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- Tasks: Support managers and employees in effective people leadership and HR practices.
- Company: Join Cambridge University Press & Assessment, a leading academic publisher.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, 28 days leave, private medical insurance, and flexible working.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in HR while collaborating with a dynamic team.
- Qualifications: Experience in HR advisory roles and strong communication skills required.
- Other info: Hybrid role with excellent career growth and commitment to equality and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 24700 - 32450 £ per year.
Salary: £29,700 - £38,550
Location: Cambridge, minimum 2 days a week in the office
Contract: Fixed Term or Secondment 1 year
Hours: Full time 35 hours per week
As a HR Consultant, you will support and deliver operational people partnering activities. You will work closely with managers and employees to assist them in delivering effective people leadership and practices.
About the role
You're a proactive HR professional who thrives on making a real difference. You have hands-on experience in HR advisory work, with the confidence to guide managers and employees through complex people matters. Your approach combines expert knowledge of employment law and HR best practice with a practical, solutions-focused mindset.
To succeed in this role, you will:
- Work closely with managers and employees to promote effective leadership and inclusive practices.
- Work with colleagues across People & Culture to deliver people products and services that align with the organisation's strategic goals.
- Provide clear, confident advice on policies and employment practices, supporting managers to become self-sufficient.
- Use data and insights to inform decisions and drive continuous improvement.
- Embrace collaboration, innovation, and accountability while fostering a sense of belonging across the workforce.
This position has been classified as a hybrid role, requiring the selected candidate to typically spend 40-60% of their time collaborating and connecting face-to-face at their dedicated location. Aside from our hybrid principles, other flexible working requests will be considered from the first day of employment, including other work arrangements should you require adjustments due to a disability or long-term health condition.
About You
You're an approachable, dependable team player who brings expert knowledge of employment law and HR best practice. You have a proven ability to deliver professional, pragmatic HR advice and build strong, trusted relationships across the organisation. Your communication skills and problem-solving mindset enable you to navigate complex people challenges with confidence.
To succeed in this role, you will demonstrate:
- HR advisory experience, supporting managers to manage employee relations issues such as absence and performance.
- The ability to assess manager capability and identify skill gaps, providing targeted support.
- A continuous improvement mindset, using innovative approaches to solve problems.
- Confidence in interpreting and presenting qualitative and quantitative data to inform decisions.
- Discretion and diplomacy when handling sensitive or confidential matters.
- A commitment to ongoing professional development.
If you meet these requirements, we'd love to hear from you. Your application will stand out even more if you can also show:
- Experience working in a large, complex, or matrixed organisation.
- Exposure to global or multi-country environments.
- Familiarity with HR information systems (e.g., Workday).
- Understanding of project and change management principles.
For a detailed job description, please refer to the link at the bottom of the advert on our careers site.
We are a Disability Confident (DC) employer that is committed to equality and inclusion ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to all. The DC scheme's Offer of an Interview commitment applies to applicants who opt in, and disclose a disability or a long-term health condition, and best meet the minimum criteria for the role. In instances where interviewing all qualifying candidates is not practicable, we prioritise those who best meet the minimum criteria, as we would for applicants who do not have a disability or long-term health condition.
Please note that Cambridge University Press & Assessment will not ordinarily be able to provide sponsorship for vacancies of less than 12-months in duration. Applicants must therefore have an existing right to work in the UK to be eligible for this position.
Rewards and benefits
We will support you to be at your best in work and to live well outside of it. In addition to competitive salaries, we offer a world-class, flexible rewards package, featuring family-friendly and planet-friendly benefits including:
- 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- Private medical and Permanent Health Insurance
- Discretionary annual bonus
- Group personal pension scheme
- Life assurance up to 4 x annual salary
- Green travel schemes
Ready to pursue your potential? Apply now.
We aim to support candidates by making our interview process clear and transparent. The closing date for all applications will be Friday 9th January 2026. We will review applications on an ongoing basis.
If you are shortlisted and progressed through the stages, you can expect:
- A 20-minute screening call.
- Final stage interview: in-person at our offices in Cambridge.
If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process due to a disability or a long-term health condition, there will be an opportunity for you to inform us via the online application form. We will do our best to accommodate your needs.
Please note that successful applicants will be subject to satisfactory background checks including DBS due to working in a regulated industry.
We are committed to an equitable recruitment process. As such, applications must be submitted via our official online application procedure. Please refrain from sending your CV directly to our recruiters. If you experience technical difficulties or require additional support with submitting your online application, contact the Recruiter.
HR Consultant employer: Cambridge University Press & Assessment (CUPA)
Contact Detail:
Cambridge University Press & Assessment (CUPA) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land HR Consultant
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the HR field, attend industry events, and join relevant online groups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company, understand their culture, and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs. Practise common interview questions and think of examples that showcase your HR expertise.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your skills! If you have any certifications or special training in HR, make sure to highlight them during your conversations. This will set you apart from other candidates and show you're committed to your professional development.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Cambridge University Press & Assessment.
We think you need these skills to ace HR Consultant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the HR Consultant role. Highlight your relevant experience in HR advisory work and how you can support managers and employees effectively.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t forget to emphasise your knowledge of employment law and HR best practices. Use specific examples to demonstrate how you've navigated complex people matters in the past.
Be Data-Driven: Since the role involves using data to inform decisions, mention any experience you have with interpreting qualitative and quantitative data. This will show us that you’re ready to drive continuous improvement.
Apply Through Our Website: Remember, we want all applications to come through our official online application process. It’s the best way for us to keep track of everything and ensure a smooth recruitment experience!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cambridge University Press & Assessment (CUPA)
✨Know Your HR Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of employment law and HR best practices. Be ready to discuss how you've applied this knowledge in previous roles, especially when advising managers on complex people matters.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of how you've tackled challenging HR issues in the past. Highlight your continuous improvement mindset and innovative approaches to problem-solving, as these are key traits for the role.
✨Data is Your Friend
Familiarise yourself with interpreting qualitative and quantitative data. Be prepared to discuss how you've used data to inform decisions and drive improvements in your previous positions.
✨Be Approachable and Collaborative
Demonstrate your ability to build strong relationships across the organisation. Share examples of how you've worked collaboratively with teams to promote effective leadership and inclusive practices.
