Associate Business Partner

Terms: Full-time, Fixed-Term Contract until 31^st July 2025

Closing Date: 6 June 2024 - 12:00 noon 

Flexible working patterns will be considered.

It is anticipated that a hybrid working pattern can be adopted for this role, where the successful candidate can work from home and the office. However, as this role is contractually aligned to our Milton Keynes office it is expected that some attendance in the office will be required when necessary and in response to business needs.

Change your career, change lives

The Open University is the UK’s largest university, a world leader in flexible part-time education combining a mission to widen access to higher education with research excellence, transforming lives through education.

People Services is committed to providing The Open University with high-quality people solutions and is valued for its efficiency, expertise, partnering capability and service.

The role

The Open University is recruiting an Associate Business Partner to be based in People Services, providing support and guidance to colleagues, managers and stakeholders on a range of HR-related queries and enquiries.

As an Associate Business Partner, you will work very closely with the People Business Partner, acting as a role model and escalation point for the more complex queries from front-line advisers, taking opportunities to share knowledge and build the skills and confidence of the Adviser population. You will be accountable for providing accurate HR policy and process advise whilst instilling best practice and consistency by providing ER guidance across the business.

Skills and experience

This role will suit you if you:

• Have a strong, up to date understanding of Employment Law.
• Possess previous experience of advising on a variety of Employment related queries and situations, interpreting and applying procedures and guidelines to achieve desired outcome in a manner proportionate to any associated risks.
• Have experience of working on major organisational change programmes.
• Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills, able to explain policies and processes clearly, succinctly and correctly.
• Have good interpersonal skills, including active listening skills and the ability to respond to identified needs through the use of varied questioning techniques.

More information can be provided via a link to the Job Description. 

If you would like to discuss the application or recruitment process before making an application, please contact Marion Child at Resourcing Hub on 01908 655544 or resourcing-hub@open.ac.uk quoting the reference VRF 21668.

What you get in return

We have a strong commitment to providing training and development in and beyond your current role. This includes thorough induction into the organisation and regular reviews of your training and development needs.

We also offer a great range of benefits that support our employees and their families for the long term. Staff Benefits include an attractive pension proposition and 33 days holiday per annum pro rata, plus Bank Holidays and Christmas closure days.

How to apply

Unless otherwise stated in the advert, all applications are completed online via the instructions on The OU Job’s page. Applications submitted via 3^rd party websites will not be received.

Access details for disabled applicants are available from the Resourcing Hub, telephone: 01908 655544, quoting the vacancy reference above.

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