People Policy Manager

University of East London

We’re the University of East London (UEL) founded in 1898 and proud to change lives through education. Our goal is to advance industry 5.0 careers-first education and provide a clear path to the jobs and opportunities of the future. We’re committed to driving diversity in the 5.0 talent pipeline, working in partnership to promote talent wherever it is found and creating a balanced, inclusive, and green future.

But we can't achieve this goal alone. We need forward-thinking, innovative, and curious individuals like you to join our community and help us craft our future. As part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to work with a diverse range of people who share your passion for creating positive change. We’re an inclusive and welcoming community that is constantly moving forward, never satisfied with the status quo.

About the School / Service 

Employee Relations & Policy is a specialist centre of expertise in our People & Culture directorate. It brings together strategic policy development, employee relations, case management, organisational change and trade union partnership working. We aim to give every employee a positive and consistent experience, backed by clear, accessible and legally sound policies.

About the role

You will be the University’s lead authority on People Policy governance, assurance and compliance. You will make sure our policies are fit for purpose, consistently applied and properly embedded. A key focus over the next year will be preparing the Policy Framework for the Employment Rights Act 2025, aligned to the Government’s phased commencement timetable.

You will:

• Own the People Policy Framework and lead the Policy Review Group, setting its forward plan and steering policies through review, consultation and approval
• Lead impact assessment, redrafting and consultation planning for the Employment Rights Act 2025
• Turn complex legal and regulatory requirements into clear, practical policies, toolkits, manager guides and FAQs
• Act as the escalation point for complex policy interpretation, including queries from outsourced service providers
• Develop compliance monitoring and reporting, and provide assurance to senior leaders and governance committees
• Prepare briefing papers, consultation documents and negotiation materials, and represent the University on the Joint Staff Consultation Negotiating Committee
• Work with the Global HR Manager to adapt UK policies for our global hubs
• Carry out Equality Impact Assessments so that our policies are fair and inclusive

About you

You will hold an advanced CIPD qualification or have equivalent experience. You will also bring:

• Extensive experience of developing and managing HR policy in a complex organisation
• A track record of formal consultation and negotiation with recognised trade unions
• Up-to-date knowledge of UK employment law, including the Employment Rights Act 2025
• Excellent drafting skills and the ability to make complex issues simple
• The judgement to balance legal requirements with operational reality, and the confidence to hold a position when it matters
• Strong project and stakeholder management skills

Experience in higher education, of working with outsourced HR providers, or of chairing cross-functional working groups would be an advantage.

Benefits Package

At UEL, we believe that a great role is about more than just a salary. It’s about the complete package, including our outstanding work environment and inclusive culture.

We offer a genuinely competitive salary, dependent on experience (DOE), and a range of excellent benefits.

You can explore our full benefits package here:

https://uel.ac.uk/benefits-professional-services-positions

Equal Opportunities

As an inclusive, equal-opportunities employer, our Stonewall membership and Athena Swan awards reflect our ongoing dedication to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and we’re committed to closing the" diversity pay gap". We’re proud of the progress we’ve made and honest that there’s more to do. We’re determined to keep moving forward so everyone at UEL can thrive.

We're also a disability confident employer and value all applications. Please let us know if you require any reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process.

So, if you’d like to take your career to the next level with us here at the University of East London and are inspired by our environment and committed to success, we want you to apply today!

Please note that this advert may close earlier than the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.

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

CVs without a completed application form will not be accepted.

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.