Deputy Head of Human Resources

The Department of Biology is seeking to appoint a Deputy Head of Human
Resources. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced HR professional
to continue to shape the HR function in a busy academic department within the
University of Oxford, launched following the merger of the Departments of
Zoology and Plant Sciences. The HR Team is dynamic and supportive, providing a
comprehensive HR service to Departmental staff supporting the full employee
life cycle.





You will take a lead role in HR projects, the development of HR initiatives
and bringing forward ideas for improvement and efficiency. You will deputise
for the Head of HR with day-to-day management of the HR function, providing
support and guidance to the team as required. You will take the lead on
individual employee cases and provide guidance to line managers in the
management of complex casework in conjunction with the Head of HR.





Building effective working relationships with academics and their staff,
overseeing end to end processes, you will be responsible for ensuring the
provision of an effective HR service to the department, for contributing to
the wider management of the department through the development and
implementation of departmental HR strategy and procedures. The role includes
recruitment and selection, onboarding, contracts, overseas engagements,
grading and remuneration and providing advice to managers and dealing with
general issues relating to employment law and immigration regulations.





To be successful, you will need to have extensive experience of building and
managing HR processes to deliver an efficient, customer centred and audit
proof HR service. You will be qualified or working toward CIPD graduate level
or have equivalent experience. You will need to have thorough and up to date
knowledge of employment law and be able to make sound decisions, by evaluating
the risks and be able to provide confidential HR advice in a prompt and timely
manner. You will have experience of highly effective line management and you
will need to be able to communicate to a variety of people with tact and
discretion. The role will suit someone who is happy to deal with change and
has the resilience and capacity to adapt.





The University of Oxford is committed to equality and valuing diversity. All
applicants will be judged on merit, according to the selection criteria.





This post is full-time (part time at 80% will be considered).





Enquiries may be directed to the Head of HR - Biology, Carol Baggiolini. The
closing date for applications is midday on Wednesday 22 November 2023, and
interviews will be held on Monday 4 December 2023.





Applications for this vacancy are to be made online via our e-recruitment
system, and you will be required to upload a supporting statement and CV as
part of your online application.