Interim HR Transformation Director, UK University

  • Interim
The following job is no longer available:
Interim HR Transformation Director, UK University
Reference:AQ3266
Specialisms:Education, Higher Education
Date posted:19th June 2025
Closing date:27th June 2025

Anderson Quigley is pleased to share a critical interim leadership opportunity today. The title is still being finalised, but we are looking for a Director level candidate with HE or Public Sector experience, with expertise within the following areas: workforce planning, shared services, outsourcing/insourcing, global employment and resourcing models, and people strategy.

Practicalities:

This interim role is ideally full-time, though 0.8 or 0.6 is possible. This is an initial 12-month FTC, with quarterly reviews and possible extension. Hybrid working is expected, with 2-3 days a week on-site in the South of England, varying with stakeholder needs. The salary on offer is c.£110–115k, with some discretionary flexibility beyond.

Overview:

This is a strategic, hands-on transformation brief focused on organisational structure and resourcing. Acting as a trusted adviser to the HRD and Executive Team, the consultant will help shape and implement a new employment and operating model aligned to the university’s broader ambitions. Initial priorities include assessing the current landscape and proposing strategic options, with a clear appraisal of shared services, insourcing, outsourcing, and international delivery models.

In the first six months, you will help define direction and shape a coherent people and employment strategy. Focus will then move to delivering costed, time-bound implementation plans to drive sustainable change across HR and other central functions.

For example, you may assess the viability of outsourcing (in locations such as Poland or India), develop shared services across regulated institutions (potentially using group / federated models), and explore collaborative talent acquisition across universities. While HR-led, the remit includes functions like Finance, Estates and IT, and requires close attention to compliance, TUPE and employment law.

Essential Criteria:

We are seeking a senior transformation leader with a HR focus, and a track record of delivering complex organisational change in regulated, multi-site environments – ideally within HE, the NHS, LAs, or the wider Public Sector.

Experience in mergers and acquisitions, group or federated structures, and setting up shared services is essential. International exposure to global resourcing and outsourced delivery is highly valued, along with strong knowledge of UK and international employment law, especially TUPE and change-related frameworks.

Next Steps:

The deadline for consideration is 27th June. To discuss further, please contact Eva Tomka via eva.tomka@andersonquigley.com ASAP.

Any questions?

If you have any questions about your application, please get in touch.

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