Head of HR

Grade UE09: £63,606 - £78,469 per annum

Corporate Services Group – Human Resources 

Full Time: 35 hours per week 

Open Ended: Permanent contract 

 

The Opportunity: 

Together we can do great things. Be part of something bigger.

The University of Edinburgh isn’t just any employer. We are a world class organisation and our people make an ongoing contribution to global thinking, progress and research. You will be working in a University that has made significant contributions to society, medicine, physics and teaching for over four centuries. Our people have helped create the modern world and are working on more ground-breaking technologies and practices. As part of the University of Edinburgh, you’ll be making a difference to everything around you. 

We are a large University covering a wide range of activities. In Professional Services, we support the University’s research and teaching, offering many career and role specialisms. 

As Head of HR Partnering, you will lead the delivery of HR within an aligned area, leading and developing a team of Business Partners to provide a comprehensive professional service supporting both strategic and operational activity.  

This leadership position requires an experienced HR professional with a deep understanding of the unique opportunities and challenges in a multi-stakeholder and complex organisation. With a successful track record of delivering complex change at scale, you will partner with stakeholders across the University on a range of strategic initiatives, leading on all matters relating to HR. You will have regular engagement with trade union representatives and work collaboratively on our plans. 

People have always been at the heart of our work. As part of the University, you are a part of our community. We are looking for people with drive, determination, and a passion for what they do. We are a place where everyone is welcome and offer a range of policies and benefits designed to support you in building the right meaningful/personalised flexibility for you. 

 

A career with us has a range of other benefits that can be tailored to your lifestyle:  

• Working within one of the world’s leading universities 
• Interesting work which offers variety every day  
• Responsibility and autonomy to make a difference 
• Contributing to the work and purpose of the University  

  

This post is full-time however, we are open to considering flexible working patterns. We are also open to considering requests for hybrid working (on a non-contractual basis) that combines a mix of remote and regular on-campus working. 

 

View the full job description (opens in a new browser tab)  

 

How to apply 

Please include the following documents in your application: 

- CV 

- Cover letter explaining how your experience fits well with this specific role and why you want it. 

  

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

• A competitive salary.  
• An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work.  
• To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community. 
• Comprehensive Staff Benefits, including generous annual leave entitlement, a defined benefits pension scheme, a wide range of staff discounts, family-friendly initiatives, and flexible work options. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page (opens in a new tab) and use our reward calculator to discover the value of your pay and benefits.  

  

Championing equality, diversity, and inclusion 

The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter, and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.  

We welcome applications from all qualified candidates. 

Prior to any employment commencing with the University, you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages (opens new browser tab) 

On this occasion the University will not consider applicants requiring sponsorship for this role. International workers will therefore only be able to take up this role if they can demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK. 

  

Key dates to note 

The closing date for applications is 3 November 2026. 

Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm UK time. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone.  

Interviews are likely to be held in early November. 

Human Resources is a strategic partner in delivering the University's strategy and values. We have an important role in shaping inspirational and innovative long-term people strategies that attract, develop, reward and retain a highly motivated and diverse workforce. We are a community of over 100 HR professionals who strive for a positive supportive culture and working environment. We influence change initiatives, define talent and development opportunities and deliver quality life cycle services that help the University and its Academic and Professional Service staff succeed.

As a world-leading research-intensive University, we are here to address tomorrow’s greatest challenges. Between now and 2030 we will do that with a values-led approach to teaching, research and innovation, and through the strength of our relationships, both locally and globally.