At a Glance
- Tasks: Influence leaders and implement people initiatives to support staff and enhance workplace culture.
- Company: UCL, a leading global university committed to diversity and inclusion.
- Benefits: 41 days' holiday, pension scheme, cycle to work, and on-site gym.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on employee wellbeing and organisational change in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experienced HR professional with strong stakeholder management and problem-solving skills.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
As an HR People Partner, you will influence our leaders to implement and action‑plan people initiatives that support our people, working as a trusted advisor and collaborator across your stakeholder group. You will help leaders navigate complex employee relations cases and make sense of their people data to inform their decision‑making. You will be instrumental in translating UCL's HR strategies into practical solutions that support staff in different ways according to your stakeholder's priorities. This could be focusing on leadership development, staff promotion and reward, improving engagement, or supporting EDI initiatives.
Your work will span a full range of activities, from organisational change and employee wellbeing plans to succession planning and performance management. You will act as the critical bridge between your stakeholders and our Centres of Expertise, providing insight, support, and collegiate challenge in equal measure. You will also support the development of inclusive leadership and diverse talent pipelines and play a key role in fostering a culture that prioritises wellbeing, high performance, and continuous development.
The People Partner role works on a hybrid basis, working from our Bidborough House, King's Cross office for a minimum of two days per week (including Monday as our HR anchor day, plus one additional day). You will have an excellent opportunity to build strong, trusted partnerships with senior academic and professional services leaders, becoming their dedicated “go‑to” People Partner. You will play a key role in supporting strategic people priorities while developing deep insight into your faculty's culture, challenges and ambitions.
You are an experienced HR professional already operating at HR Business Partner or People Partner level, perhaps looking at becoming a Senior HRPP in the next 3‑5 years. You will be able to work with senior stakeholders who have high expectations. You'll be comfortable in large, complex matrix environments, and can demonstrate impact through tenacious problem solving. You'll have some good examples of implementing people plans – where you have spotted a challenge, understood the reasons behind it, then come up with a series of interventions with a measurement for improvement.
Your background includes navigating complex employee relations cases, quickly gaining credibility with senior stakeholders, and offering reassuring guidance and support. You are skilled at influencing senior leaders and building relationships, and can bring evidence‑based insights to support decision‑making. You are a confident communicator, articulate, comfortable with ambiguity, and you understand how to balance risk with organisational needs. A strong advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion, you understand the importance of embedding these principles into every aspect of your work.
You will love working autonomously, with guidance from others, and will have worked within a large public sector environment in either ER, HRPP or generalist roles (for example in the NHS, government, local council or of course the HE sector).
As well as exciting opportunities, UCL offers a range of great benefits:
- 41 days' holiday (27 days annual leave, 8 bank holidays, 6 closure days)
- Option to purchase 5 additional days' annual leave
- Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
- Cycle to work scheme, season ticket loan, and immigration loan
- Relocation support for eligible posts
- On‑site nursery and gym
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption pay
- Staff Support Service (employee assistance programme)
As London's Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We particularly encourage applications from candidates underrepresented in UCL's workforce, including those from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds, disabled people, and – for Grade 9 and 10 roles – women.
HR People Partner employer: UK Dementia Research Institute
UCL is an exceptional employer that prioritises the wellbeing and development of its staff, offering a generous benefits package including 41 days' holiday and a defined benefit pension scheme. With a strong commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, UCL fosters a collaborative work culture where HR People Partners can thrive by influencing leadership and driving meaningful people initiatives in a dynamic, hybrid environment at our King's Cross office.
Contact Details:
UK Dementia Research Institute Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land HR People Partner
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at UCL or in similar roles on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing the HR People Partner position.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those tricky interview questions! Think about how you can showcase your experience with employee relations and influencing senior leaders. Use real examples that highlight your problem-solving skills and ability to implement people plans.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for equity, diversity, and inclusion. Be ready to discuss how you've embedded these principles in your previous roles. UCL values this, so make sure it shines through in your conversations!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to 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 the UCL team.
We think you need these skills to ace HR People Partner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the HR People Partner role. Highlight your experience with employee relations and how you've influenced leaders in previous roles. We want to see how you can bring your unique skills to our team!
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, give us examples of how you've tackled complex challenges in HR. We love seeing candidates who can demonstrate tenacious problem-solving and have a track record of implementing effective people plans.
Emphasise Your Communication Style:As a People Partner, you'll need to communicate effectively with senior stakeholders. Use your application to showcase your confident communication style and how you've built relationships in past roles. We want to know how you can influence and support decision-making!
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. We can't wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at UK Dementia Research Institute
✨Know Your Stakeholders
Before the interview, take some time to research the key stakeholders you’ll be working with. Understand their priorities and challenges, and think about how your experience can help them. This will show that you’re not just a fit for the role, but also genuinely interested in making an impact.
✨Prepare Real-Life Examples
Be ready to share specific examples from your past experiences where you've successfully navigated complex employee relations cases or implemented people plans. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers, making it easier for the interviewers to see your problem-solving skills in action.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a People Partner, strong communication is key. During the interview, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. You might even want to prepare a few questions to ask the interviewers about their communication styles and how they engage with their teams, which can demonstrate your interest in building relationships.
✨Emphasise EDI Commitment
Given the importance of equity, diversity, and inclusion in this role, be sure to highlight your commitment to these principles. Share any relevant initiatives you've been involved in and how you plan to embed EDI into your work at UCL. This will resonate well with the interviewers and align with their values.
