University of Cambridge
Senior HR Coordinator
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Help shape the people experience behind world-leading research
The Institute of Astronomy is internationally recognised for excellence in research, education and discovery. Our success is built on exceptional people, and we're looking for an experienced HR professional to help create an environment where colleagues can do their best work.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to broaden their HR experience within the University of Cambridge. Working as part of a collaborative Professional Services team, you'll provide high-quality HR advice and operational support across the full employee lifecycle, helping managers and colleagues navigate people matters with confidence while contributing to a positive and inclusive working environment.
Whether you're already working in HR within the University or are looking to bring your experience from another complex organisation, you'll find a varied role with genuine responsibility, opportunities to influence how services are delivered, and scope to continue developing your career.
About the role
Reporting to the Business Operations Manager, and working alongside another HR team member, you'll work closely with colleagues across the Institute and the University's central HR Division to deliver an efficient, professional and customer-focused HR service.
Your work will span the full employee lifecycle, including recruitment and onboarding, employee relations, contractual change, payroll administration, organisational change, immigration processes and workforce reporting. You'll also contribute to projects that support staff wellbeing, equality, diversity and inclusion, and continuous service improvement.
This is a role for someone who enjoys balancing operational delivery with professional advice, building trusted relationships and finding practical solutions to a wide variety of people matters.
About you
We're looking for someone who combines excellent organisational skills with sound HR judgement and a genuine commitment to providing an outstanding service.
You will have experience of working in a busy HR environment and be confident interpreting policies, managing competing priorities and building effective working relationships with colleagues at all levels.
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You Will Also Bring
- experience of supporting HR processes across the employee lifecycle
- excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- strong organisational and analytical skills
- the ability to handle confidential information with professionalism and discretion
- a collaborative and solution-focused approach
- confidence using Microsoft Office and HR systems.
Experience within Higher Education would be welcomed but is not essential. We recognise that excellent HR professionals develop their skills across many sectors and value transferable experience.
Why join us?
Alongside the opportunity to support one of the world's leading universities, you'll benefit from:
- a varied and interesting role where no two days are the same
- opportunities to broaden your HR experience across a wide range of people activities
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements, where operationally appropriate
- Family-friendly policies, including enhanced parental leave and childcare support
- access to an extensive programme of learning and professional development
- a supportive and collaborative community
- excellent University benefits, including generous annual leave and pension provision
- the opportunity to build a long-term career within the University of Cambridge.
For colleagues already working within the University, this role offers an excellent opportunity to develop broader generalist HR experience and take the next step in your career.
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
Our Commitment to Inclusion
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and is committed to creating an environment where everyone feels welcomed, valued and able to contribute.
We welcome applications from candidates with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. If you are excited about this opportunity but your experience does not align perfectly with every aspect of the role, we would still encourage you to apply.
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Flexible working requests will be considered in line with business needs.
Interested?
If you're looking for a role where you can make a real contribution to the employee experience, develop your HR career and work alongside colleagues who are passionate about supporting world-leading research, we'd be delighted to hear from you.
Please explain in your application why this position interests you and how your skills and experience meet the requirements of the person specification and behavioural attributes framework for the role.
Two references will be required for the successful candidate. Please include details of your referees with your application, including email address and phone number, one of which must be your most recent line manager.
Informal enquiries are welcomed and can be made by email to Angela Macharia, Business Operations Manager via email at: departmental.administrator@ast.cam.ac.uk.
Any questions regarding the application process should be directed to Helen Thirkettle, Senior HR Coordinator at: HR@ast.cam.ac.uk.
We encourage early applications as they will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The vacancy may close before the advertised deadline if a sufficient number of suitable applications are received.
The closing date for applications is: 15th October 2026
In-person interviews are provisionally scheduled from Thursday 29th October onwards.
Dates may change depending on whether the vacancy closes early due to receiving a sufficient number of suitable applications.
Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a basic disclosure (criminal records check) check, a security check and a standard Disclosure and Barring Service check.
Please quote reference LG51130 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.
The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
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