Assistant HR Business Partner (Policy and Projects)

FTE: 1.0fte (working 37 hours per week)

Duration of Contract: Fixed Term until 28 September 2028

Annual Leave: 30 days plus standard public holidays and an additional 4 days including the closure of our office between Christmas and New Year

Location: Hatfield  

Our Human Resources Business Partnering team is highly valued for the quality of its HR advice and support. We’re excited to be recruiting to an Assistant HR Business Partner (Policy and Projects) position primarily to support with HR policy development and people projects.

Main duties and responsibilities

You will manage and undertake a variety of HR projects and initiatives that support the people strand of the University’s Strategic Plan, which may include pay, reward, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, and other projects related to the staff lifecycle. You will support the Business Partnering team in designing, developing and promoting new and revised HR policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with employment legislation, good practice and strategic objectives and support the HR Management team with the consultation and approval processes as required, including discussions with the HR team, managers, and Union representatives.

The Assistant HR Business Partner (Policy and Projects) will research, plan, collect and analyse information and develop projects as directed. You will interpret requirements and/or any risks to the University using own initiative and experience in order to formulate a project plan and timeframe and to estimate the time required to complete. You will also prepare briefing papers for senior management and committees as required and contribute to current HR processes and policies, and in particular to identify and highlight improved ways of working.

Skills and experience required

You will have appropriate proven HR experience across the staff lifecycle in a complex and dynamic organisation with effective knowledge and application of UK Employment Law. You will have experience of policy development and policy implementation and experience of using information systems to ensure data led approaches. A methodical approach demonstrating attention to detail is essential, as is excellent verbal and written communication with the ability to deliver information in a clear and concise manner. The ability to develop and maintain working relationships with senior stakeholders as well as staff at all levels of the organisation is also essential.   

Qualifications required

You will hold a professional HR qualification, a degree or equivalent qualification or proven professional work experience and CIPD membership.

Please view the job description and person specification for a full list of the duties and essential criteria, click the 'Apply' button above. Please attach a personal statement showing clearly how your skills and experience match the Person Specification.

Internal applicants – please ensure you apply via your employee self-service portal.

An appointment to this role may require an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate.

We regret that we are unable to offer UKVI sponsorship for this post; applicants will either hold UK Right to Work or demonstrate access to UK Right to Work before an offer is made.

Contact Details/Informal Enquiries: Karen Withers, Senior HR Business Partner (Projects and Reward), k.withers2@herts.ac.uk

Closing Date: 08 February 2026

Interview Date: TBC

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