People Partner (Human Resources Business Partner)

The Royal College of Art; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 56,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

The Royal College of Art is seeking a strategic People Partner (HR Business Partner) to work with senior leaders across Schools and Directorates. You will lead workforce planning, support organisational design and transformation, and use workforce data to inform decisions, helping to build leadership capability and robust people solutions in line with institutional priorities.

This role requires substantial experience in HR business partnering or strategic HR, with CIPD Level 7 and knowledge of

Qualifications

• CIPD Level 7 qualification or equivalent experience.
• Experience in HR business partnering, organisational development or strategic HR.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Lead workforce planning and support organisational design and transformation.
• Use workforce data and insights to inform decision-making.
• Coach and develop managers and support change and consultation processes.
• Contribute to initiatives that strengthen employee engagement and embed RCA’s values.

Skills

HR business partnering

Workforce planning

Organisational design

Change management

Workforce analytics

Stakeholder management

Coaching leaders

Education

CIPD Level 7

Job description

People Partner (Human Resources Business Partner)

Company: The Royal College of Art

Salary: £56,192 to £62,600 a year

Hours: Full-time

Location: London, England, United Kingdom, SW7 2EU

Working pattern: Hybrid - 2 days remote

Job type: Permanent

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.

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