Senior HR Business Partner; Grade M1 Job Edinburgh area,City of Edinburgh Scotland UK,HR/Recruitment

Position: Senior HR Business Partner (Grade M1)
Location: City of Edinburgh

Senior HR Business Partner (Grade M1)

Final date to receive applications: 5 July 2026

Department: Corporate Services

Employment Type: Permanent
- Full Time

Location: Edinburgh
- Hybrid

Compensation: Grade M1 £ 66,924 - £78,930. Civil Service Pension with Employer Contribution of 28.97%. Flexible Working Hours. Hybrid Working.

Our ambition is for Scotland to be the best place in the world to learn, educate, research and innovate, so that all of our nation can flourish.

Our purpose is to create and sustain a world-leading system of tertiary education, research and innovation that changes lives for the better, enriches society and supports sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

The purpose of the role is to lead the design, implementation and ongoing delivery of a modern HR business partnering and advisory model and support organisational change and transformation across our Directorate teams.

The postholder will play a significant role as we evolve our HR service to support significant transformation, including the TUPE transfer of a large group of employees from Skills Development Scotland in April 2027 as part of the public services reform agenda. This is an exciting time to join the organisation as an HR professional and play an important role in shaping the future design, ways of working and culture of the new organisation.

Virtual interviews will take place on 13 July (via teams).

Key Responsibilities

Reporting to the Deputy Director, lead the design, implementation and ongoing delivery of a modern HR business partnering and advisory model aligned to SFC’s corporate strategy, values and objectives.

Lead the HR business partnering team to provide a service of trusted support to Directors, senior leaders and managers: offering expert and evidence-based advice support and guidance on all aspects of people management, organisational development, performance and workforce planning.

Lead the HR business partnering team to provide professional advice as required on employee relations matters, fostering a positive and inclusive work environment, taking account of advice and support from other HR team leads where appropriate, and ensuring consistency with SFC’s established policies and legal obligations.

Partner with Directors and their leadership teams to drive and support systemic organisational change initiatives, in collaboration with colleagues from within the People & Transformation team and the wider Corporate Services directorate. This includes collaborating to identify talent needs, develop succession plans, and implement effective recruitment practice, workforce planning, retention, and development approaches within their business areas.

Build effective working relationships across the organisation, representing SFC’s interests and values in all interactions.

Role-model an adaptable approach to prioritisation to enable delivery and to support individuals and teams to find solutions in the context of shifting needs and demands.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

It is important through your CV / Cover Letter that you give evidence of proven experience of each of the following essential criteria:

ESSENTIAL SKILLS, QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Proven track record of effective delivery in a senior HR business partner role, ideally within the public sector or an organisation going through significant change.
Demonstrable track record of designing and implementing HR business partnering models.
Good working knowledge and understanding of employment law, HR best practice, and current trends in people management.
Experience of leading HR teams in the context of organisational change with a proactive, solutions-oriented and innovative approach. Partnering and seeking the involvement of others and maintaining effective communications.
Commitment to role-model the organisation’s values and foster an environment which supports inclusion and belonging. Working cohesively and collaboratively with senior leaders and their teams to do the same.
Excellent communication, interpersonal and influencing skills, with the ability to build trust and credibility at all levels of the organisation.
Ability to take an analytical…