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Head of People and Organisational Development

University Of Glasgow Court
Glasgow
Full-time
30th April 2026
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Head of People and Organisational Development

Job description

Context

The Strategic Business Partnering function is a key part of the overall People and Organisational Development Directorate. It consists of five teams embedded in the four Colleges and University Services. The Business Partners are assigned to one of these teams and within these will have a number of Primary units (Schools or University Services Directorates) to support. They contribute to both the College/US wider P&OD work plan and may be involved in projects in other Colleges or across the University.

Job Purpose

The Head of People & Organisational Development (P&OD) will provide strategic leadership to the College/University Services (US) as a fully functioning senior business partner and an instrumental member of the College Management Team in the provision of senior leadership and specialist advice to the VP Head of College and their team.

Lead the College P&OD Strategic Business Partnering team, positioning the function as a business-focused, high quality professional service facilitating and supporting the delivery of College/US strategy, policies and operational plans reflecting an integrated and proactive approach aligned with the University strategy. The role is responsible for ensuring that our clients are able to access and benefit from highly effective delivery of People & OD services, optimising the reputation of the function.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

  • Lead strategic areas of responsibility as the senior P&OD functional lead on the College Management Team ensuring clear alignment with, and delivery of, University and College strategic goals, ensuring that strategic plans are monitored and delivered in accordance with agreed timescales and performance standards as appropriate.

  • Actively contribute to strategic and operational deliberations as the senior P&OD functional lead on the College/US Management Team, School/Service executive forums and other working groups, and engage in strategic decision making at a College level.

  • Initiate, develop and implement innovative people management strategies and development plans, reflecting best practice and legal compliance, across the College/US informed by regular horizon scanning.

  • Provide and promote a proactive strategic business partner approach and deliver a high-quality professional service, coaching senior colleagues in the provision of strategically efficient and business-oriented solutions on people & OD related issues, including the associated implications of these decisions and actions focused on enhancing College performance.

  • Lead, motivate and develop the college team of Business Partners, ensuring team related behaviours and attitudes reflect University values, applying appropriate professional standards, setting targets and reviewing individual performance accordingly. Develop an annual workplan for the team allocating key areas of responsibility and projects accordingly and ensuring alignment and necessary time commitment to university-wide initiatives and priorities.

  • Champion the University’s diversity and inclusion agenda throughout the College/US supporting Athena Swan and other related initiatives at unit level as appropriate. Lead the development and implementation of an effective engagement and wellbeing strategy for the College thereby nurturing and embedding our culture and values.

  • Facilitate, support and deliver major organisational change and related initiatives, including restructuring, improving business efficiency, leading on employee relations, supporting the resolution of complex casework and/or mitigating any potential risks to the College and/or University. Ensure positive engagement with the campus trade unions, working within a partnership model to deliver meaningful consultation and, where appropriate, joint working with the P&OD centres of excellence including the case management hub.

  • Maintain key working relationships with all parts of the University and external organisations both within and outwith the sector and keep abreast of external developments and their associated impact on University policies and procedures. Participate in external networking opportunities to enhance sector knowledge and to share best practice with/from other institutions.

  • Lead the local delivery and application of wider University procedures such as Performance & Development Review, Job Evaluation, Rewarding Contribution, Academic Promotion & Zone Movement ensuring these are positively deployed in alignment with strategic people plans within the College/University Services. Actively participate in P&OD policy development, its implementation and consistent application.

  • Work with members of the College Management Group and P&OD senior colleagues to develop and deliver a strategic workforce plan for the College, focussing on talent attraction, development and retention and succession planning. Ensure the organisational shape and size of the College is regularly reviewed to best deliver agreed strategic goals and is consciously aligned with the wider University structures.

  • Fully and actively engage in strategic delivery and activities as a member of the University’s P&OD executive team, representing College interests in the development of University people initiatives, and maintain effective networks with senior P&OD colleagues across the campus. Ensure the Business Partnering function works closely with the P&OD Centres of Excellence and Shared Services hubs, developing effective partnerships and ensuring smooth delivery of services to local stakeholders.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential

A1 A relevant postgraduate qualification with substantial strategic P&OD leadership experience and track record at a senior level with significant professional development and current specialist knowledge of best people practice

A2 Current and continuing Chartered FCIPD membership

A3 A comprehensive knowledge of people management principles, good practice and employment law relevant to large complex UK organisations.

Desirable

B1 Knowledge and understanding of people and organisational development policy and practice within the UK Higher Education sector.

B2 Knowledge of job evaluation methodologies (Korn Ferry/Hay).

Skills

Essential

C1 Ability to think strategically and to manage complex and challenging issues to gain competitive advantage

C2 Excellent problem-solving skills in a complex environment

C3 Strong influencing, negotiating, networking and interpersonal skills and ability to establish personal and professional authority at all levels

C4 Commercial acumen and professional credibility in the effective application of insight to inform business decisions

C5 Excellent data analysis, financial and numerical skills, including the use of associated software (e.g. Excel, databases, etc.)

C6 Strong track record of success in delivering change management projects on time and to budget

C7 Ability to explore client needs and adapt services accordingly in the provision of high-quality and value for money service.

C8 Ability to operate as an effective leader as well as working collaboratively as part of a team across a matrix structure.

Desirable

D1 Facilitation skills

Experience

Essential

E1 Substantial track record of HR/P&OD leadership experience and strategic business partnering working at a strategic level in a large, complex unionised environment

E2 Significant experience of people management and project management

E3 Proven track record in delivering strategic change and experienced in successfully implementing change management initiatives on time and to budget

E4 Experience of working in a talent-led organisation, delivering strategic workforce planning, talent management & development/succession programmes

E5 Experience of formal trade union arrangements and associated employee relations environment

E6 Experience of interpreting highly complex information to provide effective ‘good practice’ solutions to achieve results

E7 Significant experience of aligning institutional strategy to policy development

E8 Significant experience and successful track record of managing and monitoring performance

E9 Highly successful at establishing and maintaining effective working relationships at all levels inspiring trust and confidence

E10 Experience of preparing and presenting highly complex information and presenting for a variety of purposes and audiences

Desirable

F1 Experience of negotiation in local collective bargaining

F2 Experience of exercising organisational development solutions including delivering development sessions, coaching & mentoring, etc

F3 Experience of specialised employment matters as appropriate e.g. international secondments and joint appointments overseas

F4 Experience of working in a matrix structure

Terms and Conditions

This post is full time and open ended.

Competitive salary. Relocation expenses will be provided where appropriate.

Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to Martina Cooper, Martina.Cooper@glasgow.ac.uk

The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK. If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook  https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University   https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community  https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan  https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website  https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.

Closing date: 23:45 on Thursday 30th April 2026