HR Business Partner 6 month FTC

About the Role

A leading university in South East London is seeking an experienced HR Business Partner to join their People & Culture team on an interim basis. This is a broad and impactful role, ideal for someone who thrives in a dynamic environment and can build strong, credible relationships across academic and professional services.

The focus of the position will centre around workforce planning, supporting senior leaders to shape future capability, optimise organisational design, and ensure people strategies align with long-term institutional priorities. Leading redundancy processes, including settlement agreements.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with senior leaders to deliver proactive, strategic workforce planning across designated faculties and departments.
• Provide trusted HR advice on organisational design, resourcing models, talent planning and capability frameworks.
• Support change initiatives, including restructures and service redesign, ensuring effective consultation and communication.
• Analyse workforce data and trends to inform decision-making and future workforce requirements.
• Build strong, influential relationships with stakeholders, including managers, trade unions and internal HR teams.
• Coach and support managers on complex employee relations matters, performance management and people development.
• Contribute to wider People & Culture projects as needed to support institutional priorities.

About You

• Proven experience as an HR Business Partner, ideally within Higher Education.
• Strong background in leading redundancy processes, including settlement agreements.
• Strong background in workforce planning, organisational change, or strategic transformation work.
• Confident working with senior stakeholders and able to influence at all levels.
• Sound understanding of employee relations and UK employment legislation.
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment with the ability to hit the ground running.
• CIPD qualified (or equivalent experience).

Why Join?This is an excellent opportunity to play a key role within a respected university, shaping how the organisation supports its people now and in the future. You'll work alongside a collaborative HR leadership team with the autonomy to make a meaningful impact.
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV.

Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at hays.co.uk