HR Manager [Secondment Cover] (Internal Applicants Only)

CamWebDir; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 48,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

41 days annual leave

Defined benefit pension

Hybrid and flexible working

Wellbeing programme

Personal & Professional Development

Staff discounts

Job summary

University of Cambridge's Department of Engineering seeks an experienced HR Manager on a fixed-term secondment until 31 August 2027. The role leads a local HR team and provides a high-quality generalist HR service across the department.

You will advise staff and managers, coach the HR team, and work with central HR to ensure consistent delivery while driving continuous improvement in processes and documentation. Hybrid and flexible working arrangements are available.

Qualifications

• Significant HR management experience.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law.
• Ability to coach and develop staff.
• Experience advising senior colleagues and partners.

Responsibilities

• Provide HR guidance to staff and managers across the department.
• Coach and develop the HR team and coordinate with HR Coordinators & Administrators.
• Liaise with central HR to ensure consistent delivery and policy adherence.
• Lead local HR operations, including recruitment, probation, sickness absence, rewards, promotions and staff reviews.
• Offer guidance on non-complex employee relations matters and drive continuous improvement in processes and documentation.

Skills

HR advisory experience

UK employment law knowledge

People management

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced HR Manager to join our HR team within the Department of Engineering on a temporary basis. The role will provide temporary support to cover a secondment until 31 August 2027.The team is evolving and this role will offer the opportunity to help shape the future of the team and ways of working to ensure a continued high quality service to our colleagues across the department.The Department of Engineering is the largest within the University of Cambridge (approx. 800 staff), and the role holder will play a central part in ensuring the delivery of a high quality, effective HR service within a complex and fast paced environment. We are seeking an experienced HR professional, who will provide advice and guidance to staff and managers, coach and develop their team, and liaise with central HR colleagues to ensure consistent delivery.As part of a collaborative HR team, this role will report into the Departmental Head of HR and work in partnership with another HR Manager to lead a local operational team of HR Coordinators & Administrators to provide a trusted and proactive HR service that delivers operational effectiveness and cultivates a culture of continuous improvement. The team is responsible for the administration across the full employee lifecycle and providing a full generalist HR service within the department, including but not limited to supporting recruitment, probation, managing sickness absence, processing cyclical projects such as reward and promotional schemes and staff reviews, as well as proving advice and guidance on non-complex employee relations matters.The HR Manager will have strong HR advisory experience, excellent UK employment law knowledge and the ability to effectively build strong working relationships. The role holder will be confident and comfortable advising senior colleagues, navigating ambiguity and offering constructive challenge and solutions in line with best practice and University policy and procedure, in order to provide a comprehensive HR support service for staff within the Department. As a HR Manager, you will be expected to support team members learning and development and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement to ensure our processes, documentation and ways of working are both effective and efficient.The department offers a welcoming and inclusive environment, and the opportunity to work alongside supportive and collaborative colleagues. For more information about the department, please visit https://www.eng.cam.ac.uk/Benefits:• 41 days' annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays and University closure days)• Generous defined benefit pension scheme• Enhanced family leave and pay policies• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements• Access to a comprehensive wellbeing programme, including EAP, Occupational Health & Staff Counselling• Professional networking and access to Personal & Professional Development team• Access to recognition and progression schemes• Staff discount schemesThis is a post to provide secondment cover and will be fixed-term until 31 August 2027 or the return of the post holder, whichever is sooner.Applications are welcome from internal candidates who would like to apply for the role on the basis of a secondment from their current role in the University.Interviews will be conducted on Thursday 5 November 2026.Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.If you have any questions about this vacancy or the application process, please contact the HR Office at the Department of Engineering ([e-mail], 01223 332615).Informal enquiries should be directed to Hannah Archer (Departmental Head of HR) via email: [e-mail] quote reference NM51365 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.