Lead HR Business Partner (Internal Only)

University of Cambridge; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 64,000 - 67,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

41 days annual leave

Generous pension

Hybrid working

CAMbens benefits

Wellbeing support

Job summary

University of Cambridge is seeking a Lead HR Business Partner to provide strategic HR leadership within the Human Resources Division, supporting either the School of Arts & Humanities or the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. This senior role partners with university leaders to drive people strategies that underpin academic excellence and organisational success.

You'll lead strategic HR initiatives, manage complex employee relations, and deliver major HR projects with a collaborative

Qualifications

• Senior HR experience at a senior level within a complex organisation.
• Proven track record of leading organisational change and influencing senior stakeholders.
• Experience developing and implementing strategic people solutions.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and relationship-building skills.
• Experience managing complex employee relations issues.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to translate business priorities into HR actions.
• A collaborative leadership style and a commitment to continuous improvement.
• CIPD membership or equivalent professional experience is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead the HR contribution to strategic and operational planning.
• Partner with senior leaders to identify and deliver people priorities.
• Lead organisational change programmes and workforce initiatives.
• Advise on complex and high-risk employee relations matters.
• Deliver University-wide and local HR projects.
• Build strong relationships with key stakeholders and trade union colleagues.
• Use workforce data and insight to support informed decision‑making.
• Provide leadership and direction to HR teams supporting your client areas.

Skills

Senior HR leadership

Strategic planning

Stakeholder management

Employee relations

Data analytics

Change management

Negotiation

Leadership development

Education

CIPD membership or equivalent experience

Job description

Contract: Permanent

Salary: £63,606 - £67,468 per annum

Location: Cambridge, with hybrid working

Working Pattern: Full Time

Please note this role is only available to internal applicants.

Are you a strategic HR leader who thrives on influencing senior stakeholders, leading organisational change, and delivering people solutions that make a lasting impact?

We're looking for a Lead HR Business Partner to join the Human Resources Division and provide strategic HR leadership within either the School of Arts & Humanities or the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. This is an opportunity to work with senior leaders across a world-leading institution, helping shape people strategies that support academic excellence and organisational success.

About the role

As a trusted adviser to senior management teams, you'll lead the development and delivery of strategic HR initiatives, ensuring people priorities are aligned with institutional goals. You'll play a key role in leading organisational change, managing complex employee relations matters, delivering major HR projects, and influencing decision-making at the highest levels.

This is a highly visible leadership position where you'll combine strategic thinking with practical delivery, working collaboratively with stakeholders across the University to drive positive change and organisational effectiveness.

What you’ll be doing

• Leading the HR contribution to strategic and operational planning.
• Partnering with senior leaders to identify and deliver people priorities.
• Leading organisational change programmes and workforce initiatives.
• Advising on complex and high-risk employee relations matters.
• Delivering University-wide and local HR projects.
• Building strong relationships with key stakeholders and trade union colleagues.
• Using workforce data and insight to support informed decision‑making.
• Providing leadership and direction to HR teams supporting your client areas.

We're looking for someone who has

• Significant HR experience at a senior level within a complex organisation.
• A strong track record of leading organisational change and influencing senior stakeholders.
• Experience developing and implementing strategic people solutions.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and relationship‑building skills.
• Experience managing complex employee relations issues.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to translate business priorities into HR actions.
• A collaborative leadership style and a commitment to continuous improvement.
• CIPD membership or equivalent professional experience would be advantageous.

Why join us?

Alongside working in a collaborative and intellectually stimulating environment, the University of Cambridge offers:

• Excellent opportunities for professional development and career progression.
• Generous pension provision and 41 days annual leave including public holidays.
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements.
• Access to CAMbens employee benefits and retail discounts.
• A wide range of health and wellbeing support services.
• The chance to play a key role in shaping the future of one of the world's leading universities.

Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a basic disclosure, security check and health assessment.

Closing date: Friday 18 September 2026

This vacancy is open to internal applicants only.

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.