Deputy Director of HR

1. Leadership and communication

a. Demonstrable ability to lead, manage and motivate a large team of staff, empowering them to deliver, and leading them through change to enhance significantly the delivery of HR services.

b. Proven ability to engage with, and communicate persuasively with people at all levels, both written and orally.

c. Excellent interpersonal and negotiating skills, relating well to colleagues from different backgrounds and at varying levels of seniority, and being able to gain the trust of and credibility with board members, senior academics and senior managers.

2. Strategic thinking

a. Ability to think strategically, formulating service, technology and organisational strategies, together with practical tactics for advancement.

b. Ability to foster innovation leading to business change and service development.

3. Management

a. Experience of working at a senior level in a large, complex organisation

b. A proven track record of managing a large multi-disciplinary HR team.

c. Experience of managing budgets.

d. Previous experience of managing or implementing HR IT systems would be advantageous.

4. Behaviours and Personal Characteristics

a. Communicates with a wide range of styles appropriate to different groups, individuals and situations.

b. A proven ability to develop, manage and lead a complex organisation through change.

c. Strong practice of project and programme management.

d. Educated to degree level and a relevant professional/ postgraduate qualification would be advantageous.

The Deputy Director of HR (Service Excellence) provides leadership in the delivery of excellent HR services to the University. This is a key role for the HR Service and is critical to ensure effective and coherent delivery and the transformation of the HR Service. Reporting to the Director of HR and working closely with each of the Assistant Directors of HR, the Deputy Director of HR (Service Excellence) will be responsible for the delivery by the Assistant Directors of HR of streamlined, customer valued and focused HR operational services across the University that meet current and future needs efficiently and effectively. Key to success in the role will be simplifying the way we do things, improving the consistency of service across all service areas, and improving the way we market and promote our services across the University. The Deputy Director of HR (Service Excellence) will also assist the Director of HR in his leadership of the broader strategic HR priorities and objectives for the University.

The Deputy Director of HR (Service Excellence) will be the primary point of contact for senior University management in respect of all HR service related issues. He/she will play a pivotal role in aligning the full resources of the HR team to the provision of service excellence in support of the University’s Strategic Framework. In addition, this focus on service excellence will require collaboration and engagement with the wider University community and ensuring key performance targets, and agreed quality standards, are met.

As the most senior post accountable to the Director of HR for the quality of services provided by the HR Service, the job entails significant people and organisational leadership.The Deputy Director of HR (Service Excellence) must adjust the services, organisation and skills on an ongoing basis to respond to the changing University needs, evolving technology capabilities such as the University’s HR Information System, Newcore, and other economic and environmental factors.

As a senior member of the HR Leadership Team, the Deputy Director of HR (Service Excellence) will take a leadership role in the development and implementation of the HR Service Strategy that supports the broader University HR Strategy.