People Policy Manager

Location: Docklands Campus. Full‑time, fixed‑term contract for 12 months. Closing date: Monday 2 November 2026. Interview date: Tuesday 24 November 2026. Reference: 052S2026.

About the team

Employee Relations & Policy is a specialist centre of expertise in our People & Culture directorate. It brings together strategic policy development, employee relations, case management, organisational change and trade union partnership working. We aim to give every employee a positive and consistent experience, backed by clear, accessible and legally sound policies.

About the role

You will be the University’s lead authority on People Policy governance, assurance and compliance. You will make sure our policies are fit for purpose, consistently applied and properly embedded. A key focus over the next year will be preparing the Policy Framework for the Employment Rights Act 2025, aligned to the Government’s phased commencement timetable.

Responsibilities

• Own the People Policy Framework and lead the Policy Review Group, setting its forward plan and steering policies through review, consultation and approval
• Lead impact assessment, redrafting and consultation planning for the Employment Rights Act 2025
• Turn complex legal and regulatory requirements into clear, practical policies, toolkits, manager guides and FAQs
• Act as the escalation point for complex policy interpretation, including queries from outsourced service providers
• Develop compliance monitoring and reporting, and provide assurance to senior leaders and governance committees
• Prepare briefing papers, consultation documents and negotiation materials, and represent the University on the Joint Staff Consultation Negotiating Committee
• Work with the Global HR Manager to adapt UK policies for our global hubs
• Carry out Equality Impact Assessments so that our policies are fair and inclusive

Requirements

• Advanced CIPD qualification or equivalent experience
• Extensive experience of developing and managing HR policy in a complex organisation
• Track record of formal consultation and negotiation with recognised trade unions
• Up‑to‑date knowledge of UK employment law, including the Employment Rights Act 2025
• Excellent drafting skills and the ability to make complex issues simple
• The judgement to balance legal requirements with operational reality, and the confidence to hold a position when it matters
• Strong project and stakeholder management skills
• Experience in higher education, working with outsourced HR providers, or chairing cross‑functional working groups would be an advantage

Pay

£63,693 to £73,121 per annum inclusive of London Weighting.

Schedule

Full‑time, fixed‑term contract for 12 months.

Benefits

We offer a genuinely competitive salary and a range of excellent benefits. Explore the full benefits package: https://uel.ac.uk/benefits-professional-services-positions