People Director

Buckinghamshire New University; High Wycombe; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Bucks New University is seeking a bold, ambitious People Director to architect the operationalisation of our talent strategy and drive the people agenda across the institution. You’ll lead organisation-wide transformation, modernise people services through data, digital innovation and AI, and design structures fit for the future.

This role is central to making Bucks New University an outstanding place to work, challenging the status quo and shaping leadership at Executive and Board level.

Qualifications

• Significant experience of leading HR teams
• Strategic thinker who challenges ‘the way we’ve always done it’
• Ability to influence at Executive and Board level
• Uses People data and insight to drive action
• Has led successful cultural and organisational transformation
• Understanding of unionised environments
• Passionate about developing talent and leadership
• Sees AI and digital innovation as opportunities

Responsibilities

• Lead organisation-wide transformation and change across the university
• Modernise people services through data, digital innovation and AI
• Design organisational structures fit for the future
• Develop leaders who inspire, empower and deliver
• Shape Bucks New University as an outstanding place to work

Job description

Let’s be honest. If you’re looking for a role focused on policies, forms and process management, this probably isn’t it. If you’re excited by building talent, shaping culture, challenging convention and helping create one of the most exciting modern universities in the UK, keep reading.

At Bucks New University, we’re on a mission to deliver our strategic vision, Our Focus, and we’re looking for a bold, ambitious and people-centred leader to join our team as People Director You’ll be the architect of operationalising our talent strategy and the driving force behind our people agenda.

You’ll: lead organisation-wide transformation and change; modernise people services through data, digital innovation and AI, design organisational structures fit for the future; develop leaders who inspire, empower and deliver. Ultimately you will help make Bucks New recognised as an outstanding place to work

As we’re not looking to fit in with the higher education status quo and are challenging it by doing things differently, we’re looking for someone who will too. As part of the application process, we invite you to create your own Job Profile for the People Director role, showing us how you would shape, prioritise and define the position to deliver maximum impact for Bucks New University

We are looking for someone who

• Can demonstrate impact through their significant experience of leading HR teams
• Thinks strategically but acts pragmatically, challenging ‘the way we’ve always done it’
• Can influence at Executive and Board level
• Uses People data and insight to drive action
• Has led successful cultural and organisational transformation
• Understands the realities of working in a unionised environment
• Is passionate about developing talent and leadership
• Sees AI and digital innovation as opportunities, not threats
• Has Chartered status of the CIPD or equivalent HR experience

Because higher education matters. Because talent changes lives.

Because transformation is never delivered by systems alone, it’s delivered by people.

And because you’ll have the opportunity to shape the future of an ambitious university where people, purpose and potential come together.

Closing Date: Friday 25th September 2026

Interview Date: Thursday 8th October 2026