At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead HR strategy and operations for the School of Clinical Medicine at the University of Cambridge.
- Company: Join the prestigious University of Cambridge, a leader in academic and clinical excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a focus on employee engagement and organisational development.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact on HR practices in a world-renowned institution.
- Qualifications: CIPD qualification or equivalent senior HR experience required.
The predicted salary is between 69488 - 80525 £ per year.
A permanent position with a salary range of £69,488 – £80,525 per annum, full-time hours, and hybrid working at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced senior HR professional to join the University of Cambridge as Head of HR for the School of Clinical Medicine, providing strategic and operational HR leadership across one of the University's largest and most complex Schools. The School of Clinical Medicine employs approximately 3,000 people across a diverse workforce spanning academic, clinical, research, professional and administrative roles.
The successful candidate will lead the School's people strategy and HR function, working closely with senior leaders across the University, NHS and external partners.
The Opportunity
- Provide strategic and operational leadership across the full HR agenda, acting as a trusted adviser to senior leaders and ensuring that people priorities are aligned with the strategic objectives of the School, University and NHS.
- Develop and implement the School's HR strategy, using workforce data and insight to identify risks, trends and opportunities for continuous improvement.
- Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders across the School and University, as well as external partners including NHS organisations, Cancer Research UK, industry partners and Cambridge Enterprise.
- Lead on significant organisational change and transformation programmes, supporting the people aspects of major change initiatives and shifts in research funding.
- Contribute to University-wide HR initiatives as part of the HR Division's senior management team, promoting a collaborative and collegiate approach across the wider HR community.
- Focus on employee experience, engagement and organisational development, leading initiatives including employee surveys, action planning, focus groups and management development.
- Oversee the School's HR, Recruitment and Management Essentials training programmes.
- Manage complex employee relations, including sensitive and high-risk cases, and develop HR policies and practices while maintaining effective relationships with trade unions.
- Lead the School's workforce planning, resourcing and recruitment agenda, ensuring alignment with operational and financial plans.
- Oversee medical staffing across the University, covering Consultants, Junior Doctors, Nurses and Allied Health Professionals.
- Represent the University at NHS Medical and Dental Workforce Committees and NHS Local Excellence Award Committees.
- Lead the School's equality, diversity and inclusion agenda, including Athena SWAN, Respect@Work and wellbeing programmes.
- Provide expert advice on clinical pay, NHS and Government directives, national pay frameworks and local flexibilities.
- Ensure the delivery of a high-quality, responsive and strategic HR service while developing a high-performing, engaged and motivated HR function.
This is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced senior HR leader to take responsibility for a broad and strategically significant people agenda within a world-leading academic and clinical environment.
Requirements
- Significant senior-level HR experience across a broad range of HR disciplines.
- Proven experience leading a HR function within a large, complex organisation.
- CIPD qualification, ideally Chartered or Fellow, or equivalent professional experience.
- Extensive experience in strategic HR planning and delivery.
- Experience managing HR budgets and delivering efficiency and productivity improvements.
- Proven experience leading and delivering significant organisational change and transformation programmes.
- Experience developing and implementing HR, people and organisational development strategies.
- Strong workforce planning, resourcing and workforce development experience.
- Significant employee relations experience, including complex, sensitive and high-risk cases.
- Experience developing and implementing HR policies and practices.
- Experience building effective relationships with senior leaders and influencing at a strategic level.
Desirable
- Experience working within an NHS Trust, NHS body or Higher Education Institution.
- Experience working within a Medical School or clinical academic environment.
- Knowledge and understanding of key NHS workforce and employment issues.
- Experience working with NHS clinical terms and conditions and pay frameworks.
- Experience of medical staffing, including Consultants, Junior Doctors, Nurses and Allied Health Professionals.
- Experience with NHS Managing High Professional Standards processes.
- Experience working with GMC referrals or other clinical regulatory processes.
- Experience working with NHS Medical and Dental Workforce Committees.
- Experience working with trade unions and collective consultation/negotiation.
- Experience of reward and benefits strategies.
- Experience working with research-funded organisations or charities such as CRUK or MRC.
How to Apply
Please apply by sending your CV to Jack Sharpe or Abbie Carr at Spirehouse Recruitment for a confidential discussion: cambridge@spirehouse.co.uk
Head of Human Resources in Cambridge employer: Spirehouse
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Human Resources in Cambridge
✨Join HR Networks
Get involved in HR-specific communities, like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and local HR meetups. This is a fantastic way to connect with industry professionals and learn about job openings before they even hit job boards!
✨Make Your Presence Known
Attend HR conferences and workshops in your area to network with potential employers. Don't be shy—introduce yourself, exchange business cards, and let them know you're keen on a full-time role in HR. Who knows, you might just land a friendly face at Spirehouse!
✨Leverage Your University Connections
If you’re a recent grad or still in uni, tap into your career services and alumni network. Many universities have connections with companies looking for HR talent, so get those leads and apply through our website for a smoother application process.
✨Showcase Your HR Passion
Create content around HR topics you’re passionate about, like employee engagement or diversity initiatives. Share articles or insights on LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and get noticed by recruiters. It’s a subtle yet effective way to show you’re the right fit for a full-time role at Spirehouse.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Human Resources in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your HR Skills:When you’re crafting your CV, make sure you highlight specific HR skills that are relevant to the role at Spirehouse. Include any experience with recruitment processes, employee relations, or performance management, and don’t forget to mention your familiarity with HR software or tools that could give you an edge.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tailor it to Spirehouse and the specific HR role. Highlight your passion for people management and how your unique approach can help foster a positive workplace culture. Be sure to sprinkle in examples from your past experiences that illustrate your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any HR certifications or relevant training under your belt, be sure to showcase them! These qualifications can really set you apart from other candidates when applying for this full-time HR position at Spirehouse. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Spirehouse's values and culture. Research the company and align your experiences or values with what they stand for. This will show them that you're not only a fit for the role but also for the overall vibe of the team and organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at Spirehouse
✨Brush Up on HR Best Practices
As you're diving into human resources, it’s crucial to be well-versed in the latest HR practices and legislation. Get familiar with key topics like employee engagement, talent acquisition, and diversity initiatives, as these could easily pop up in your interview with Spirehouse.
✨Know Your Recruitment Tools
Most HR roles involve using various recruitment tools and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Make sure you can comfortably discuss platforms like Workday or Greenhouse. If you've had direct experience, share those examples; if not, show your eagerness to learn!
✨Highlight Your People Skills
A full-time HR role at Spirehouse will require strong interpersonal skills. Prepare to share stories that demonstrate how you’ve successfully navigated conflicts or supported team members in past experiences. Authenticity goes a long way in this field.
✨Stay Current with HR Trends
Being up to speed with current HR trends, like remote working protocols or mental health initiatives, can set you apart. Be ready to discuss how these trends could impact Spirehouse and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
