People Manager (Faculty) - Fixed Term

University of Cambridge; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous holiday

Pension scheme

Flexible working

Family-friendly initiatives

Career development

Health & wellbeing support

Shopping discounts

Bicycle & charity schemes

Job summary

Cambridge Judge Business School (CJBS) is seeking an experienced People Manager (Faculty) to partner with senior academic leaders, shaping workforce planning and people strategy for ~80 faculty members. You will drive academic recruitment, onboarding, development and progression while advising on performance and remuneration matters.

This role combines strategic HR leadership with hands-on support for governance processes and complex employee relations, fostering an environment of excellence in

Qualifications

• Significant experience in a HR Business Partner, HR Manager or equivalent role.
• Expertise across the full employee lifecycle: recruitment, talent management, reward and ER.
• CIPD membership or equivalent professional expertise is expected.

Responsibilities

• Partner with senior academic leaders on workforce planning, OD and people strategy.
• Lead academic recruitment campaigns from planning to appointment.
• Support onboarding, development, probation and career progression of faculty.
• Advise on performance, probation, promotion and remuneration processes.
• Manage complex and sensitive employee relations matters with professionalism.
• Provide guidance on academic leave, visiting appointments and governance processes.
• Drive organisational development and change initiatives for academic excellence.
• Use data and insights to inform strategic decision-making.

Skills

HRBP

Stakeholder management

Employee relations

Analytical skills

Communication

Strategic thinking

Influencing

Education

Degree-level qualification

CIPD membership

Job description

Cambridge Judge Business School (CJBS) is one of the world's leading business schools, renowned for its excellence in research, teaching and global impact. We are seeking an experienced and dynamic People Manager (Faculty) to play a pivotal role in supporting and developing our academic community.

Working closely with key stakeholders, you will be the dedicated HR partner for approximately 80 faculty members currently) and a key contributor to the School's strategic ambitions.

This is far more than a traditional HR role. You will be a trusted adviser, strategic thinker and relationship builder, helping to attract, develop, reward and retain outstanding academic talent in an increasingly competitive global market.

About the role

• Partnering with senior academic leaders on workforce planning, organisational development and people strategy.
• Leading academic recruitment campaigns, from workforce planning through to appointment.
• Supporting the onboarding, development, probation and career progression of faculty members.
• Advising on performance, probation, promotion, reward and remuneration processes.
• Managing complex and sensitive employee relations matters.
• Providing guidance on academic leave, visiting appointments and governance processes.
• Driving organisational development and change initiatives that support academic excellence.
• Using data, insights and evidence-based recommendations to inform strategic decision-making.

About you

• Significant experience in a HR Business Partner, HR Manager or equivalent role.
• A proven track record of partnering with senior leaders and influencing decision-making.
• Expertise across the full employee lifecycle, including recruitment, talent management, reward and employee relations.
• Experience handling complex and sensitive employment matters with confidence and professionalism.
• Strong organisational development and change management capability.
• Excellent analytical skills, with the ability to translate data into actionable insights.
• Outstanding communication, influencing and relationship-building skills.
• A degree-level qualification (or equivalent experience) and CIPD membership, qualification or equivalent professional expertise.

Experience within higher education, research-intensive organisations or similarly complex environments would be advantageous.

Applications are welcome from internal candidates who would like to apply for the role on the basis of a secondment from their current role in the University.

Why work for Cambridge Judge Business School

We are the business school of the University of Cambridge, advancing knowledge and leadership through people who leave a mark on the world. Cambridge Judge Business School leverages the power of academia for real world impact to transform individuals, organisations and society. Since 1990, we have forged a reputation as a centre of rigorous thinking and high-impact transformative education, situated within one of the world's most prestigious research universities, and in the heart of the Cambridge Cluster, the most successful technology entrepreneurship cluster in Europe.

Benefits of working for Cambridge Judge Business School

• Generous holiday allowance
• Defined benefits pension schemes
• Flexible working options
• Family-friendly initiatives
• Career development opportunities
• Support for health and mental wellbeing
• Discounts on shopping
• Tax-efficient bicycle and charity-giving schemes

Application process

Closing Date: 4th October 2026

Interview Dates: w/c 12th October 2026

If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact: [e-mail]

Additional Information

The University is supportive of hybrid working, where some work is undertaken on University premises and some in a remote working environment. The aim of our approach is to enable as many staff as possible to work in a hybrid way if they wish and where their role allows. we expect most colleagues to spend at least 50% of their time at their dedicated office location. This arrangement is subject to change and will not form a part of the contractual terms of the role.

Please quote reference NS51062 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

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.