People Partner (1fte)

Royal College of Art; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The Royal College of Art is seeking an experienced People Partner to join our People & Culture team and help drive the College’s strategic objectives. You will partner with senior leaders across Schools and Directorates, providing strategic people advice and shaping a positive, inclusive, high‑performing workplace culture.

As a trusted adviser to Deans, Directors, and senior managers, you will lead workforce planning, support organisational design and transformation, and use workforce data to

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in HR business partnering and organisational development.
• Experience in workforce planning and organisational change.
• Knowledge of UK employment law and change management.

Responsibilities

• Lead workforce planning across Schools and Directorates.
• Support organisational design and transformation initiatives.
• Use workforce data and insights to inform decision-making.
• Coach and develop managers and contribute to engagement initiatives.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Coaching leaders

Workforce analytics

People partnering

Education

CIPD Level 7

Job description

The Royal College of Art is looking for an experienced and forward-thinking People Partner to join our People & Culture team and play a key role in supporting the delivery of the College's strategic objectives.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced HR professional to work in partnership with senior leaders across our Schools and Directorates, providing strategic people advice and helping shape a positive, inclusive and high-performing workplace culture.

As a trusted adviser to Deans, Directors and senior managers, you will lead workforce planning, support organisational design and transformation, and use workforce data and insights to inform decision-making. You will play an important role in helping the College anticipate future workforce needs, build leadership capability and develop effective people solutions aligned with our institutional priorities.

You will also support organisational change and consultation processes, facilitate talent and succession planning, coach and develop managers, and contribute to initiatives that strengthen employee engagement and embed the RCA's values into everyday practice. Working collaboratively across People & Culture, you will help deliver a proactive, joined-up approach to supporting our people and the wider organisation.

We are looking for someone with substantial experience in HR business partnering, organisational development or a strategic HR role, with demonstrable expertise in workforce planning, organisational design, organisational change and the use of workforce analytics. You will have excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, the ability to build trusted relationships at all levels, and experience of coaching and supporting leaders through complex people challenges.

CIPD Level 7 qualification or equivalent experience is essential, alongside knowledge of change management methodologies and upcoming UK employment law changes under the Employment Rights Act. Experience in higher education, workforce budgeting, facilitation, mediation or coaching would be advantageous.

If you are passionate about strategic people partnering and want to make a meaningful contribution to the RCA's future, we encourage you to apply.

Please apply by 11.59pm on 10 November 2026