The University of West London (UWL) is one of the UK’s fastest-rising universities, driven by a bold strategic plan, Impact 2028, which champions lifelong learning, impactful research, inclusion, sustainability, and digital innovation. As a values-led institution, we are proud of our sector-leading student satisfaction, widening participation, and transformative outcomes. Our staff are central to this success - creating an environment where students thrive and futures are shaped.
To help realise our ambitions, we are seeking a dynamic and strategic Director of HR and Organisational Development to lead our people function and shape the future of our workforce.
The Role
This is a senior leadership position reporting to the Pro Vice-Chancellor (People and Digital) and sitting on the Senior Management Group. You will lead a high-performing HR team and be responsible for delivering our People Strategy, aligned with Impact 2028. Your work will directly influence the staff experience, which in turn shapes the student journey and contributes to our reputation for excellence.
You will:
- Lead and inspire a multidisciplinary HR team across HR Operations, Business Partnering (including Employee Relations), Systems & Data and Learning & OD
- Drive organisational development and cultural transformation, fostering a high-performing, inclusive, and values-led environment.
- Collaborate with senior leaders to embed a culture of wellbeing, belonging, and leadership excellence.
- Represent UWL nationally on HR matters including pay and pensions and maintain strong relationships with Trade Unions and external HR networks.
- Champion data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement across all HR functions.
About You
You will be a confident, visible, and collaborative leader who thrives in a fast-paced, delivery-focused environment. You will bring:
- Extensive experience in strategic HR leadership within a large, complex, and ideally unionised organisation.
- Proven ability to design and implement talent strategies that support long-term organisational goals and enhance leadership and workforce capability.
- Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to diagnose cultural challenges and influence senior stakeholders with data-driven insights.
- Exceptional relationship-building and influencing skills, with a track record of leading diverse teams and delivering change in dynamic environments.
- A deep commitment to values-led leadership, with a passion for creating inclusive, high-performing cultures that reflect UWL’s mission and make a lasting impact on both staff and students.
- Sector knowledge of Higher Education is highly desirable, along with a proactive, can-do attitude and a strong focus on getting things done and driving progress.
Joining UWL means becoming part of a vibrant, inclusive community that’s shaping the future of education. You’ll work alongside passionate colleagues in a university that celebrates diversity, champions innovation, and puts people at the heart of everything it does. If you’re ready to help us build a workforce that empowers every student to succeed, we’d love to hear from you.
UWL is working in partnership with Hays HR to identify the right person for this role.
To apply, please visit our dedicated recruitment site at https://webmicrosites.hays.co.uk/web/uwl and upload your CV, or contact Rachel Paul (rachel.paul@hays.com, 020 7259 8712) or Laura Bennallack (laura.bennallack@hays.com / 0333 010 5299) for an informal discussion.