Post Title: HR Business Partner
SBU/Department: Human Resources (Strategy and Partnering)
FTE: 0.8FTE (working 29.6 hours per week – Fixed Term) & 0.8108FTE (working 30 hours per week – Permanent)
Duration of Contract: 1 Year Fixed Term Maternity Cover & 1 Permanent
Annual Leave: 30 days pro rata plus standard public holidays and an additional 4 days including the closure of our office between Christmas and New Year
Location: Bishop Square, Hatfield, University of Hertfordshire
Business Partnering Team
Our business partnering team provides solution-focused, practical, hands-on advice to managers and staff across our University and its subsidiary companies. The team are highly valued by our managers and are their primary contact for all people-related matters. Our business partners are the conduit between our wider HR team and our Strategic Business Units (SBUs) and operate with a high degree of autonomy but work closely together to achieve success for each unit and consistency of approach for the University as a whole.
Main duties and responsibilities
We are looking for an experienced, committed and proactive CIPD-qualified candidate to join our team of excellent HR Business Partners who contribute to and influence the University's Strategy. The Business Partners are responsible for day to day strategic and operational support for the Strategic Business Units with a full generalist remit which will include assisting managers at an early stage in identifying the HR implications of change management strategies and workforce planning. The successful candidate will coach and influence managers in order to develop their people management/leadership skills and constructively challenge inappropriate behaviours/actions appropriately.
Skills and experience required
You will have had appropriate proven HR case work experience, including but not limited to disciplinary processes, grievance, absence management and claims of harassment and bullying as well as supporting change management projects. Ideally you will also have had experience of working with trade unions and ideally experience in the public sector environment. Experience of developing and executing workshops for staff and managers would be advantageous.
Experience of working with key stakeholders in a partnering relationship and the ability to prioritise several sometimes conflicting demands is essential. You will have excellent communication skills and good presentation skills as well as the ability to negotiate and persuade colleagues and develop professional working relationships. Proven ability to work independently on own initiative whilst contributing to the team and demonstrating consistency is essential.
Qualifications required
You will be educated with a Degree or equivalent, or substantial proven work experience. You must also hold a professional HR qualification and CIPD membership.
Flexible Location Principles
The University of Hertfordshire operates a set of Flexible Location principles which allow individual managers to determine flexibility for their teams based on the needs of the team and the services they provide. As we are a campus-based University, our students and colleagues will expect our staff to be available face to face as well as through other media. The nature of the Business Partnering work requires both attendance on site and attendance online via video call on a regular basis. Our work patterns are determined by the needs of our business, but most staff have the option to work from home (in the UK) regularly if they wish to. If you would like further information about this, we would be very happy to discuss with you at the interview stage.
Please view the job description and person specification for a full list of the duties and essential criteria. Please attach a personal statement showing clearly how your skills and experience match the Person Specification.
Internal applicants – please ensure you apply via your employee self-service portal.
We regret that we are unable to offer UKVI sponsorship for this post; applicants will either hold UK Right to Work or demonstrate access to UK Right to Work before an offer is made.
Contact Details/Informal Enquiries: Informal enquiries should be made to Hawa Rahim, Senior HR Business Partner (Business Partnering Team),
[email protected]
Closing Date: 30 July 2026
Interview Date: TBC
Reference Number: REQ000841 & REQ000711
Date advert placed: 16 July 2026
Our vision is to transform lives and UH is committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, and building a diverse community. We welcome applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of their protected characteristics. We recognise there is currently an under-representation of male staff within the HR department, therefore we particularly encourage applications from male candidates. We offer a range of employee benefits including generous annual leave, flexible location opportunities within the UK, discounted Sports Village memberships, personal and professional development and family friendly policies. #GoHerts.
