Hr Manager - Balliol College

  Further particulars for the post of

Human Resources Manager

Salary:  £45,585 – £54,395 depending on experience 

Salary Banding:  Grade 8

Contract Type: Full-time, permanent

Location: primarily Balliol College, Oxford, OX1 3BJ

Department:  HR

Responsible to:   Domestic Bursar

Responsible for:  HR Officer

Hours:  37.5 hours per week.  Whilst the normal working hours are 8.30 am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday, work outside of these hours may occasionally be required for which time-off in lieu will be granted.

Balliol College

Balliol was founded in 1263 and is now one of the larger Oxford colleges, with approximately 380 undergraduates and a similar number of graduates in residence at any one time. The College takes academic work very seriously, but visitors are generally struck by the informal and friendly feel of the place. We have a strong sense of community, working together to fulfil our purpose as a place of outstanding teaching, learning, and research. 

Balliol is a constituent college of the University of Oxford and employs some 80 fellows, 50 lecturers and around 180 non-academic staff with Dame Helen Ghosh as its current Master.  

Further information about the College is available at www.balliol.ox.ac.uk.  

Role Description:  

Balliol College is seeking to appoint an experienced Human Resources leader to the newly created role of HR Manager. This is an exciting opportunity to review, rejuvenate and develop the HR functionality at the core of the College, specifically supporting 180 non-academic staff. 

The successful applicant will have well-honed skills and experience in Human Resource management and compliance with employment legislation.  They will be able to balance day-to-day operational matters with long term planning, always seeking how to optimise the performance of the individual and the College as a whole.  We are looking for someone who thrives in a collaborative environment, insists on the highest values, and is looking for an opportunity to make a real difference.

The HR Manager will line manage and work alongside a full-time HR Officer who is responsible for recruitment and HR related administrative duties, providing information and assurance throughout the employment lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Advise Governing Body, Master, College Officers, Heads of Department on strategic and operational issues and complex employment matters.
• Play a key role in supporting a culture that fosters professional excellence, mutual respect, fairness and equality at all levels.
• Provide support in transforming and strengthening the organisational culture of the College.
• Develop, implement and monitor all College policies and procedures are compliant with employment legislation and best practice
• Provide a full, efficient, effective and professional HR service to the College
• Ensure the delivery of first-class HR service to managers and colleagues, including recruitment, onboarding, payroll, employee relations, performance management, employee engagement, reward & recognition, and support for line managers. 
• Provide advice and guidance to managers and staff on all aspects of employment such as recruitment, absence and stress management, performance management, maternity and paternity leave, and disciplinary and grievance etc.
• Take a lead on staff wellbeing matters and initiatives.
• Support managers in managing change within the department, drafting new procedures and handling individual employee relations cases, ensuring compliance with legislation
• Ensure all HR policies, procedures and Staff Handbook are fit for purpose, legally compliant and reflect current best practice
• Review staff performance management and award structures, ensuring a mechanism for staff for personal development and career progression, and clear communication of performance.
• Monitor and consider how the College’s HR data management system, HR Select, can bring benefit to the college
• In collaboration with the PSED (Public Sector Equality Duty) Lead, champion a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) throughout the organisation.
• Oversee HR record-keeping and document retention in line with GDPR legislation
• Represent Balliol in the Oxford HR community and play a key role in relevant college meetings

Other Duties

• To undertake any other duties, consistent with the purpose of the post, as may from time to time be assigned by the Master, Domestic Bursar. 

Person Specification

• CIPD qualification (minimum Level 5) or other appropriate professional qualification
• Significant relevant experience, preferably in Higher Education an Oxbridge College or a similar complex environment
• Demonstrable ability to work at a strategic level and to successfully introduce HR policies and practices across an organisation
• In depth knowledge of UK employment law and regulations
• Experience of successful use of HR databases to promote efficient and effectiveness
• Proven leadership experience in managing departments and teams.
• Empathy, diplomacy, excellent judgment, and creative problem solving skills
• Superior interpersonal and communication skills
• Thorough and methodical attention to detail
• Commitment to continual personal development
• Proficient IT skills

FURTHER PARTICULARS

Holiday:  The postholder will receive paid leave entitlement of 30 working days (in addition to Bank Holidays) during a complete holiday year, five of which are taken around Christmas and New Year.  The College reserves the right to require staff to work on Bank Holidays during full term, receiving a day in lieu. 

Probation and notice: The probationary period will be twelve months, during which time the length of notice is one month on either side, given in writing.  The length of notice thereafter will be three months on either side, given in writing.

Pension:  This post is pensionable under the USS (University Superannuation Scheme). Details can be found https://finance.admin.ox.ac.uk/uss

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Staff meals: a free two-course lunch is available in the Hall, when the kitchens are open.

Travel: benefits include interest-free loans enabling the purchase of bus passes, annual rail season tickets to Oxford, and discounted bicycles and accessories.

Healthcare: benefits include free eye tests, free flu jabs, free use of the College’s onsite gym and the University swimming pool, and preferential rates for other University sports facilities.

University Club: staff are eligible for free membership of the University Club, which offers food, drink and accommodation in an exclusive space for staff, postgraduates and alumni.

Learning and personal development: resources are available from the University in addition to training organised by the College.

Visitor access: staff benefit from free visitor access to the 45 colleges and halls of the University and the University’s Libraries, Botanic Gardens, Arboretum and Museums.

Employee discounts: available at local and national retailers and online services using exclusive discount codes for University staff and with a TOTUM (formerly NUS) card.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Informal enquiries:  Candidates wishing to have an initial conversation about the role should in the first instance contact Jennifer Smith, Domestic Bursar (domestic.bursar@balliol.ox.ac.uk) to arrange a confidential discussion.

Written applications:  Applications should be made by 9.00 am on Friday 28^th June online at https://www.balliol.ox.ac.uk/careers.

Interviews: Candidates selected for interview will be notified w/c 5^th July.  First stage interviews will be held w/c 8^th July 2024.

Right to Work: Shortlisted candidates will be expected to supply original documentation proving that they have the right to work in the United Kingdom (UK). 

Equal Opportunities:Balliol College is an equal opportunities employer. All applicants are asked to complete a separate confidential Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form to help us fulfil our duties in this regard. Applicants are encouraged to ask if they require reasonable adjustments for any part of the recruitment process. 

Data Protection

Personal data is processed in accordance with Balliol College’s Privacy Policy which is available at https://www.balliol.ox.ac.uk/privacy-policy