Appointment of the Executive Director of Human Resources and Organisational Development

Job description

Job title: Executive Director of Human Resources and Organisational Development
College/Directorate: Vice Chancellors Office – UEB
Reports to: Chief Operating Officer
Direct reports: Deputy Director of HROD, Heads of HROD, other roles as necessary/as discussed with Chief Operating Officer
Role Profile: ZEG12

Role purpose

Provide visible leadership across all aspects of university life contributing to the strategic development, performance, and institutional management of the University, promoting a culture of excellence, innovation and collegiality. Model exemplary practices in relation to leadership, management, mentoring and personal support to students, staff and senior colleagues. As a member of the University Executive Board (UEB), ensure that the University is led and managed in a coherent and collaborative way, which supports and enables our ambition to be a world leading applied University.

Lead the University’s strategy and programme of delivery as it relates to people. Work collaboratively across the University, providing proactive leadership and direction for the enhancement of the staff experience (Academic and Professional Services) including the delivery of high-quality HROD services. Ensure there is a positive and constructive people focussed environment, where staff are engaged, and people are at the heart of decision making.

Generic Responsibilities

• Play a leading role in strategic leadership and planning for the University; communicating the strategic vision, mission and ambition of Sheffield Hallam to be a world leading applied university. Take personal, collective and visible responsibility for decisions made within UEB, clearly communicating the decisions and business expectations to all relevant stakeholders.
• Understand the implications of the financial, commercial, regulatory and wider external environment for the University, applying this to the identification of strategic priorities and institutional responses. Apply robust, evidence-based approaches to enhance the University’s performance and ensure an upward progression in league tables and other sector benchmarking.
• Provide effective leadership, performance management, mentoring and personal support for direct reports; and engage with staff more widely, leading by example, to ensure the development of a high performing culture and collaborative cross-University community able to deliver the University’s strategic aspirations through excellence in teaching, learning, professional services and research.
• Set clear priorities and drive results, communicating a clear vision, setting stretching but achievable goals, and managing accountability through timely and transparent decision making and support.
• Be accountable for people and resources within own portfolio, working closely and collaboratively with relevant academic and professional service leads to ensure high performing academic entities and specialist services which reflect the strategic needs of the University, and are both proportionate and appropriate.
• Lead the effective delivery of change through collaborative processes which balance the needs of stakeholders, seeking out and developing innovative ideas, high quality and progressive practice, and enabling others to do the same.
• Maintain a strong external profile and network, actively engaging in strategic horizon scanning and building effective and influential relationships with strategic stakeholders. Represent the Vice-Chancellor and the University in relevant areas, providing regular reports and updates for UEB and the Board of Governors on relevant issues. Lead external groups, bodies or initiatives as appropriate to the University’s interests.
• Embody the University’s values both within and outside the organisation; be accountable for improving equity, equality, diversity and inclusion outcomes for staff and students. Drive and develop an open, collaborative and supportive culture across the University.
• Take responsibility and accountability for specific University-wide initiatives, strategic projects or duties as assigned by the Chief Operating Officer (COO).

Role-specific responsibilities

• Provide leadership, vision and strategic direction on matters relating to  people.
• Take accountability for the alignment of delivery to the University strategy, ensuring appropriate agility and responsiveness to changes in the external environment.
• Provide strategic direction and co-ordination for the delivery of organisation development, encouraging collaboration and recognising that the delivery may be led from different areas within the organisation and that a whole system approach is needed.
• Be accountable for the development and implementation of workforce strategies, including oversight of effective workforce planning, ensuring that the University is able to respond effectively to changing demands and capability requirements. Oversee work to keep under review the future size and shape of the workforce; develop institutional-wide capabilities and career development frameworks, strengthening the leadership and performance management culture across the University.
• Ensure the University’s organisational design and culture supports the University strategy and enables continuous organisational performance improvement.
• Provide expert advice and assurance to the Board of Governors on people and organisational issues, ensuring compliance with relevant statute and employment law relating to all employees.
• Provide expert advice, support and challenge to the VC, COO and other senior colleagues on people and organisational issues, ensuring that the HROD function operates as a strategic partner in decision making and delivery of the University strategy.
• Ensure alignment with related areas at UEB and business delivery level, for example, working in partnership and collaboration with the Chief Finance Officer to ensure that people and budgetary processes are aligned and cohesive, and working with Health and Safety Services to ensure a shared approach to supporting wellbeing.
• Provide strong and effective leadership of the Directorate of Human Resources & Organisational Development, ensuring delivery of cohesive HR&OD services to the University and that the team has the capability and skills required, ensuring positive and collaborative working practices both within the team and with the wider University.
• Deliver a business partner model which ensures appropriate HR&OD support across the University, personally acting as the business partner for the Vice-Chancellor.
• Be accountable for the University’s employee relations strategy, including fostering productive working relationships with recognised trade union representatives, aimed at maintaining, developing and implementing effective employee relationship frameworks.
• Contribute as a member of relevant boards and committees, including acting as chair for the Information and Consultation and Joint Negotiating Committees.
• Be accountable for the development of policies and practices and associated people interventions that enable the University to attract, develop and retain the highest quality staff needed to support its future development.
• Ensure that the University’s HR policies and associated processes are fit for purpose, in line with changes to employment legislation and facilitate effective delivery of the University’s activities and strategy.
• Provide visible leadership of aspects of our EEDI framework through role modelling and active promotion of the University’s principles of equity and inclusion and ensuring tight alignment between the University’s EEDI Delivery Plan and its People Strategy, cultivating a culture of collaboration between HROD and the EEDI Team.
• Roles and responsibilities, together with associated job descriptions and person specifications will evolve to meet the changing needs of the University. The University reserves the right to make appropriate changes from time to time. Any such changes will be carried out in consultation with the post holder.