Human Resources Business Partner

University of the West of Scotland; Paisley; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

24 days' annual leave

12 public and University holidays

Pension scheme

Flexible working patterns

Fitness facilities access

Health and wellbeing support

Professional and career development

Job summary

University of the West of Scotland in Paisley is seeking an experienced HR Business Partner to join the People and Wellbeing team. You will provide specialist HR advice to senior managers, build trusted relationships, and lead on complex employee relations, attendance, performance, resourcing and workforce planning.

You will coordinate HR projects, help shape policies, and use workforce data to identify trends and deliver practical, compliant HR services while balancing competing priorities in a

Qualifications

• Chartered CIPD membership is essential.
• Degree level qualification or equivalent experience.
• Experience in providing specialist HR advice to senior managers.
• Confident managing or coordinating complex employee relations cases.
• Experience supporting organisational change and restructuring.
• Able to lead or coordinate HR projects and service improvements.
• Skilled at interpreting employment legislation and applying it to complex situations.
• Strong ability to use workforce data to identify trends and make evidence-based recommendations.
• Able to influence, coach and constructively challenge managers while maintaining positive relationships.
• Proactive, resilient and able to manage competing priorities in a changing environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist HR advice to designated faculties and People & Wellbeing colleagues.
• Partner with senior managers to understand challenges and turn people priorities into workable plans.
• Coach and challenge managers on a range of employee relations, attendance, performance, resourcing and change issues.
• Lead or coordinate HR projects and contribute to policy development and service improvements.
• Use workforce information to identify risks, trends and opportunities and ensure a compliant HR service.

Skills

Chartered CIPD

Stakeholder management

Employee relations

Change management

Data-driven HR

Coaching

HR expertise

Education

Degree level qualification

Tools

HR systems

Job description

Full time: 35 hours per week

Fixed Term: Up to 12 months, maternity leave cover

This role may be eligible at this time for visa sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route. This is however subject to being classified as a new entrant, or where the candidate has been continuously employed in the Skilled Worker route pre-April 2024. If requiring visa sponsorship, it is the successful candidate's responsibility to ensure they meet the individual criteria to satisfy Home Office visa sponsorship requirements. If the role is offered on a part-time basis, this might also affect eligibility. More information on eligibility can be found on the Government website.

Please note that the information provided in this advert is correct at the time of writing. The University cannot guarantee sponsorship, and we encourage you to keep up to date with any changes that the Home Office may introduce.

The Post: HR Business Partner

Are you:

• A trusted and credible HR professional?
• Skilled at building strong relationships with senior managers?
• Confident providing constructive challenge and pragmatic advice?
• Experienced in navigating complex employee relations and organisational change?
• Comfortable using workforce information to shape recommendations and decisions?
• A collaborative and solutions-focused colleague?
• A Chartered member of the CIPD?

This is an exciting opportunity to join the University of the West of Scotland’ People and Wellbeing team as an HR Business Partner.

Working in partnership with designated Faculties and P&W colleagues, you will provide specialist HR advice and practical support that supports managers deliver their operational and people priorities. You will build trusted relationships with senior managers, understand the challenges facing their areas and help turn people priorities into effective, workable plans.

No two days will be the same. You will advise, coach and constructively challenge managers across a broad and varied remit, including complex employee relations, attendance, performance, resourcing, employment law, workforce planning and organisational change.

You will lead and coordinate operational people projects and initiatives, contribute to the development of HR policies and service improvements, and use workforce information to identify trends, risks and opportunities. You will also collaborate closely with colleagues across People and Wellbeing to provide a responsive, consistent and legally compliant HR service.

This role offers the opportunity to make a visible contribution at an important time for the University. We are looking for someone who can balance sound professional judgement with a practical and collaborative approach, helping managers find solutions rather than simply directing them through a process.

If you are an experienced HR professional who enjoys working in partnership with managers, influencing through strong relationships and delivering practical people solutions, we would be delighted to hear from you.

The successful candidate will be:

• A Chartered member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
• Qualified to degree level, or able to demonstrate an equivalent level of relevant knowledge and experience.
• Experienced in providing specialist HR advice to senior managers through an HR Business Partner model.
• Confident managing or coordinating complex employee relations cases.
• Experienced in supporting organisational change and restructuring.
• Able to lead or coordinate HR projects and service improvements.
• Skilled in interpreting employment legislation, policies and procedures and applying them to complex situations.
• Confident using workforce data and HR systems to identify trends and make evidence-based recommendations.
• Able to influence, coach and constructively challenge managers while maintaining positive working relationships.
• Proactive, resilient and comfortable managing competing priorities in a changing environment.

Essential requirement:

Chartered Membership of the CIPD is essential. Applicants who do not hold Chartered Membership will not be shortlisted.

About Us

University of the West of Scotland is a placemaking institution that is proud to be an integral part of its local communities, with national and international reach. The University has four campuses in Scotland, located in Ayr, Dumfries, Lanarkshire and Paisley, as well as a campus in London Docklands. UWS has almost 100 international partnerships, and its student community comprises more than 100 nationalities.

UWS is committed to providing education opportunities for all and empowering individuals to reach their full potential. The University creates meaningful impact locally, nationally and globally through innovative learning and teaching, pioneering research and transformative partnerships.

UWS is committed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and was ranked joint first in Scotland and joint fourth in the UK for quality education, and first in the UK and 39th globally for its contribution to decent work and economic growth in the Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026.

In the Research Excellence Framework 2021, 90% of UWS research was classed as world-leading, internationally excellent or recognised internationally.

Our Professional Services teams are the backbone of UWS, providing robust and innovative solutions that support learning and teaching, research and innovation, and the University’s wider ambitions. You will join a supportive and dedicated team and contribute to work that helps UWS deliver world-leading research and develop graduates who will design, shape and build a new future.

We offer our staff a caring and supportive working environment and a competitive benefits package, including:

• 24 days' annual leave, plus a further 12 public and University holidays.
• An additional day's leave for your birthday.
• Access to a defined benefit pension scheme, including death-in-service benefits on joining the scheme.
• A flexible approach to working patterns and work-life balance.
• Access to fitness facilities across our campuses.
• Health and wellbeing support, including occupational health, physiotherapy and an Employee Assistance Programme.
• Professional and career development opportunities.