Strategic Business Partner

University of the West of England; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) is seeking an experienced Strategic Business Partner to join the People Services team on an 18-month fixed-term basis. The role combines strategic partnering with specialist HR expertise to support faculties and professional services in workforce planning, organisation design and change management.

You will work with senior leaders to translate priority into people strategies, using data and evidence to inform decisions and drive performance and

Qualifications

• Significant experience of operating as a senior HR Business Partner or Strategic Business Partner within a large and complex organisation.
• Expertise across a broad range of strategic and operational HR disciplines.
• Experience of advising and coaching senior leaders through organisational change and transformation.
• Strong workforce planning, talent management and organisational development skills.
• The ability to interpret data and insight to inform decision‑making and develop practical solutions.
• A track record of building inclusive cultures and supporting equality, diversity and inclusion objectives.

Responsibilities

• Strategic workforce planning
• Organisation design and development
• Talent and succession planning
• Leadership and team effectiveness
• Equality, diversity and inclusion
• Culture and engagement
• Change management and transformation
• Employee relations and workforce challenges
• Performance and capability development

Skills

Senior HR Partner

Strategic HR

Change management

Organisation design

Workforce planning

Talent & succession

Leadership development

Diversity & inclusion

Data interpretation

Influencing & coaching

Education

CIPD membership

HR professional qualification

Job description

About This Role

The University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) is seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Strategic Business Partner to join our People Services team on an 18-month fixed-term basis.

This is an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact across a large, complex and ambitious university while providing cover for substantive Strategic Business Partners who are leading major institutional projects. Working closely with senior leaders, you will provide both strategic and specialist people expertise, helping faculties and professional services teams navigate change, enhance performance and build a thriving, inclusive workforce.

As a Strategic Business Partner, you will work alongside senior stakeholders across the University to identify workforce challenges and opportunities, translating organisational priorities into effective people strategies and solutions. You will use workforce insight, data and evidence-based approaches to support strategic decision-making and organisational success.

This is a varied and highly influential role, combining strategic business partnering with specialist people expertise. You will support leaders on a broad range of people matters including:

• Strategic workforce planning


• Organisation design and development


• Talent and succession planning


• Leadership and team effectiveness


• Equality, diversity and inclusion


• Culture and engagement


• Change management and transformation


• Employee relations and workforce challenges


• Performance and capability development

Working as part of an experienced People Services community, you will contribute to key strategic priorities and transformation initiatives, ensuring people considerations are embedded in the University's future direction.

About You

We are looking for a credible and commercially aware HR professional who can build trusted relationships with senior leaders and influence at all levels.

• Significant experience of operating as a senior HR Business Partner or Strategic Business Partner within a large and complex organisation.


• Expertise across a broad range of strategic and operational HR disciplines.


• Experience of advising and coaching senior leaders through organisational change and transformation.


• Strong workforce planning, talent management and organisational development skills.


• The ability to interpret data and insight to inform decision‑making and develop practical solutions.


• A track record of building inclusive cultures and supporting equality, diversity and inclusion objectives.


• Excellent relationship-building, coaching, influencing and consulting skills.


• CIPD membership (or equivalent professional qualification or experience).

Experience in higher education or another complex public‑sector environment would be advantageous.

Where you will be working

UWE Bristol is a campus-based University, with vibrant campus communities that are central to student life.

In this role, you’ll be based at our modern Frenchay Campus where we’ve invested in state-of-the‑art facilities designed to help both staff and students succeed.

You’ll spend most of your time on campus, typically 60 percent of your time, with the opportunity to work from home on the remaining days.

Why UWE Bristol?

We are one of the largest providers of Higher Education in the South West with 38,000 students and 4,000 staff from right across the globe. Based in vibrant Bristol, our ambitions are to make a positive difference to our planet, transforming futures through actions and solving real world challenges.

We offer a wide range of employee benefits including progressive pay rates, very generous annual leave and career average pension schemes as well as retail savings, onsite nursery and opportunities for training and personal development.

Add your individuality to ours

UWE Bristol recognises the power of a truly diverse university community.

We’re part of a vibrant, multicultural city and welcome talented people from all backgrounds.

Diversity is our strength, enhancing creativity, decision‑making, and problem‑solving. Join our supportive community and thrive.

We particularly encourage applications from global majority as we are currently under‑represented in this area, however all appointments are made strictly on individual merit.

As a Disability Confident employer, we encourage applications from disabled or neurodivergent candidates.

Further information

If you would like to speak to us to find out more about this role, please contact Amanda McLay on email: [e-mail]

Interviews are scheduled to take place at our Frenchay Campus on Thursday 19th November.

Shortlisting is expected to be completed shortly after the closing date depending on application volumes. We aim to give candidates at least a week's notice to attend interview.

This is a full-time, fixed‑term post for 18 months, working 37 hours per week.

This post is available on a job share basis for applicants wishing to work part time.

Salary offers are made in line with the University’s salary assessment guidelines, reflecting your relevant skills and experience in parity with colleagues.

Right to Work in the UK

If offered a role, you will need to provide valid documentation confirming your right to work in the UK before employment begins. Guidance on acceptable documents is available via the Home Office Right to Work Checklist.

We may be able to sponsor eligible candidates for this role under the Skilled Worker visa route; however, visa sponsorship eligibility is assessed only at offer stage, being invited to interview does not indicate an offer of sponsorship.

Please review our Skilled Worker Guidance and UK Government website to assess your eligibility. If you do not qualify you may wish to explore other visa options.

Please note that UWE Bristol does not cover any visa or health surcharge costs.

Next Steps

We’ll keep you informed of the outcome by email once shortlisting is complete.