Deputy Head of People & Organisational Development (Human Resources)

The University of Glasgow has been changing the world for more than 570 years, and today we are one of the world's top 100 universities. We are delighted to have been recently awarded Scottish University of the Year by the Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024.

Our people have always been at the forefront of innovation, and our past achievements inspire our current world changers. An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Deputy Head of People & Organisational Development (Human Resources) to join the University’s Human Resources department (known internally as People and Organisational Development or P&OD). As a member of our P&OD team, you'll play a crucial role in fostering an environment where talent thrives and innovation flourishes.

About the role

In this post, you will play a key role in aligning the provision of strategic human resources partnership for the College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences (MVLS). Functioning as a key business partner, the post-holder will collaborate extensively with relevant College and School leadership teams, and will integrate with the wider People and Organisational Development function, to deliver a business-centric, top-tier professional service that supports the implementation of College strategy, policies, and operational plans.

Offering leadership and specialised guidance within the College and across the University where appropriate, you will be involved in the delivery and management of a substantial portfolio of complex strategic people projects and issues, ensuring these are aligned with the University and College’s strategic goals.

Reporting to the Head of People and Organisational Development for MVLS, you will work alongside them and the wider business partnering team to collaborate with the College and P&OD Executive Teams, in a partnership that aims to translate and execute strategic priorities through relevant organisational change and adoption of people and organisational development projects and policies, to empower both the College and the wider University to achieve their business objectives, whilst optimising colleague engagement and experience.

About you

With substantial senior human resources professional experience, gained within a complex and diverse knowledge-based environment, you will have a proven track record of delivering strategic change, and will be experienced in successfully implementing change management initiatives on time and to budget. Demonstrable experience of performance management, as well as formal trade union arrangements and associated employee relations activities is also essential.

Day to day you will be interacting with senior leaders both within the College of MVLS and from the wider University community, therefore experience of working with senior leaders to advise, persuade, support and challenge the status quo and behaviours as required is essential. You will be adept in delivering difficult messages to leaders and colleagues tactfully and diplomatically and will be skilled in facilitation and mediation to guide and reconcile differing viewpoints.

The successful candidate will possess full membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and will have a comprehensive knowledge of people management principles, good practice and employment law relevant to large complex UK organisations.

This post is full-time (35 hours per week, Monday- Friday) and open-ended (permanent). Relocation assistance will be provided where appropriate.

Informal enquiries should be directed via email to Fergus Brown  [email protected]

We strongly endorse the principles of Athena SWAN, including a supportive and flexible working environment, with commitment from all levels of the organisation in promoting gender equity.