Head of Human Resources job at Medical Research Council (MRC UK) | Apply Now

Strategic HR leadership;

• Develop and implement HR strategies, plans and initiatives that align with the Unit’s key objectives;

• Advise senior management on effective workforce planning and organizational development;

• Promote a culture of excellence, inclusion and continuous improvement;

• Working with Unit leadership, develop and drive initiatives to enhance employee engagement, motivation and retention;

• Ensure all HR policies and practices align with the Unit’s core values, ethical standards, and agreed behaviors;

• Develop and embed a service oriented and business partnering approach within the HR department; and,

• Ensure all HR systems, processes and policies are robust, legally complaint, relevant and fit-for-purpose.

Recruitment and organizational development;

• Oversee the recruitment, selection and onboarding processes to support the attraction of highly skilled and talented individuals to the Unit;

• Ensure recruitment practices support and promote equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in line with the Unit’s agreed EDI principles;

• Develop workforce planning approaches that align with the Unit’s research and operational needs;

• Establish and maintain performance management systems that assess and support improvement in efficiency and effectiveness;

• Working with Unit leadership, ensure performance appraisals are conducted across the Unit in line with the Unit’s schedule; and,

• Work with the Unit’s Training department to implement activities that facilitate staff development and capacity-building.

Employee relations and compliance;

• Ensure compliance with local and (where applicable) international employment laws and regulations, employment standards and Unit policies, acting as an expert advisor;

• Ensuring suitable policies and guidance are in place for the Unit to address employee grievances and workplace conflicts, including mediation support, working closely with line managers;

• Foster a positive and inclusive work environment;

• Encourage adherence to ethical standards and agreed behaviors and Unit principles in all HR-related matters; and,

• Ensure that there are effective staff communication and engagement mechanisms in place for HR and related matters.

Compensation and benefits management;

• Oversee the development and periodic review of competitive compensation structures;

• Manage employee benefits and ensure they align with appropriately benchmarked standards; and,

• Regularly review and update HR policies on remuneration, leave, allowances and other staff benefits.

HR operations and data management; –

• Lead and manage the HR Department, ensuring that the services provided meet the needs of the Unit and are flexible in adapting to changing internal and external environments;

• Maintain accurate HR records and ensure data protection compliance;

• Analyse and utilise HR data to inform the Unit’s key decision-making processes and strategic planning; and,

• Implement, maintain and enhance HR information systems to streamline processes.

Service Delivery;

• It is important that the HR team’s services are delivered in a staff centered manner. This post-holder ensures the department is;

• Responsive;

• Promptly communicating to users new developments such as new services, changes to services etc.;

• Pro-actively resolving issues;

• Upholding high standards of professionalism;

• Take responsibility for the overall quality of the service delivery; and,

• Lead the team’s self-assessment process supporting the team in setting targets and agreeing performance indicators for improvement.

Financial Management;

• Managing the HR department budget, including forecasting staff and non-staff costs on an annual basis;

• Managing/updating the payroll ensuring the correct projects are charged for personnel costs; and,

• Approval of overtime and on-call allowances for staff in line with Unit policy.

Line Management;

• The post holder is responsible for managing a dynamic multidisciplinary team. The Head of HR ensures;

• Staff are enabled to perform their assigned duties as expected;

• Staff professional development is nurtured in line with the Unit’s and LSHTM’s capacity building goals;

• There is a positive and supportive work environment in the department;

• Staff feel included and valued and their professional feedback and proposals are heard and considered;

• Staff expectations are clearly communicated, and staff performance is regularly monitored; and,

• Conflicts are resolved promptly and decisively.

LSHTM Integration

• The post-holder is expected to support the integration of the Unit and LSHTM processes and procedures by;

• Providing data, updates and information to the Director of Human Resources in London and other London-based colleagues as needed;

• Engage positively, constructively and collaboratively with departments across all LSHTM locations including the sister Unit in The Gambia, sharing knowledge, documents and experiences as needed; and,

• Support harmonization of HR Policies and procedures across LSHTM sites where applicable.