Shape the future of a growing international workforce
We're looking for an experienced HR professional to join the University of East London at an exciting point in our international growth. This is a newly created role that will take the lead on supporting and developing our overseas workforce, ensuring colleagues based outside the UK receive a first-class employee experience while helping the University navigate the practicalities of employing staff across multiple countries.
To be successful in this role you'll be someone who enjoys building relationships, finding practical solutions and working through new challenges. Rather than needing to know every aspect of international employment law, you'll know when to seek expert advice and how to work with specialist providers to ensure the right outcomes.
About the role
This role is not focused on supporting expatriate employees. Instead, you'll be providing HR support for locally employed staff based in the USA, Egypt and India. You'll work closely with UK-based managers who lead overseas teams, as well as managers based within those countries who are responsible for local employees. This means you'll need to understand the practical application of HR within local employment contexts and be confident advising on day-to-day people matters across different jurisdictions, working alongside specialist local advisers where required.
Working closely with senior leaders, you'll provide HR support across the full employee lifecycle for colleagues employed overseas. You'll provide advice and support for reward, onboarding, employee relations, performance, policy application and organisational change, ensuring a consistent and positive employee experience regardless of location.
You'll play a key role in developing processes and guidance for our growing international workforce and can shape how our international HR support is delivered.
What you'll be doing
Partner with managers to provide high-quality HR advice and support for employees based outside the UK.
Support the recruitment and onboarding of international colleagues across academic, research and professional services teams.
Build strong relationships with managers and stakeholders across the University, becoming a trusted HR partner on international people matters.
Work with external providers, including Employer of Record (EOR) partners and legal advisers, to ensure overseas employment arrangements are managed effectively.
Develop practical HR guidance, policies and processes that support an internationally based workforce.
Manage employee relations matters, performance, wellbeing and organisational change across multiple jurisdictions with support from specialist advisers where appropriate.
Help improve HR systems, processes and reporting to support a growing global workforce.
Identify opportunities to enhance the employee experience for colleagues working internationally.
About you
We're looking for an experienced HR professional who has operated at a senior international HR Manager level within a complex organisation.
As this role supports colleagues employed across several international locations, you'll need to have practical HR experience in at least one of the following countries: the United States, Egypt or India. You don't need to be an expert in all three, but you should have a good understanding of local employment practices, HR policies and employee relations within at least one of these markets.
You'll be confident partnering with senior stakeholders and comfortable dealing with a broad range of people issues while balancing operational delivery with continuous improvement. You should have experience working with overseas teams and advising managers across different regions.
You should also have the following international experience:
Significant experience in a generalist HR Manager role.
Experience supporting managers across the full employee lifecycle.
Strong employee relations knowledge and the confidence to manage complex HR issues.
Excellent stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
The ability to work independently while collaborating across multiple teams.
A pragmatic approach to problem solving and continuous improvement.
Why join us?
This is an opportunity to shape a brand-new role within a forward-thinking university with an ambitious international strategy. You'll have the chance to build your expertise in global HR, work with colleagues around the world and make a genuine impact on how we support our international workforce as the University continues to expand its global reach.
Please note that this advert may close earlier than the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.
We will not be accepting CVs for this role, to be considered, you must submit an application through our online job portal.
Closing date 4th August 2026
Further Details
Job Description & Person Specification
