Strategic Lead for People Projects

Job Summary Strategic Lead for People Projects (Job Number: 26000876) – Grade 10, Fixed Term up to 12 months. Reports to Chief People Officer. Hybrid working with some campus presence. Role overview: Develop and deliver people projects under the University’s People Strategy with a focus on talent development, staffing planning, and organisational capability. Key Responsibilities Lead significant HR/people projects: design, discovery, delivery, embedding. Develop and implement strategies to plan current and future staffing needs and assess demand for skills. Collaborate with HROD Senior Management, strategic planning offices, and governance bodies to align initiatives with University strategy. Provide analytical support for decisions, develop performance metrics, and monitor progress. Manage project budgets, ensuring deliverables operate within financial parameters. Communicate progress and outcomes to senior committees, external bodies, and stakeholders. Lead or convene committees and workshops, influencing governance and policy. Drive continuous improvement and embed high‑performing workforce capabilities. Qualifications and Experience Degree level education or equivalent experience. Demonstrable track record of delivering high‑impact HR/people projects. Strong leadership experience in large organisations. Ability to analyse data to support decisions and solutions. Experience in senior presentation, committee management, and stakeholder engagement. Budget management experience. Experience in higher education senior HR role. Excellent knowledge of employment law, risk, and compliance. Strong interpersonal, negotiation, motivating and influencing skills. Ability to develop and implement communication strategies across stakeholder groups. Skills Strategic thinking and innovative problem solving. Proactive in seeking feedback and improvement. Ability to work autonomously and collaboratively. Ability to build productive relationships with diverse stakeholders. Equal Opportunity We welcome applications from candidates with disabilities, neurodiversity and long‑term health conditions. The University will provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and within the role where appropriate. #J-18808-Ljbffr Durham University