People Development Portfolio Partner

Ulster University; Belfast; Hybrid; GBP 39,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious university in Northern Ireland is seeking a People Development Portfolio Partner to design and deliver development initiatives. The successful candidate will have a degree and extensive experience in Learning and Development within a large organization. This role is vital in enhancing organizational capability and fostering a sustainable learning culture. The position offers hybrid working based in Belfast or Coleraine, with a competitive salary and a commitment to professional growth.

Benefits

Flexible working

Employee benefits

Qualifications

• Degree or relevant professional qualification with Chartered Membership of CIPD eligibility.
• Experience in Learning and Development or organisational development in a large organisation.
• Direct involvement in design and delivery of development interventions.

Responsibilities

• Design and deliver targeted development interventions across faculties.
• Coordinate cross-institutional teams for effective solutions.
• Strengthen the People Development function within the institution.

Skills

Learning and Development

Leadership Development

Team Development

Education

Degree or professional qualification

Job description

Overview

Job Title: People Development Portfolio Partner

Department: People Development, People & Culture Directorate

Campus: Choice of Belfast or Coleraine (Hybrid)

Salary: £39,975 - £47,416 per annum

Closing Date: 14 October 2025

Duration: Fixed-term for 9 months

Reference Number: 038586

About Us

We are a university with a national and international reputation for excellence, innovation, and regional engagement, making a major contribution to the economic, social, and cultural development of Northern Ireland.

Our core business activities are teaching and learning, widening access to education, research and innovation and technology and knowledge transfer.

The Role

About the People Development

We are a dynamic, forward-thinking team committed to cultivating a sustainable learning culture, one where professional and personal development is not an event, but continuous and embedded as a way of working. We deliver strategic people development initiatives that align with Ulster’s values—particularly our commitment to Enhancing Potential.

Our work spans the full spectrum of colleague development, from leadership and management capability, personal skills and professional development to team effectiveness and organisational culture.

As a People Development Partner, you will design and deliver targeted development interventions that build capability across our Faculties and Departments. Working collaboratively with People and Culture Partners and Organisation Design Partners, you will identify and respond to specific development opportunities and challenges at both faculty level and across the wider institution.

You will take responsibility for complex development initiatives, either delivering them directly or coordinating cross-institutional teams to create effective solutions. Your role will be instrumental in strengthening our People Development function and advancing our institutional capability.

About You

The postholder will be required to be:

• A Degree or other relevant professional qualification and eligible for Chartered Membership of CIPD or other relevant external professional body by examination and experience.
• OR A Degree (or higher) in a business-related discipline which includes a substantial element of either Learning and Development, Leadership Development, Executive and Business Coaching, or HR Management plus a commitment to securing Corporate Membership of CIPD or other relevant external professional body by examination and experience.
• Significant demonstration of experience in a Learning and Development, Leadership and Management Development or organisational development role in a large complex organisation. This must include direct personal involvement as a specialist advisor business partner in relation to the design and delivery of people development or learning interventions.
• Direct involvement in designing people development interventions including team development as a portfolio specialist advisor, demonstrating experience of aligning development initiatives with business priorities.

Please find our employee benefits listed on our website.

Ulster University holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality in higher education, read more on our website. The University has a range of initiatives to support a family friendly working environment, including flexible working.

The University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities. Appointment will be made on merit.