Senior HR Business Partner - Department of Engineering

About the role

The Department of Engineering, the largest department at the University of Cambridge with around 800 staff, is seeking a Senior HR Business Partner (SHRBP) to join its HR team. Reporting to the Lead HR Business Partner for the School of Technology, the SHRBP leads a team of 14 HR professionals covering business partnering, case management, resourcing and HR administration. The role is responsible for the Department's people plans, workforce planning, recruitment, equality, diversity and inclusion, pay and reward and organisational development, and is open only to internal applicants.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and lead the implementation of the Department's HR plan, aligned with the Department's academic vision, the School of Technology and the University's People Strategy
• Manage a team of 14 people covering the full employee lifecycle, from recruitment to leavers, and manage HR, training and wellbeing budgets
• Deliver HR business partnering, workforce planning, resourcing, EDI and pay and reward initiatives
• Develop 12-18 month workforce plans and monitor people management data to identify risks, issues and trends
• Advise the Head of Department and Departmental Committees, producing reports on HR performance metrics and contributing to critical business decisions
• Oversee the HR budget and forecast future costs in line with staff turnover, succession and strategic workforce planning
• Lead engagement projects, develop training and ensure compliance with employment legislation
• Provide advice on complex employee relations, policy development and organisational change, and maintain the HR risk register
• Support the annual promotion and pay and reward schemes

Required profile

• Qualified HR professional to CIPD Level 7 or equivalent experience, with commitment to continuous professional development
• Experience managing an HR team in a complex matrix organisation
• Substantial experience in complex employee relations matters and strategic organisational change management
• Experience developing and delivering HR plans and workforce planning, and influencing senior management on HR matters
• Evidence of coaching, mentoring and managing professional HR staff

Required skills

• Strong management, leadership, communication, influencing, coaching and negotiation skills
• Project management skills and the ability to take the lead on HR projects
• Excellent written and verbal communication, able to present clear reports on qualitative and quantitative data
• IT literate and confident with the Microsoft suite

What we offer

• Permanent full-time position, salary £48,337 to £61,165 per year
• 41 days' annual leave, including bank holidays and University closure days
• Defined benefit pension scheme
• Enhanced family leave and pay policies
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements

Applications are made online through the University's recruitment system, quoting reference AH51529; the closing date is 11 November 2026 and interviews are on 17 November 2026. Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK.