HR Manager

University of the West of Scotland – Professional Services- People & Wellbeing

Full time: 35 hours per week

Permanent

THE POST

University of the West of Scotland’s purpose is to be a placemaker with its communities, driving social inclusion and reducing inequalities through education, research, and knowledge exchange.

We are seeking an outstanding individual to join the People Services team as HR Manager.

The HR Manager will lead the delivery and continuous improvement of high-quality, customer-focused People services across the University. The postholder will manage and develop a HR Business Partnering and Recruitment Team, ensuring seamless, efficient, and compliant HR operations spanning, recruitment, case management, policy implementation, and people support.

Playing a pivotal role by enhancing the strategy on talent acquisition, and business partnering to enhance the University’s ability to attract, retain, and support a diverse and high-performing workforce. With responsibility for fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and service excellence, the postholder will act as a trusted adviser on employment legislation, change management, and people strategy at all levels of the University.

With a proven track record of achievement in a Senior HR role gained within a complex, multi-faceted environment. Ideally candidates with have experience of implementing complex transformation initiatives, aligning people strategies with business objectives, and fostering engagement during periods of significant change.

The successful candidate should have the following: 

• Human Resources Degree or equivalent professional experience
• Proven experience managing HR and Recruitment professionals, with strong leadership and coaching skills.
• Extensive HR experience achieved in a Senior HR role, in a complex, multi facted environment.
• Ability to deliver/implement a Strategic business partnering model.
• Strong knowledge of HR systems, employment legislation, equality and diversity, and compliance frameworks.
• Demonstrated experience in process improvement, leading complex change management initiatives, and project delivery.
• Ability to professionally influence and engage stakeholders at all levels, including senior leaders and trade unions.
• High level of IT literacy, including advanced Excel and HRIS knowledge 

ABOUT US

The University of the West of Scotland is one of Scotland’s largest and most dynamic modern universities. Our reach across the country, together with our London campus, means that UWS is a significant force in global knowledge creation, innovation, and a leading provider of undergraduate, postgraduate and research degree education. Our degrees provide students with a transformational experience; equipping them with highly sought-after graduate skills that set them up for global success in world-leading sectors, industries and businesses.

With cutting-edge courses, modern pedagogy and practical knowledge, we enable our students and staff to experience the joy of learning, teaching, research and innovation, and apply their knowledge for the benefit of others.

UWS is officially ranked by Times Higher Education in the top 200 universities worldwide under 50 years old (2024 Young University Rankings)

Our professional services teams are the backbone of UWS, providing robust and innovative solutions to support the vast range of work across learning and teaching, and research and innovation. You will join a supportive and dedicated team, playing a key role in a range of work that will help drive forward our ambition to deliver world-leading research, and graduates who will design, shape and build a new future. 

We offer our staff a caring and supportive environment, across five campuses, and a competitive benefits package which includes: 

• 24 days of annual leave, plus a further 12 days for public/university holidays
• An additional days leave on your birthday
• Defined benefit contribution pension scheme (including death in service benefits upon joining the scheme  
• A flexible approach to working pattern and work-life balance
• Employee discount scheme across 3,500 retailers
• Fitness facilities across our campuses
• Access to a range of health and wellbeing resources, including occupational health, physiotherapy and access to our Employee Assistance Programme
• Professional, career and research development opportunities. 

First Stage Interview: MS Teams w/c Monday 1^st December

Second Stage Interview: Tuesday 9^th December & Wednesday 10^th December

Please note that the appointment will be made on the first point of the salary scale (unless by exception, where evidence would need to be provided).

The University reserves the right to shorten/extend the closing date of any position where a high/low volume of suitable applications are received. Therefore, if you are interested in this role, an early application would be encouraged.

You can find out more about how the University uses your personal data as part of the recruitment process by looking at the UWS HR Applicant Privacy Notice at www.uws.ac.uk

UWS are committed signatories to the Armed Forces Covenant.

UWS is committed to equality and diversity and welcomes applications from underrepresented groups.

UWS is a “Disability Confident” employer.

University of the West of Scotland is a registered Scottish charity, no. SC002520

hr-manager-candidate-pack-2025.pdf