Senior People Partner

Birmingham Newman University; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

35 days annual leave entitlement

Pension scheme

On-site parking

Staff development opportunities

Employee assistance programme

Job summary

Birmingham Newman University is seeking a proactive HR Partner to join the HR team. The role operates at HRBP level within a complex organisation, delivering professional HR advice and supporting managers and leaders across the University.

This 12-month fixed-term contract (37 hours per week) focuses on driving strategic projects, enabling organisational success, championing inclusive culture, using data to inform decisions, and delivering change and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Proven experience delivering HR projects and driving institutional priorities.
• Excellent analytical, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong knowledge of employee relations and people management practices.
• Influencing and building relationships across all levels.
• Experience of managing and delivering a professional recruitment service.
• Champion equality, diversity, inclusion and belonging across all people practices.
• Experience within higher education or not-for-profit sectors would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic HR projects and initiatives across the University.
• Provide professional HR advice to managers and leaders.
• Collaborate with the Director of HR and HR colleagues to enable organisational success.
• Drive change using data and insights to inform decision-making.
• Review and develop HR policies and procedures.
• Support the recruitment service and onboarding processes.
• Promote equality, diversity, inclusion and belonging.

Skills

HRBP experience

Stakeholder management

Employee relations

Policy development

Recruitment services

Diversity & inclusion

Higher education experience

Job description

We are seeking a proactive, forward-thinking and collaborative HR Partner to join the HR team. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced generalist with a strong track record of operating at HRBP level within a complex organisation.to play a pivotal role in driving forward a number of key strategic projects working closely with managers and leaders across the University, providing professional HR advice and support on a broad range of people management matter.

As this is a 12-month fixed-term opportunity, we are seeking an experienced practitioner who can quickly establish credibility, build effective relationships with senior leaders and add value from the outset. Equipped and eager to drive new projects and initiatives, you will bring the confidence, judgement and expertise to navigate complex people matters.

You will work within a supportive and highly committed professional HR team focussed on delivering excellent service and enabling organisational success through effective people management. Working closely with the Director of HR, managers across the organisation, and fellow HR colleagues, you will lead initiatives that foster a positive, inclusive and high-performing workplace culture. You'll use your expertise to deliver impactful change and continuous improvement, deliver institutional priorities, champion employee engagement and provide trusted HR advice across a broad range of people matters. You'll be collaborative, proactive, and solutions-focused, with the ability to use data and insights to inform decision-making and drive positive change and continuously improvement.

This role is offered on a full-time basis (37 hours per week).

• Proven experience delivering people projects and driving institutional priorities and initiatives
• Excellent analytical, communication and stakeholder management skills
• Strong knowledge of employee relations and people management practices
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to influence and build relationships across all levels
• Support the review and development of HR policies, procedures and people initiatives.
• Experience of managing and delivering a professional recruitment service
• Champion equality, diversity, inclusion and belonging across all people practices.
• Experience within higher education, arts, cultural, charity or not-for-profit sectors would be advantageous

Closing date for applications: 24th September 2026

Interviews will take place on 16th October 2026

Birmingham Newman University offers a wide range of staff benefits including 35 days annual leave entitlement plus bank holidays (pro rata for part time posts), pension scheme, chaplaincy and spiritual care, library services, free on-site parking, discounted travel scheme, cycle to work scheme, employee assistance programme, occupational health and counselling services and staff development opportunities. Further details of the full range of staff benefits available can be found on our website: https://www.newman.ac.uk/knowledge-base/staff-benefits/ or please contact the Human Resources Department.

Birmingham Newman University is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Birmingham Newman University is located on Genners Lane, Bartley Green, Birmingham, West Midlands, B32 3NT.