Responsibilities of the Role

• Oversee the day-to-day delivery of the PED function, ensuring People services are effective, timely and responsive to the needs of staff and managers across the SU.
• Manage, support and develop the PED team, including the People & Payroll Advisor and student staff, ensuring priorities are clear and work is delivered effectively.
• Maintain and continuously improve HR systems, processes and documentation, ensuring records are accurate, accessible and compliant with GDPR requirements.
• Proactively identify People-related risks, trends and opportunities for improvement, providing recommendations and solutions to the People Director and wider organisation.
• Lead the review, development and implementation of HR policies, procedures and guidance, ensuring they reflect employment legislation, good practice and the needs of the organisation.
• Provide expert advice, guidance and support to managers on a range of people matters, including employee relations, performance management, sickness absence, disciplinary, grievance and investigation processes, ensuring matters are handled fairly, consistently and appropriately.
• Support and advise managers through complex people situations, helping to identify risks, resolve issues and make informed decisions.
• Oversee effective absence management processes, identifying trends and supporting managers to improve attendance, wellbeing and employee support.
• Oversee and support recruitment and onboarding processes, ensuring a positive and consistent experience for new and existing staff.
• Ensure effective employee lifecycle processes are in place, including new starters, changes to contracts, role changes and leavers.
• Oversee payroll processes, ensuring accuracy, compliance and timely delivery, working with relevant stakeholders to resolve queries and continuously improve processes.
• Lead and support People-related projects and initiatives across the SU, identifying opportunities to improve services and ways of working.
• Support managers with workforce planning, development conversations and the creation of effective development plans for their teams.
• Coordinate and contribute to learning and development activity, including sourcing external providers, resources and supporting development programmes for staff, student leaders, trustees and elected officers.
• Champion employee wellbeing initiatives and coordinate activities that support the SU’s culture and ‘work hard, play hard’ ethos.
• Lead and coordinate staff engagement activity, gathering feedback and identifying ways to improve communication, connection and the overall employee experience.
• Develop and maintain initiatives that support staff culture, recognition and engagement, helping to strengthen the SU’s values and working environment.
• Support effective internal communications relating to People matters, ensuring staff receive timely, clear and engaging updates.
• Monitor and evaluate People activity, using feedback, data and insights to improve services and inform future priorities.
• Ensure appropriate records are maintained for meetings, employee relations cases and People activities, with accurate documentation and GDPR compliance.
• Support Equality, Diversity and Inclusion initiatives and help create an inclusive and supportive working environment.
• Work collaboratively with teams across the SU to understand their needs and identify opportunities to improve the support and services provided by PED.
• Take ownership of ad hoc People projects and initiatives, bringing structure, organisation and a solutions-focused approach to emerging needs across the SU.
• All staff are expected to contribute to wider SU activities, including Elections, Events and Campaigns, demonstrating a positive, collaborative and hands-on approach.