrid working opportunities.

Benefits

Generous holiday allowance of 38 days

Hybrid working

Membership of the Oxford University staff pension scheme

Discounted bus travel

Subsidised onsite catering

Cycle loan scheme

Qualifications

• Significant experience supporting managers in complex organisations.
• Thorough understanding of employment law.
• Ability to coach, influence, and challenge senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Act as the lead HR contact for a defined client group.
• Implement a robust Strategic Workforce Plan.
• Provide expert HR guidance on organisational change.

Skills

HR professional experience

Influencing skills

Employment law knowledge

Solutions-focused mindset

Education

CIPD Level 7 qualification or equivalent experience

Job description

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. Alongside our core academic activity, we deliver bespoke executive education programmes through our trading subsidiary, OSBS Ltd, equipping leaders from around the world with the skills to create meaningful impact.

Our Human Resources Team is central to this mission. We support both the School and OSBS Ltd, working collaboratively to sustain the high standards of excellence that define Oxford. We are now seeking a dynamic, commercially minded and strategic HR Business Partner to play a pivotal role in shaping our workforce of the future.

About the Role

Reporting to the Head of HR and Employee Experience, you will partner closely with senior leaders and managers across the School, providing strategic HR insight that enables them to meet departmental and School-wide priorities. A central part of your role will be developing and owning a comprehensive Strategic Workforce Plan, one that spans the full employee lifecycle, strengthens organisational capability, and ensures we are equipped for future challenges.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the lead HR contact for a defined client group, delivering strategic advice aligned to business needs.
• Implement a robust Strategic Workforce Plan for your business areas in collaboration with senior leadership.
• Provide expert HR guidance across a wide range of issues, including organisational change, disciplinary and grievance matters, and TUPE.
• Lead on complex employee relations cases, including employment tribunals, working seamlessly with divisional and central HR colleagues.
• Build strong, influential relationships with stakeholders at all levels, driving innovative and people-centred HR solutions.

About You

You are a confident and credible HR professional with significant experience supporting managers in complex organisations. You have a thorough understanding of employment law, coupled with sound judgement and the ability to coach, influence and challenge senior stakeholders, alongside a proactive, solutions-focused mindset. You should hold or be willing to work towards 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
• Hybrid working
• Membership of the Oxford University staff pension scheme
• Discounted bus travel
• Subsidised onsite catering
• Cycle loan scheme
• Plus, many other University benefits

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

For further guidance and support, please visit https : / / www.jobs.ox.ac.uk / how-to-apply .

The closing date for applications is Monday 5 January 2026 at 12.00 noon.

First-stage interviews will take place online the week commencing Monday 12 January 2026.

Second stage interviews will take place in person the week commencing Monday 19 January 2026.

Are you interested in joining Saïd Business School’s talent pool and / or receiving our job alerts? Register at https : / / careers.sbs.ox.ac.uk / registration.aspx .