Main Purpose of the Job

The Norwich Bioscience Institutes Partnership (NBIP) has an exciting opportunity for an experienced HR Manager to join the busy Human Resources team.

The Norwich Bioscience Institutes (NBI) form a cluster of internationally renowned research organisations that work together to tackle the major challenges of the 21st Century – the sustainability of our environment, our food supplies and healthy ageing.

The HR team supports the John Innes Centre, the Quadram Institute Bioscience, Earlham Institute and the NBI Partnership. Each customer has different needs and the HR team support them in the delivery of their strategic plans.

The HR Manager will work closely with the Head of HR and the other HR Managers to deliver the HR strategy and to provide a customer focused HR support and advisory service. The successful candidate will be an experienced HR Manager, with a generalist HR background, who will proactively lead on key HR projects and provide advice on a wide range of HR issues.

The key responsibilities include to:

1. Deliver the HR strategy working with management to identify key HR issues and priorities and develop appropriate solutions.
2. Provide HR advice and support to managers and staff.
3. Lead, develop and deliver HR change initiatives in line with the HR plan.
4. Deliver a customer focused and efficient HR service and strive to continually improve the service.

Key Relationships

The role will report into the Head of HR.

Other key relationships:
• HR Team
• Staff at all levels across the institutes
• Other shared service teams

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Deliver the HR strategy working with management to identify key HR issues and priorities and develop appropriate solutions.

• Support the review and development of the HR Strategy and associated HR Action Plan. Key themes include: Leadership and Management; Organisational Development and Performance; Talent Management and Succession Planning; Reward and Recognition; Research Culture and Engagement; and Training and Development. 

• Develop and deliver initiatives to support the delivery of the HR strategy and a supportive culture where research, innovation and people can thrive.

• Support the Institute Assessment Exercise by leading, monitoring and recording activity that supports the Institute in delivering its objectives.

• Guide the employee relations strategy, including through maintaining an effective employee consultation forum.

• Manage the Staff Survey and work with stakeholders to identify areas for improvement to support employee engagement.

Provide HR advice and support to managers and staff.

• Provide HR advice and guidance on a range of HR issues across the full HR spectrum ensuring compliance with current legislation and pragmatic solutions are developed.

• Manage individual cases and provide appropriate advice to managers on the application of the Absence Policy and Disciplinary, Capability, and Grievance Procedures.

• In conjunction with the HR Advisors, carry out technical HR tasks as required e.g. job evaluation, salary determination, benchmarking, coaching, performance awards, etc.

Lead, develop and deliver HR change initiatives in line with the HR plan.

• In conjunction with the Head of HR and HR Managers agree annual improvement activities to develop and improve the service.

• Manage all aspects of restructuring and redundancies.

• Develop appropriate compliant HR policies and standards to ensure effective and equitable management of staff throughout the organisation and provide advice on such policies.

Deliver a customer focused and efficient HR service and strive to continually improve the service.

• To continually review HR systems and processes to ensure that they are effective in supporting excellent customer service and an efficient, cost-effective service.

• To work closely with the HR Managers and HR Advisors sharing knowledge, experience to enhance the capability of the team and provide a customer focused HR service.

• To work as agreed with the Head of HR, on other ad hoc initiatives.

• Support the provision of reports and monitoring of KPIs to ensure and efficient and effective HR service.

This job description sets out the main duties associated with this post, but it is not exhaustive. Other duties of a similar level/nature will be undertaken by HR Managers from time to time.

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

MCIPD Qualified

Essential

Degree or equivalent

Essential

Employment Law Qualification

Desirable

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

Significant knowledge of HR management

Essential

Project Management skills

Essential

Excellent understanding of employment law and employee relations

Essential

Significant casework experience, including disciplinary, grievance and sickness absence, redundancies

Essential

Proven ability to identify, design and implement HR systems and processes that support strategic business aims.

Essential

Proven working knowledge of Microsoft packages, such as Excel, Word, Powerpoint

Essential

Ability to handle different sets of terms and conditions

Essential

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Able to provide advice to managers on complex casework

Essential

Significant experience of working with senior management teams as an HR Business Partner/HR Manager and contributing to delivery of the HR strategy

Essential

Experience of working with unions/ staff representatives and/or employee forums

Essential

Project Management across the full HR spectrum, producing, monitoring and delivering plans within set deadlines

Essential

Experience of working with a Science or Higher Education sector

Desirable

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement

Importance

Establishes credibility and demonstrates excellent communication and presentation skills

Essential

Excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to build relationships internally and network externally with key stakeholders

Essential

Confidently works with and influences a wide variety of stakeholders, both internal and external

Essential

Ability to produce clear and concise reports to inform decision making

Essential

Demonstrates drive and ability to work on own initiative

Essential

A strong team player who is committed to working collaboratively, shares best practice and contributes to the overall success of the HR team

Essential

Positive, pro-active and committed to delivering to deadlines

Essential

Additional Requirements

Requirement

Importance

Attention to detail

Essential

Promotes equality and values diversity

Essential

Commercial focus

Essential

Able to present a positive image of self and the Partnership

Essential

Willingness to work outside normal working hours when required

Essential

Ability to maintain confidentiality and security of information where appropriate

Essential

NBI Partnership

The NBI Partnership provides non-scientific services to the John Innes Centre (JIC), Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB), Earlham Institute (EI) and The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL). All of these organisations carry out scientific research funded by the UK Government, European Union, Charitable and Industrial Sponsors. The Partnership employs around 140 staff to cater for the needs of approximately 1100 Research Staff, Students and Visiting Scientists who are all located in close proximity on the Norwich Research Park.

The John Innes Centre, Quadram Institute Bioscience, the Earlham Institute and The Sainsbury Laboratory are registered charities (No’s 223852, 1058499, 1136213 and 106550) and are Equal Opportunity Employers.

For more information about working at NBI Partnership, please click here.

Department

Human Resources

Living in Norfolk

• Visit Norfolk
• Schools in Norfolk
• Childcare in Norfolk

HR Manager (part-time)

The Norwich Bioscience Institutes Partnership (NBIP) has an exciting opportunity for an experienced HR Manager to join the busy Human Resources team.

Background:

The Norwich Bioscience Institutes (NBI) carry out internationally renowned scientific research and training in the fields of plant, microbial, food and genome research and are based at the Norwich Research Park on the outskirts of Norwich.

The HR team supports the John Innes Centre, the Quadram Institute Bioscience, the Earlham Institute and the NBI Partnership. Each customer has different needs and the HR team support them in the delivery of their strategic plans by providing a customer focused HR service and supporting organisational work.

The role:

The HR Manager will work closely with the Head of HR and HR Managers on the full spectrum of HR activity including senior recruitment, performance management, HR casework and employee relations, policy and procedures, change management and continuous improvement.

The ideal candidate:

The successful candidate will be an experienced and highly capable HR Manager/Business Partner with a generalist HR background. They will be used to providing advice on a wide range of HR issues and casework, and be able to proactively lead key HR projects. An excellent understanding of employment law and employee relations and the ability to develop pragmatic, innovative solutions to complex problems, will be key in the role.   

Additional information:

Salary on appointment will be within the range £45,450 to £56,750 pro-rata, per annum depending on qualifications and experience. This part-time role (three days per week) is offered on a fixed-term basis until 31 March 2026. 

The NBI Partnership is an equal opportunities and disability confident employer. We are committed to attracting, recruiting and retaining the best talent, and welcome all applications.

The closing date for applications will be 5 January 2026. 

We reserve the right to close the advert prior to the closing date stated should we receive a high volume of applications. It is therefore advisable that you submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.