Head of People Services

People and Student Wellbeing

Paisley Campus with travel to other campuses

Salary: Grade SS1 £70,919 – £79,408

Full time: 35 hours per week

Permanent

THE POST – Head of People Services

The People and Wellbeing Department at the University of the West of Scotland has an exciting vacancy for a new Head of Department. The successful post-holder will be responsible for providing strategic leadership, oversight, institutional guidance and management of all aspects of the University’s quality assurance and enhancement framework. This role is an opportunity for an ambitious, diligent and innovative professional with a proven track record of success in a leadership role and the ability to lead an effective University department.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the growing People and Student Wellbeing team here at UWS. The successful candidate will lead and manage the People Services functions to provide a high-quality operational service across the full range of people management, including the enhancement of a strategic business partnering model. The Head of People Services - will report to the Director and in collaboration with the Head of People Wellbeing lead in the development of a high-quality HR operational service to the University, across the spectrum of HR operations, payroll and systems, governance and employee relations; acting as an effective ambassador for the University in a range of external settings ensuring the University is portrayed positively.

The Head will develop and oversee the management of people information systems and reports which support senior management decision making in terms of forward planning, succession planning, performance monitoring and human resource management.

The Head of People Services will use their considerable leadership, influencing and negotiation skills to lead on change projects including pay and reward, process improvement and reviewing the employee relations approach and associated procedures. They

will drive a culture of engagement, promoting employee voice and partnerships developing more efficient, stakeholder focused and enhanced people services to work as a full member of, and contribute to the effective operation of the senior People and Wellbeing team.

The successful candidate will be responsible for:

Leading and managing the People Services teams to deliver the goals and strategies that align with and contribute to the delivery of the University Strategy. The post holder will characterise and demonstrate the University Truths Contributing to the development of People and Wellbeing strategies and policies.  Ensuring customer-focused people service delivery across the entire employee lifecycle, applying exceptional process and project management to enable effective and cost-efficient HR service delivery. Works with the Head of Wellbeing to inform and ensure contracts and delivery models meet the University needs.  This includes but is not limited to annualised working, sabbaticals, internships, placements, and apprenticeships.

The successful candidate should have the following:

A university degree is essential or extensive relevant business experience. Experience of leading and managing directly or indirectly large teams of people. Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
Ability to build trust and credibility with employees at all levels.
Excellent working knowledge of UK Employment Law and Knowledge of HR professional best practice concepts and the ability to apply these in an HE environment. Extensive data analysis and presentation skills, demonstrating the ability to harvest and communicate trends, as well as react and pivot the teams focus appropriately. Excellent Communication and Interpersonal skills to all levels of stakeholders. Highly developed skills in decision making, persuasion, influencing and negotiation. Ability to work at significant pace and under pressure.

ABOUT US

The University of the West of Scotland is one of Scotland’s largest and most dynamic modern universities. Our reach across the country, together with our London campus, means that UWS is a significant force in global knowledge creation, innovation, and a leading provider of undergraduate, postgraduate and research degree education. Our degrees provide students with a transformational experience; equipping them with highly sought-after graduate skills that set them up for global success in world-leading sectors, industries and businesses.

With cutting-edge courses, modern pedagogy and practical knowledge, we enable our students and staff to experience the joy of learning, teaching, research and innovation, and apply their knowledge for the benefit of others.

UWS is officially ranked by Times Higher Education in the top 200 universities worldwide under 50 years old (2023 Young University Rankings).

Our professional services teams are the backbone of UWS, providing robust and innovative solutions to support the vast range of work across learning and teaching, and research and innovation. You will join a supportive and dedicated team, playing a key role in a range of work that will help drive forward our ambition to deliver world-leading research, and graduates who will design, shape and build a new future.

We offer our staff a caring and supportive environment, across five campuses, and a competitive benefits package which includes:

• 31 days of annual leave, plus a further 12 days for public/university holidays
• An additional days leave on your birthday
• Defined benefit contribution pension scheme (currently 19.3%), including death in service benefits upon joining the scheme.
• A flexible approach to working pattern and work-life balance
• Employee discount scheme across 3,500 retailers
• Fitness facilities across our campuses
• Access to a range of health and wellbeing resources, including occupational health, physiotherapy, and access to our Employee Assistance Programme
• Professional, career and research development opportunities.

Closing Date: Tuesday 20th February 2024

Interview Date: Thursday 7th March 2024

The University reserves the right to shorten/extend the closing date of any position where a high/low volume of suitable applications are received. Therefore, if you are interested in this role, an early application would be encouraged.

UWS is committed to equality and diversity and welcomes applications from underrepresented groups.

UWS is a “Disability Confident” employer.

University of the West of Scotland is a registered Scottish charity, no. SC002520.