At a Glance
- Tasks: Partner with leaders to shape people strategy and drive organisational change.
- Company: Join the innovative team at Edinburgh Napier University.
- Benefits: 41 days annual leave, generous pension, and various learning opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic higher education environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in HR partnering and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 46049 - 58225 € per year.
Location: Sighthill Campus, Edinburgh
Grade: Grade 6
Reports to: Head of People Partnering
Are you a strategic HR professional who thrives in complex environments and enjoys partnering with senior leaders to shape people strategy and organisational change? We're looking for a People Partner to join our team at Edinburgh Napier University and play a key role in delivering impactful, insight-led people solutions across Schools and Professional Services.
About the Role
As a People Partner, you'll work closely with Deans, Directors and senior leaders, acting as a trusted adviser and critical friend. You'll bring strong people insight to support workforce planning, organisational design and complex decision-making, helping leaders navigate change and deliver their strategic priorities. Operating in a diverse and evolving Higher Education environment, you'll balance strategic input with hands-on delivery, managing multiple priorities while building strong, credible relationships across the University.
What You'll Do
- Partner with senior leaders to deliver strategic people priorities across your areas
- Act as a trusted adviser, providing expert guidance on complex people challenges and organisational change
- Lead workforce planning, organisational design and people impact assessments
- Use data and insight to identify trends, risks and opportunities and drive informed decision-making
- Support and influence leadership teams to build high-performing, engaged and effective teams
- Lead and support change initiatives, ensuring the human side of change is effectively managed
- Work collaboratively across the People Team to deliver integrated people solutions
- Drive engagement, culture and capability initiatives aligned to University priorities
- Ensure effective governance and alignment with policy, legislation and best practice
What We're Looking For
- Proven experience in an HR Partnering or HR Consultancy role within a complex organisation
- Strong experience of organisational development and leading change initiatives
- Ability to influence and build credibility with senior stakeholders across diverse environments
- Experience managing multiple priorities and delivering across both strategic and operational activity
- Strong analytical skills, with the ability to translate data into meaningful insights and action
- Excellent communication, negotiation and relationship-building skills
- Resilience, sound judgement and the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, evolving environment
- A passion for creating a positive, inclusive and high-performing workplace culture
Why Join Us?
At Edinburgh Napier University, we're committed to innovation, collaboration and excellence. You'll be part of a forward-thinking People Team, working in partnership with leaders across the University to shape culture, strengthen capability and deliver meaningful organisational impact. If you're ready to make a difference in a challenging and rewarding role, we'd love to hear from you.
Our Excellent Benefits Package
- Minimum of 41 days annual leave (including 10 fixed holidays)
- A generous pension scheme (employer contribution of 17.6%)
- 35 hour work week
- Various learning and development opportunities
- Access to our benefits platform Vivup which includes huge range of discounts across the UK's major retailers, health care discounts and Cycle to Work
- Discounted access to onsite and local gym facilities
Salary: £46,049 - £58,225 per annum (Grade 6)
Additional information: Applications encouraged before 15th of June. Interviews: Week of 15th of June at Sighthill campus. On this occasion, the University will not consider applicants requiring sponsorship or visa support for this role. International applicants will therefore only be able to take up this role if they can demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.
People Partner, Full time, Permanent in Dunfermline employer: Edinburgh Napier University
Edinburgh Napier University is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration, making it an ideal place for strategic HR professionals. With a commitment to employee growth, the university offers extensive learning opportunities, a generous benefits package including 41 days of annual leave and a robust pension scheme, and a supportive environment where your contributions can lead to meaningful organisational change. Join us at our Sighthill Campus in Edinburgh, where you can thrive in a dynamic higher education setting while making a significant impact on our community.
Contact Detail:
Edinburgh Napier University Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land People Partner, Full time, Permanent in Dunfermline
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at Edinburgh Napier University on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for the interview process. This insider info can give us a real edge!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those tricky questions! Think about how your past experiences align with the role of People Partner. We should practice articulating our thoughts clearly, focusing on how we can bring value to the team.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase our analytical skills! Be ready to discuss how we've used data in previous roles to drive decisions. We want to impress them with our ability to turn numbers into actionable insights that can benefit the university.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After the interview, send a thank-you email to express our appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a great way to reinforce our interest in the role and keep us top of mind!
We think you need these skills to ace People Partner, Full time, Permanent in Dunfermline
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the People Partner role. Highlight your experience in HR partnering and organisational change, as these are key aspects of the job. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Showcase Your Insights:Use data and examples to demonstrate your analytical skills. Talk about how you've used insights to drive decision-making in previous roles. This will show us that you can bring valuable perspectives to our team.
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone who can build strong relationships, so don’t be afraid to share your passion for creating a positive workplace culture. Be yourself!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure it gets to the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our fantastic benefits!
How to prepare for a job interview at Edinburgh Napier University
✨Know Your People Strategy
Before the interview, dive deep into the university's people strategy and recent initiatives. Understand how they align with the role of a People Partner. This will help you speak confidently about how your experience can contribute to their goals.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Be prepared to discuss specific examples where you've used data to drive decision-making. Highlight how you identified trends or risks in previous roles and how that informed your strategic recommendations. This is crucial for demonstrating your ability to translate insights into action.
✨Build Credibility with Examples
Think of instances where you've successfully influenced senior stakeholders. Share stories that illustrate your relationship-building skills and how you've acted as a trusted adviser in complex situations. This will show that you can navigate the diverse environment at the university.
✨Emphasise Change Management Experience
Prepare to discuss your experience leading change initiatives. Be ready to explain how you managed the human side of change and ensured engagement throughout the process. This is key for the role, so make sure your examples are clear and impactful.
