Deputy Head of HR

The Department of Physics is seeking to appoint a Deputy Head of Human Resources. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced HR professional to continue to shape the HR function in a busy academic department within the University of Oxford. The HR Team is dynamic and supportive, providing a comprehensive HR service to Departmental staff supporting the full employee life cycle.

You will take a lead role in HR projects, the development of HR initiatives and bringing forward ideas for improvement and efficiency. You will deputise for the Head of HR with day-to-day management of the HR function, providing support and guidance to the team as required. You will take the lead on individual employee cases and provide guidance to line managers in the management of complex casework in conjunction with the Head of HR.

Building effective working relationships with academics, line managers and their staff, overseeing end to end processes; you will be responsible for ensuring the provision of an effective HR service to the department, for contributing to the wider management of the department through the development and implementation of departmental HR strategy and procedures. The role includes overseeing the whole HR operation; recruitment, contracts, overseas engagements, development, grading and remuneration and providing advice to managers and dealing with general issues relating to employment law and immigration regulations.

To be successful, you will need to have extensive experience of building and managing HR processes to deliver an efficient, customer centred and audit proof HR service. You will be qualified or working toward CIPD graduate level or have equivalent experience. You will need to have thorough and up to date knowledge of employment law and be able to make sound decisions, by evaluating the risks and be able to provide confidential HR advice in a prompt and timely manner. You will have experience of highly effective line management and you will need to be able to communicate to a variety of people with tact and discretion. The role will suit someone who is happy to deal with change and has the resilience and capacity to adapt.

As an employer, we genuinely care about our employees’ wellbeing and this is reflected in the range of benefits that we offer including:

•               An excellent contributory pension scheme

•               38 days annual leave

•               A comprehensive range of childcare services

•               Family leave schemes

•               Cycle loan scheme

•               Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans

•               Membership to a variety of social and sports clubs 

The University of Oxford is committed to equality and valuing diversity. All applicants will be judged on merit, according to the selection criteria. 

This post is full-time and hybrid working will be considered.

Enquiries may be directed to [email protected]. The closing date for applications is midday on Friday 08 March 2024, and interviews are likely to be held week commencing Monday 18 March 2024.

Applications for this vacancy are to be made online via our e-recruitment system, and you will be required to upload a supporting statement and CV as part of your online application.