The Post
We have an exciting opportunity for a dedicated HR professional to join our team as a Senior HR Business Partner. A skilled business partner, you will be confident working closely with senior managers and key stakeholders across the University. You will enjoy developing and implementing innovative HR solutions aligned with strategy, within an agile and fast paced working environment. Working within our ambitious, successful and collaborative University, you will be a resilient individual with the ability to respond positively to change and drive high performing teams.
You will be a confident and capable HR Business Partner, have significant experience of providing HR support on the management of complex cases, preferably in a unionised environment. You'll be an excellent communicator with a strong customer focused approach, you will be able to think laterally and adapt your professional HR knowledge and experience to the context of the University and client base. As a member of the HR Leadership Team, you will work collaboratively to deliver key aspects of the University’s People Strategy, tailoring your approach to ensure our people can achieve their ambitions and potential.
We're looking for someone with knowledge and experience of working across the range of HR specialisms, who enjoys a challenge and is accomplished in taking a data-driven approach to problem solving.
Description of Duties
- Work in partnership with leadership teams across your portfolio to offer HR expertise on how to develop and implement the right people and organisational solutions to support the delivery of business plans and strategy.
- Provide support, strategic direction and coaching to managers relating to all aspects of HR & OD including managing complex casework, supporting organisational change and identifying and mitigating any associated risk.
- Fully understand the priorities, targets and KPI’s for the Faculties/Directorates, identifying the associated people implications and proposing solutions.
- Work with managers to understand resource requirements and develop people plans to ensure capacity and capability in the short, medium and long term.
- Ensure thorough understanding of the financial position of your client group and the wider University, working with stakeholders to ensure advice is financially viable.
- Work collaboratively across the HR&OD team to identify common challenges and priorities, supporting the development of cross cutting people initiatives where appropriate.
- Build management capability across the University, identifying, developing and delivering appropriate interventions and working proactively to coach and support managers.
- Actively promote new ways of working and continuous improvement within HR & OD to provide a high quality, professional, consistent, and cohesive HR service.
- Use data / management information, where possible, to provide the client groups with key insights into people issues and drive appropriate action.
- Lead / contribute to corporate initiatives, polices and projects as agreed with the Head of HR Partnering.
Essential Criteria
Qualifications
- Degree or equivalent qualification or equivalent skills and experience
- CIPD qualified
Knowledge & Experience
- An evidenced track record of operating in a senior HR role, providing strategic advice, developing options, analysing risks, and providing solutions aligned to organisation strategy/objectives
- Evidenced ability to manage competing demands, delivering value-added improvements whilst maintaining service standards
- Proven experience of supporting managers to resolve challenging and complex casework
- Experience of supporting the development of people plans (resource planning/workforce planning)
- Evidence of supporting, advising, coaching and challenging managers on people management issues and working with them to identify solutions which support delivery of corporate objectives in a large and complex organisation
- Evidence of leading and supporting stakeholders with organisational change, both structural and cultural change
- Experience of identifying, developing and delivering appropriate OD solutions including developing leadership and management capabilities
- Up to date knowledge of HR best practice and employment law
Skills and abilities
- Proven ability to work with stakeholders at all levels and flex approach to get the best out of others, recognising impact of own approach on others and adapting where necessary
- Resilience and perseverance – evidenced drive to deliver, overcome setbacks and remain focussed in the pursuit of service outcomes
- Ability to analyse and interpret data to drive appropriate action
- The ability to lead and/or contribute to organisational projects
- Clear, concise and influential written communication skills
Desirable Criteria
- Experience of working in higher education
- Experience of working in a unionised environment
Additional Information
Full time.
Open ended.
The closing date for applications is midnight on Tuesday 4 August 2026.
Interviews are expected to take place on Wednesday 19 August 2026.
There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.
For the purposes of sponsorship, this post may be eligible depending on candidate's circumstances.
The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers and welcome applications from those who would contribute to further diversification of our staff and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into the substance of the role. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including gender, identity, race, age, class, and ethnicity.
Behaviours and Competencies
We place great importance on behaviours and attitudes during the selection process to ensure that we bring people into the University who support the way we do business. In addition to the duties and responsibilities associated with this role, the role holder will be required to evidence that they can meet the qualities associated with the following behavioural competencies, as detailed within the AUA Competency Framework.
- Managing self and personal skills
Being aware of your own behaviour and mindful of how it impacts on others, enhancing personal skills to adapt professional practice accordingly.
- Delivering excellent service
Providing the best quality service to external and internal clients. Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to drive up service standards.
- Finding solutions
Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically to analyse problems and to develop workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation.
- Embracing change
Being open to and engaging with new ideas and ways of working. Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, shifting demands and changing roles.
- Using resources effectively
Identifying and making the most productive use of resources including people, time, information, networks and budgets.
- Engaging with the wider context
Enhancing your contribution to the organisation through an understanding of the bigger picture and showing commitment to organisational values.
- Developing self and others
Showing commitment to own ongoing professional development. Supporting and encouraging others to develop their professional knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable them to reach their full potential.
- Working together
Working collaboratively with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process.
- Achieving Results
Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.
About Us
The work of the HR & Organisation Development service is to connect and collaborate with leaders, managers and employees across the University to:
- Support the development and performance of our people, teams and the University
- Enhance the leadership, management and team member capability
- Enable the professional agility that nurtures resilience and delivers sustainable change
- Further employee engagement and collegiality within the University
- Support the culture of a learning organisation where our people seek to continually further their capabilities and apply them, to create change
HR & Organisation Development delivers a range of University-wide, strategically-focused development programmes and projects.
The University
The University of Stirling is committed to providing education with a purpose and carrying out research which has a positive impact on communities across the globe. Driven by our mission to be the difference, we are addressing real issues, providing solutions, and helping to shape society.
The University has more than 17,500 students globally and employs 1,500 staff, with more than 140 nationalities represented within our community. Our campus environment is ranked first in the UK and top 10 in the world, and our sports facilities rank first in the UK and second in the world (International Student Barometer 2024, wave two), reflecting our long-standing designation as Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence.
We were shortlisted for University of the Year 2024 at the Times Higher Education Awards and are proud holders of a Silver institutional award from the Athena Swan Charter, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality. We have an overall five-star rating in the QS Stars University Ratings and are ranked top 30 in the UK for postgraduate teaching and learning (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2024). In recognition of our excellence in business education, we are accredited by AACSB International.
Eighty-seven per cent of our research has an outstanding or very considerable impact on society, with more than 80% rated either world leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021), and we are ranked among the top 100 institutions in the world for our contribution to meeting 10 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. We have twice been recognised with a Queen's Anniversary Prize; for our Institute for Social Marketing and Health (2014) and our Institute of Aquaculture (2019).
Alongside partners, the University spearheads the £214 million Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal – which will deliver three major University-led projects: the National Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Hub, Scotland’s International Environment Centre, and the Intergenerational Living Innovation Hub. We are also a central partner in the Forth Valley University College Health Partnership.
www.stir.ac.uk
@stiruni
Job Reference: SERV02095
