At a Glance
- Tasks: Support strategic goals and foster a high-performance culture across the University.
- Company: Join a dynamic People Team at a leading University.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a collaborative work environment.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with opportunities for growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping people strategies and influencing change.
- Qualifications: Strong HR experience with excellent stakeholder management skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
We’re looking for a proactive and influential People Partner to join our People Team and support Schools and Professional Services to deliver their strategic priorities. In this role, you’ll build strong relationships with senior leaders, provide expert HR guidance, and drive a positive, high‑performance culture across the University.
About the Role
You will use data, insight and expert HR knowledge to guide decision‑making, lead workforce planning, and support organisational change. You’ll coach leaders, help strengthen engagement, and work closely with colleagues across the People Team to ensure we attract, develop, and retain a diverse, talented workforce. While the role currently has no direct line management responsibilities, you will play an important part in coaching and supporting People Team colleagues.
Key Responsibilities
- Partner with leaders to support strategic and cultural goals.
- Use data and evidence to shape people priorities and influence change.
- Lead workforce planning and organisational change initiatives.
- Support leaders in identifying employee relations risks and ensure matters are escalated to the ER & Reward team where specialist input is required.
- Support leadership teams to perform effectively and collaboratively.
- Foster improved engagement and support high‑performing cultures.
- Collaborate across the People Team to deliver people plans and ensure legal compliance.
- Role model University values and behaviours.
About You
You’ll bring strong HR generalist experience, ideally in a partnering or consultancy role, with a track record of leading change and navigating complex people matters. You’ll be comfortable influencing senior leaders, managing multiple priorities, and working in a fast‑paced environment.
Essential experience includes
- Experience in HR partnering/consultancy.
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
- Experience of managing complex ER cases.
- Ability to coach, guide and challenge leaders.
- Resilience, flexibility, and strong interpersonal skills.
Desirable
- Experience in policy development, working with trade unions, senior recruitment, committee papers, and budget management.
Human Resources Business Partner in Edinburgh employer: Edinburgh Napier University
As a leading University, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and inclusive work environment. Our People Team is dedicated to supporting your professional growth through continuous development opportunities and a commitment to diversity, ensuring you can thrive while making a meaningful impact in the education sector. Join us in shaping a high-performance culture where your expertise in HR will be valued and your contributions will help drive our strategic priorities forward.
Contact Details:
Edinburgh Napier University Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Human Resources Business Partner in Edinburgh
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the HR field and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have a lead or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the company culture and values. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their strategic goals, especially around engagement and high-performance cultures.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your influencing skills! Think of scenarios where you've successfully guided leaders or managed complex people matters. Be ready to share these examples during interviews to showcase your expertise.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Human Resources Business Partner in Edinburgh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Human Resources Business Partner. Highlight your HR generalist experience and any specific achievements that showcase your ability to influence leaders and manage complex people matters.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're the perfect fit for our People Team. Mention how your experience aligns with our strategic goals and how you can help foster a high-performance culture.
Showcase Your Data Skills:Since this role involves using data to guide decision-making, be sure to include examples of how you've used data and insights in your previous roles. This will demonstrate your analytical skills and your ability to influence change.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Edinburgh Napier University
✨Know Your HR Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your HR knowledge, especially around workforce planning and employee relations. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to influence decisions in the past, as this will show your expertise and proactive approach.
✨Build Relationships
Since the role involves partnering with senior leaders, think about examples where you've successfully built strong relationships. Prepare to share how you’ve influenced change and supported leaders in achieving their strategic goals.
✨Showcase Your Coaching Skills
Be prepared to talk about your experience in coaching and guiding leaders. Think of specific instances where you’ve helped others navigate complex people matters or improve engagement within teams.
✨Demonstrate Flexibility and Resilience
This role requires someone who can manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Share examples that highlight your resilience and flexibility, especially when faced with challenges or organisational change.
