People & Culture Business Partner (Maternity Cover)

This maternity cover role provides the opportunity to lead and influence at a strategic level, partnering with senior leaders across our Schools and Services to design and deliver impactful People Plans aligned to UEL’s People Strategy and Employee Experience & Development (EED) priorities.

You’ll lead strategic workforce and succession planning, use data and insight to inform decision-making, and support leaders through organisational change and transformation. You’ll also ensure our key People & Culture initiatives — including leadership and management development, reward and recognition, wellbeing, and inclusion are embedded across the organisation, driving a culture of high performance, innovation, and growth.

This is a pivotal role for a proactive, relationship-focused HR professional who enjoys working strategically while delivering tangible outcomes that make a difference to people’s experience at work.

About You

You will bring a strong background in strategic HR business partnering, with proven experience leading workforce planning, organisational design, and people-focused change initiatives. You’re confident using data and insight to influence senior stakeholders and shape people strategies that deliver results.

You will be comfortable operating at both strategic and hands-on levels, equally at ease leading discussions on people strategy as you are supporting leaders through day-to-day challenges. With excellent communication, influencing and relationship-building skills, you’ll collaborate across the People & Culture function to deliver integrated, forward-looking solutions that align to business goals.

Ideally, you’ll be CIPD Level 5 qualified (or equivalent experience) and demonstrate a commitment to continuous professional development. Experience in the Higher Education sector or other complex, multi-stakeholder environments would be advantageous but not essential.

Above all, you will be motivated by the opportunity to contribute to UEL’s ongoing transformation and play a vital role in shaping an engaging, high-performing and inclusive employee experience.

How to Apply

Please apply by submitting your CV and a covering letter (maximum of 2 sides of A4) explaining why you're interested and clearly demonstrating how your skills and experience are relevant for this role.

Please note that interviews are expected to take place the week commencing 24th November 2025.

To contact the recruitment team please phone +44 20 8223 3000 x 4600 or e-mail jobs@uel.ac.uk

At UEL we are committed to working together to build a community which values diversity in both our staff and student populations, is representative and inclusive, enabling all to progress and thrive.