Head of HR Shared Services

Kingston University is going places. We are passionate about enhancing our students' life and are about to launch our new university strategy based on design thinking that will prepare our students with the future skills and knowledge needed in the 21st Century's demanding workplace. We recognise that we need to continue the pace of change and to create and sustain an organisational culture that embeds new ways of working. A high-performing and customer-focused HR function is central to our future and achieving our ambitions. One of the most diverse universities in the country with a growing reputation in design and nursing and midwifery.

We are now looking for a new Head of HR Shared Services to join us to proactively provide leadership and strategic focus for the delivery of our strong performing Human Resources Shared Services. Working closely with the Executive Director of HR and in partnership with the Senior Leadership Team, you will lead and motivate our well-established Shared Services Team, delivering added valued services in the areas of Recruitment, Employee Lifecycle, Payroll, Pensions, Systems management and Management Information. This will involve collaboration with other functions, working particularly closely with our finance team as you will be managing the development and operation of our integrated HR/Payroll IT systems. With your expertise, you will ensure that HR processes, employee benefits and pensions are effectively communicated across the University, whilst your exacting standards and experience of operating in a high-volume environment will ensure HR related compliance is expertly managed.

You will have extensive work experience including team management in HR Operations and possess recognised professional certification (CIPD or equivalent skills and experience ). Successful candidates will have a proven background as a senior HR professional, though specific experience of Higher Education is not essential, and we would welcome applications from a variety of sector backgrounds. Experience of managing the whole employee lifecycle, together with a strong customer service ethic, a keen focus on process improvement and the ability to develop excellent client relationships is also required.

We have a brand new agile working space shared with other professional services staff. You won't have to be in the office every day, we anticipate the need to be on campus for around 3 days per week. Our campus is buzzing with students and staff and our award winning Town House building means this is an inspiring and inviting place to come to work.