HR Advisor (0216-26) - Derby, DE22 1GB

HR Advisor ) - Derby, DE22 1GB

About the University

We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.

The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.

We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes. 

Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.

About the College/Department

In People Experience and Culture, we foster a culture of excellence which positively impacts the student experience and supports the University’s growth and success. We focus on the wellbeing of our colleagues, and support our leaders to create engaged, goal-aligned teams that power our organisation and community.

We bring a future-focussed approach to people and skills challenges, using data-led insights to partner our colleges and directorates in securing the right people, at the right time, with the right skills, and right culture that allow us to meet our strategic objectives.

Human Resources

Our human resources team consists of:

• Resourcing - The Recruitment Team resource for a variety of vacancies across the University’s portfolio including permanent, fixed term and hourly paid roles, where the individual will be employed directly with the University. We process vacancies from the point of raising Recruitment Request Form on the E-Recruitment system throughout interviewing and to the point of offer. 
• HR Operations - The HR Operations Team assist managers, HR Business Partners and employees throughout their employee lifecycle. 
• HR Systems - The HR Systems team are responsible for the development and provision of information regarding our workforce. We analyse and present data to help support the organisation with evidence-based decision making. 
• Business Partnering and Advisory - we support the delivery of the University's People Strategy, Strategic Framework, goals and operational plans within their portfolio areas. We provide proactive, strategic and operational HR support with the purpose of aligning the University’s vision and its people by supporting stakeholders to create and implement local plans and strategies. 
• Strategy, Reward and Employee Relations - The HR Strategy, Reward and Employee Relations Team develop future-focussed employment strategies and policies that help support good governance and ensure legal compliance, whilst also developing our Employee Value Proposition both within and outside the sector. We develop evidence-based pay and reward strategies, policies and benefit & recognition schemes that enable us to be competitive and that help drive a culture of high performance across the university.

About the Role

We have a unique opportunity for an HR Advisor to join the University on a temporary, part time basis. 

As part of the HR Business Partnering Team, you will be responsible for providing first-line professional HR guidance and support to managers, as well as managing HR casework. Working collaboratively, you will work with the business to deliver efficient, proactive, innovative and pragmatic business-focused HR solutions and recommendations.  You will also work proactively with the business to improve employee relations through coaching and building management capability to support effective people and performance management.  

You'll have current knowledge of employment legislation, its application and best practice, combined with HR generalist experience in a large and complex organisation. This role involves working with various stakeholders to develop their HR skills through a coaching approach, to ensure a high-quality staff experience across the organisation.

This role is part time 16 hours per week (across Wednesday, Thursday and Friday), for a fixed term contract until 31st December 2026.

About You

The ideal candidate will hold a relevant degree or possess equivalent HR experience. They will also be Associate CIPD qualified or able to demonstrate equivalent relevant professional experience.

They will have proven HR generalist experience within a large and complex organisation, including managing complex employee relations casework. The successful candidate will be skilled at building effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders and will have experience of designing and delivering training, workshops or coaching sessions.

The ideal candidate will also have experience of contributing to and delivering HR projects, using their expertise to support organisational priorities and drive positive outcomes.

Benefits

• Generous annual leave entitlement of 38 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers
• Discounted onsite gym
• Holiday purchase
• Cycle to Work scheme
• A flexible working environment
• A commitment to personal and professional development

Key Contact

For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Laura Chadwick, HR Business Partner via  

For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via

Important Information

The University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers under the Skilled Worker route for this role; however, applications are welcome from candidates who are able to demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.

Please visit our  website  for more information.

The University of Derby is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our staff, students and children. At the University of Derby, safeguarding is everybody's concern.

Please find our Safeguarding pages including our Safeguarding Policy here .

Closing Date: 02 Aug 2026

Area: Management, Professional and Specialist

Salary: £38,285 to £45,738 per annum pro rata
(for exceptional performers, there is scope for further progression up to £52,605 per annum, pro rata)