Senior HR Business Partner Ref: 60031

University of Sussex; Brighton; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Sussex invites applications for a Senior HR Business Partner to drive the evolution of our HR partnering service and strengthen the impact of people practices across the University. This role leads a team of HR Business Partners, partnering with senior leaders to enable transformation and improve leadership decision‑making in a changing academic environment.

As part of the People Partnering team within the HR Division, you will shape a modern operating model that supports

Responsibilities

• Drive evolution of the HR partnering service and strengthen people practices across the University.
• Develop and embed a partnering model that combines people insight, organisational development, workforce planning, talent management and practical HR expertise.
• Lead and develop high‑performing HR Business Partner teams and advise leaders to achieve organisational goals.

Job description

As part of our recruitment approach, internal candidates will receive priority consideration at the shortlisting stage.

About The Role

We are seeking an experienced and forward-thinking HR leader to drive the evolution of our HR partnering service and strengthen the impact of people practices across the University.

Like many institutions across the higher education sector, the University has experienced significant organisational change in response to financial challenges. As we look to the future, this role presents an exciting opportunity to reimagine how HR supports the organisation, shaping a modern partnering and operating model that strengthens organisational capability, enables transformation and helps the University thrive in an increasingly complex and competitive environment.

This is a role for a strategic thinker and influential, collaborative, leader who thrives on building capability, developing high-performing teams and strengthening leadership decision-making across a complex, continually changing and ambitious university environment.

About You

As Senior HR Business Partner, you will play a pivotal role in driving the University's people agenda, providing trusted, strategic advice that enables leaders to achieve their organisational goals, both personally and via the team of HR Business Partners you manage.

Working closely with the Head of People Partnering and the Senior OD Partner, you will help develop and embed a partnering model that combines people insight, organisational development, workforce planning, talent management approaches and practical HR expertise to deliver meaningful organisational change.

About Our Division

This role sits in the People Partnering team, which is encompasses HR Business Partnering and OD, within a wider HR Division comprised of various HR administrative and specialist functions such as EDI, Reward, Employee Relations, Health & Safety, Payroll.

Please find further information regarding the division at Human Resources: University of Sussex.

Why work here

Our university is situated off the A27, next to the beautiful South Downs where you will enjoy everything that our 150-acre campus has to offer. We are accessible by public transport; Falmer train station is a five-minute walk to campus and several bus stops are located within campus. We also have dedicated cycling paths and encourage our staff to use these with our offering of a cycle to work scheme.

Sussex is a renowned, multi-accredited, research-led International University and this is only possible because of the people that work here. Whether you are a member of Faculty, part of a Professional Services team or a Student, it’s our people that make us great and we want you to be part of that.

Find Out More About Our Reward And Benefits Package.

Find out about our equality, diversity and inclusion.

Please contact Sarah Tomlinson, Head of People Partnering, on [e-mail] for informal enquiries.

The University of Sussex values the diversity of its staff and students, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

Eligibility

The University requires that work undertaken for the University is performed in the UK.

Visa Sponsorship Queries: This role may be eligible for sponsorship. Please consult our Skilled Worker Visa information page for further information about Visa Sponsorship.