HR Business Partner (Global Mobility)

We are seeking an experienced HR Business Partner (Global Mobility) to join our HR team at the University of Surrey in Guildford to play a pivotal role in supporting the University’s international strategy. This is a unique opportunity to combine HR partnering with specialist expertise in global mobility, ensuring our people can thrive across our home campus in Guildford and our international branch campuses, joint ventures, and partnerships.

In this role, you will providing expert guidance to leaders and managers while overseeing the end-to-end HR processes for international assignments, contributing directly to the success of our overseas teaching, research, and operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with University leaders in designated business areas to deliver people initiatives that strengthen organisational performance and support international strategy.
• Manage the full lifecycle of international staff assignments including reward/mobility packages, recruitment, relocation and professional development solutions.
• Ensure compliance with global immigration, tax, and social security requirements, working closely with our overseas Campus Delivery Partners (where applicable) and building strong relationships with external advisors and overseas payroll providers.
• Provide expert HR advice on the mobility implications of overseas teaching, research collaborations, and branch campus operations.
• Work closely with colleagues in the UK and and overseas campuses to ensure joined-up processes and an excellent employee experience.

About You

You will be an accomplished HR professional with significant experience in international HR, global mobility, or expatriate management, ideally within a large, complex organisation or through consultancy/audit. You will bring:

• Strong knowledge of international HR practices, mobility processes, immigration, and employment law with experience managing overseas payroll, tax, and compliance obligations from a UK employer base.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and advise senior leaders through a proactive, solutions-focused approach, balancing organisational priorities with staff engagement and wellbeing.
• High levels of cultural awareness and the ability to align global policies with local practices.
• Experience working with operations in India and China in relation to UK-based organisations is particularly welcomed, given the University’s international footprint and partnerships.

Why Join Us?

At the University of Surrey, we are proud of our strong international presence and collaborative culture. This role offers the opportunity to shape how we enable and develop our people globally, working at the heart of a forward-thinking, world-class institution. You’ll be welcomed into our HRBP team that thrives on curiosity and continuous learning as we work together to make a real impact on the University’s international success. To support this, we’d prefer it if you will be mainly based at our Guildford campus (typically 3 days a week), with flexibility to work from home outside of this.

How to apply

To apply, please upload a CV and covering letter to the University website. You will also be asked some brief questions to help us understand your suitability for the role.

The University of Surrey is committed to providing an inclusive environment that offers equal opportunities for all.  We place great value on diversity and are seeking to increase the diversity within our community and particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups.

We regularly review applications and reserve the right to close this advert early if we identify suitable candidates. To avoid disappointment, please submit your application as soon as possible.

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