Human Resources Business Partner

Oxford Brookes University; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in the UK seeks a Strategic People Partner to align people agendas with departmental plans and the university's strategic objectives. The role involves coaching senior managers, utilizing data for insights, and acting as an EDI champion while working within a collaborative team. With hybrid working, the candidate will need to spend 1-2 days on campus. The position offers benefits like a pension scheme and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Minimum of 25 days holiday plus 8 Bank Holidays

19.2% employer contribution to pension

Financial education resources

Comprehensive employee assistance helpline

Discounted university sports and gym facilities

On-site nursery

Training and development opportunities

Vibrant staff community networks

Qualifications

• Proven success in a strategic HR Business Partner role.
• Strong coaching, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.
• Comprehensive understanding of employment legislation and sector trends.
• Experience in change management and performance improvement.
• Ability to turn complex data into actionable insights.

Responsibilities

• Develop local people agendas aligning with departmental and strategic objectives.
• Support the improvement of people’s performance across the organization.
• Utilize data to identify trends and drive solutions for improvement.
• Provide coaching and advice to senior managers.
• Act as a champion for equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI).
• Lead organisational change initiatives within the People Directorate.

Skills

Coaching and influencing

Stakeholder management

HR best practices

Organisational development

Change management

Performance management

Data analysis

Strong organisational skills

Job description

The role

As a Strategic People Partner (SPP), you will act as a trusted adviser to senior managers within our Faculties and Directorates. Your primary purpose is to develop local people agendas that align with both departmental plans and the broader strategic objectives of the University. You will be responsible for translating the People and Culture Strategy into actionable local plans while designing and delivering vital organisational change initiatives.

You will also be a member of the Senior Management Team of the People Directorate (PD).

About the team

You will work collaboratively across the People Directorate, co-creating solutions with teams such as Organisational Effectiveness and Development, People Operations, and the Recruitment Partner. Externally, you will build and maintain networks with bodies such as the University Alliance, UCEA, and CIPD, as well as engaging with our recognised Trade Unions (UCU and Unison).

What will I be doing?

• Strategy Implementation: Effectively land and embed the People and Culture Strategy through local plans covering attraction, selection, succession planning, development and employee engagement.
• Performance & Design: Support the improvement of people's performance and ensure business areas are designed in line with organisation design principles to remain fit for purpose.
• Data-Driven Insights: Utilise people metrics and data to identify trends and design solutions for improvements in areas such as sickness absence, NSS outcomes, and REF outcomes.
• Coaching & Advice: Provide coaching, support, and challenge to senior managers, enabling them to handle a variety of people management scenarios effectively.
• EDI Leadership: Act as an EDI champion, addressing equality, diversity, and inclusion within your allocated business areas.
• Provide leadership within PD: As a member of the Senior Management Team and a key point of liaison between people specialists and colleagues across your client areas.

What skills do I need?

We are looking for a resilient, solution-focused professional who can demonstrate:

• Success in a strategic HR Business Partner role with strong coaching, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
• Comprehensive understanding of HR best practice, employment legislation, and current sector trends.
• Experience in organisational development, change management, and performance management.
• The ability to turn complex data into meaningful insights and forward-thinking solutions.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to lead multiple change projects and navigate ambiguity.

About the location

Based at our Headington campus, you’ll experience the vibrant campus atmosphere and benefit from our modern office environment. The campus is one mile from the centre of Oxford and is served by regular public transport. This role will be hybrid and we require 1-2 days on campus per week.

Benefits

As an Oxford Brookes employee, you will enjoy a total of a minimum of 25 days holiday, rising with your service, plus 8 Bank Holidays and additional university concessionary days (approx 5 per year).

We have an extremely competitive Local Government pension scheme with a 19.2% employer contribution rate, as well as providing all staff with financial education and a comprehensive employee assistance helpline.

We prioritise the wellbeing of our employees, physically and mentally, and financially and we provide a diverse and comprehensive benefits package to support our team.

In addition, all employees have access to:

• Discounted rates for the university sports and gym facilities
• An on-site nursery
• Discounted travel options
• TOTUM card discount scheme
• Relocation scheme (for moves over 30 miles, subject to terms of the scheme)
• Training and development opportunities
• A connected community - Brookes has a wide variety of staff networks which instil a sense of community, offering employees a space for support, guidance and friendship, making it a vibrant and inclusive place to work.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

At Oxford Brookes, inclusivity is one of our five guiding principles: we take positive steps to create an environment in which we celebrate, value and provide equal opportunity to all. We are committed to recruiting from the widest possible pool and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates who embrace our values, regardless of their background.

As a Disability Confident Employer we guarantee to interview any disabled applicant who meets the essential selection criteria.

Oxford Brookes University is a place where minds connect to have a profound impact. We are committed to creating an environment where everyone feels they belong and thrive. We are dedicated to creating a community where every voice is heard and every person feels genuinely welcomed.

We want you

If you are ready to bring your expertise to a world-leading institution and help shape the future of global education, we invite you to start a conversation with us.

Applications must include a CV, Cover Letter and details of their current salary.

Application deadline

Closing date for applications: 5pm, on 4 February 2026.

Interview schedule

Interviews will take place week commencing: 16 February 2026.

If you have any questions about the role, please do not hesitate to contact the line manager and Chief People Officer, Sarah Thonemann, at [e-mail].