Senior HR Coordinator

University of Cambridge; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave

Hybrid working

Pension scheme

Wellbeing programme

Professional development

Staff discounts

Job summary

The University of Cambridge's Department of Engineering invites an experienced HR Coordinator to join a fast-paced HR team. You will support the Departmental Head of HR, embed new ways of working, and coordinate change and process-improvement projects across a large, multi-division staff base.

You will provide flexible support to a team of HR Coordinators and Administrators, ensuring a high-quality, consistent service across the employee lifecycle while continuously improving processes in line

Qualifications

• Experienced HR professional with change and project management experience.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law.
• Ability to advise senior colleagues and navigate ambiguity.
• Proven track record in reviewing and improving HR processes.
• Ability to build strong working relationships and deliver a high-quality HR service.

Responsibilities

• Provide dedicated support to the Departmental Head of HR for a smooth transition to new ways of working.
• Coordinate related project work and process-improvement initiatives.
• Support and deliver a generalist HR service across the department.
• Provide flexible support to a team of HR Coordinators and Administrators.
• Contribute to continuous improvement and adoption of best practices across HR.

Skills

HR advisory experience

UK employment law

Change management

Project management

Relationship building

Process improvement

Advising senior colleagues

Navigating ambiguity

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced HR Coordinator, to join our HR team within the Department of Engineering. The team is evolving following a recent review and restructure and this additional role will add further resilience to the team and provide dedicated support to help shape the future ways of working and to embed new and improved practices. The role-holder will provide support in facilitating the smooth transition into new proposed ways of working, as well as coordinate related projects such as process improvement work.

The Department of Engineering is the largest within the University of Cambridge (approx. 800 staff), and is structured across multiple Academic and Professional Services divisions. The role holder will play a central part in ensuring the delivery of a high quality, reliable and effective HR service within a complex and fast paced environment. We are seeking an experienced HR professional, ideally with some change and project management experience, who is confident supporting and embedding change and committed to continuous improvement, to ensure consistent and effective service delivery.

Reporting directly to the Departmental Head of HR, you will provide dedicated support to them in facilitating an effective and sustainable transition into new improved ways of working for the team, including successfully embedding new initiatives and coordinating related project work. You will also provide flexible support to a team of HR Coordinators and Administrators, who provide a trusted and proactive HR service to the Department that covers administration across the full employee lifecycle. The post will support the delivery of an excellent generalist HR service across the department, supporting the delivery of consistent practice and reviewing processes in the context of continuous improvement.

You will have strong HR advisory experience, excellent UK employment law knowledge, the ability to effectively build strong working relationships and experience in reviewing and improving processes. You will be confident and comfortable advising senior colleagues, navigating ambiguity and offering constructive challenge and solutions in line with best practice and University policy and procedure and enjoy developing and improving existing practice and processes. You will be expected to work closely with HR colleagues within the team, navigating and overcoming barriers in order to contribute to a culture continuous improvement.

The department offers a welcoming and inclusive environment, and the opportunity to work alongside supportive and collaborative colleagues. For more information about the department, please visit www.eng.cam.ac.uk

Benefits Include

• 40.5 days' annual leave for full-time staff (inclusive of bank holidays and University closure days);
• Generous defined benefit pension scheme;
• Enhanced family leave and pay policies;
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements;
• Access to a comprehensive wellbeing programme, including EAP, Occupational Health & Staff Counselling;
• Professional networking and access to Personal & Professional Development team;
• Access to recognition and progression schemes;
• Staff discount schemes

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 18 months in the first instance.

The closing date for applications is Wednesday 9 September 2026.

Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to Hannah Archer, Departmental Head of HR ([e-mail]). If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact the HR Office on [e-mail] or 01223 332615.

Please quote reference NM50717 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.