Head of HR

Reporting to the Bursar, you will be the College's senior adviser on all aspects of employment, for our staff and for the Fellows employed by the College. You will hold the HR, recruitment and training budgets and advise the HR Committee, the Remuneration Committee and the Staff Consultative Committee. You will look ahead, spotting emerging people risks and opportunities early and turning them into clear, practical priorities for the College.
As a self-governing charity, Homerton makes many of its decisions through Council and its committees, so you will lead by earning confidence and giving sound, well-reasoned advice. You will bring current knowledge of best practice in employment and people management, apply it fairly and consistently, and give managers the confidence to handle people matters well and early, so that good practice becomes part of everyday working life at Homerton.
What we are looking for
You will be a Chartered Member of the CIPD, or hold an equivalent qualification and professional standing, with substantial generalist HR experience at a senior level in a complex organisation. You will have expert, current knowledge of UK employment law, a strong record in complex casework and change, and experience of leading a team, managing a budget and developing line managers. We would also value experience of higher education or another collegiate setting, though this is not essential. Just as important, you will bring good judgement, candour and an approachable, collaborative style that earns the confidence of the whole College community.

Homerton College is Cambridge's newest and largest College, home to a lively community of over 1,500 students, 70 Fellows and around 250 staff. The past ten years have transformed the College, bringing an award-winning Dining Hall, a growing conference and events business, hundreds of new student rooms and steady investment in our buildings and gardens. Our plans for the years ahead are every bit as ambitious, and our people are central to them.
We are now seeking an experienced Head of HR to set the direction for people and culture as the College continues to grow. You will shape a people strategy that is guided by evidence and rooted in the Homerton Way, our commitment to a community where everyone feels they belong, and lead the College through the most significant changes in employment law for a generation. It is an opportunity to lead a committed HR team at the heart of the College, influencing how Homerton attracts, develops and retains the people who make it what it is.