Interim HR Business Partner - Higher Education

Interim HR Business Partner - Higher Education (London)

Location: London (Hybrid working available)Contract Type: Interim (6-12 months)Salary: £35 - £40 per hour (Inside IR35)Start Date: ASAP

Our prestigious university client is seeking an exceptional individual to join their HR team on an interim basis, supporting a large and complex client group during a period of significant organisational change.

The Role

As the dedicated HR Business Partner for a key faculty, you will act as the single point of contact for senior leaders and local HR stakeholders. This is a high-impact role focused on delivering people strategies and providing expert guidance across the full HR lifecycle.

The Role:

• Acting as a strategic partner to senior leadership, navigating complex organisational structures and HR systems.
• Leading on employee relations casework, including sensitive and complex issues (grievances, disciplinaries, restructuring).
• Driving organisational change, including the creation of business cases for large restructure projects.
• Delivering people-focused solutions, working collaboratively with centres of expertise (e.g. ER, OD, Recruitment).
• Developing and implementing talent, EDI and succession strategies, ensuring inclusive practices are embedded across all processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with senior leaders to deliver local people plans aligned with the university's wider HR strategy.
• Provide expert advice on a wide range of HR topics including performance, wellbeing, EDI, talent development, and recruitment of senior roles.
• Act as a coach and trusted advisor to managers, building strong and influential relationships.
• Lead on employee relations casework, with support from the Employee Relations team.
• Support large-scale change management initiatives, bringing insight, structure and pace to complex organisational transitions.
• Engage and support embedded HR teams, ensuring joined-up service delivery.

Essential requirements:

• Significant HR business partnering experience (preferably in higher education, public sector, or similarly complex environments).
• A proven track record in leading HR initiatives that drive engagement and performance.
• CIPD qualification
• A confident relationship builder - credible with senior stakeholders and able to influence at a strategic level.
• Experienced in managing complex ER casework and organisational change, ideally in a large complex organisation.