Deputy Head of Employment Policy and Advice

We are looking for an exceptional, talented individual who wants to work at a national level, joining UCEA’s team delivering our employment policy and advisory services to the UK’s universities.

The Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) is a membership organisation that supports and advises university HR teams and senior managers on employment policy and practice including pay, pensions and other broader workforce matters.

This is an exciting and unusual opportunity to have an impact across a wide reach to support our 172 members (between them employing around 400,000 people) during an extraordinary period of continuing change and challenge for UK higher education. The role is to work with colleagues in the small UCEA team, and with stakeholders and partners beyond, to deliver a range of high-quality services and support to member higher education (HE) employers. The post holder will be expected to operate effectively across a broad range of employment policy areas, with a high degree of autonomy and an ability to demonstrate sound and independent decision-making and prioritisation capability. They will also build member relationships and, acting on members’ behalf, represent them and respond on key employment issues facing the sector.

The post holder will have outstanding analytical and communication skills and the ability to prioritise and deliver a complex and demanding workload. The ability to write well is a key requirement as they will be responsible for writing regular updates, briefings and guidance as well as responding to members’ queries and preparing responses to various agencies and government. They will also develop their own profile through attending and presenting at UCEA meetings and events.

You are likely to have an HR background but should certainly be able to demonstrate knowledge of employment law and its application in practice. An understanding of a membership or trade organisation and/or some knowledge of the HE sector is desirable.

The post is offered as part-time, 0.8FTE or 0.9 FTE, and is based at UCEA’s offices in Bloomsbury, central London. During the coronavirus pandemic staff have largely been working remotely, but we anticipate introducing a new working model from September 2021 with a mixture of home and office working for all staff. 

If you think this role could be for you, please download the applicant pack and visit the UCEA website for further information.