Full Time - 12 month Fixed Term Contract - High Wycombe

Salary - £44,746 - £56,353

Buckinghamshire New University is an ambitious, modern university that is always open to fresh ideas and thinking. We believe in the transformative power of education, and in doing the right thing by our students, people and local community. That’s why our BNU community is a special place to work and study, and where people who want to make a difference can contribute and succeed.

Our University’s DRIVE values and are at the heart of all that we do. We are united in being dynamic, responsible, inclusive, visionary and empowering to ensure that we provide the best experience to our learners and offer excellent service to our partners and to each other as colleagues. Our commitment to these values is unwavering and they are central to our mission.

We are looking for an experienced L&D professional to support internal development interventions at BNU. A key project will be the implementation of a new Learning and Performance platform, supporting use of the new system along with the culture change to encourage engagement with the new way of working. The role includes providing development for all levels of staff, both Academic and Professional Services members. It is a varied position with scope to bring in new ideas and initiatives that will drive the university in the right direction.

The ideal candidate has experience in change management/system implementation, apprenticeships, and leadership development.

What We Offer

a generous holiday entitlement (30 days per annum, plus bank holidays & closure days)
Hybrid working (dependent on business needs)
training & development support opportunities
contributory pension scheme
discounted gym membership for our on-site gym
a range of staff discounts with major retailers.

Please click here to see our wide range of benefits available for employees.

Please click here for our behavioural based interview question bank.

Please click here to view our employee handbook.

If you have the qualities and attributes representative of the University’s values and ambition, we would be delighted to hear from you.  

 

For further information about this role please contact Rachel Hemingway Rachel.Hemingway@bnu.ac.uk

 

All applications are to be made in full and online. 

BNU is proud to have a diverse community and a strong track record of diversity, equity and inclusion. We are committed to promoting an inclusive and diverse workplace and aim to continue building an environment where everyone thrives and can be themselves. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in BNU’s workforce. These include people from global majority backgrounds, people with disabilities, and LGBTQI+ people, particularly in more senior roles.

Please let us know if you require any adjustments or support during the recruitment process. We are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments that would enable you to perform to the best of your abilities in your role. Please reach out to People people@bnu.ac.uk if you have any specific needs or if you would like more information on how we can support you

We ensure that our interview/shortlisting Chairs complete the relevant e-learning and/or inclusive recruitment training

If you’re considering using AI to support your application, we encourage you to question the value it adds. The use of AI tools sometimes erodes authenticity and prevents us from being able to assess the real you. We strongly recommend you prepare your application using your own skills and knowledge and that AI is only used for the purpose of review.

Closing Date: 08/06/2026

Interview Date:  15/06/2026

 

If you are invited to interview for this role, you will need to provide evidence of your eligibility to work in the UK and if on a Visa, current visa and status. Sponsorship is dependent on the salary level of the position.

BNU is a Disability Confident employer and as such you will be given the opportunity to declare a disability as part of the application process.

Job Description

Job Title: People Development Partner (PDP) - maternity cover 12 months

Faculty/Directorate: People Team

Grade: H

Location: High Wycombe with travel to other campuses

Hours: 37

Responsible to: Chief People Officer

Responsible for: People Development Coordinator

Job Purpose

Provide learning and development solutions across the University to ensure delivery against BNU’s Talent Strategy, with a strong focus on implementing digital learning and performance tools. Drive strategic, cultural and measurable change to improve leadership and performance. Working closely with key stakeholders including the University Executive Team, College Deans, Directors, staff networks, and committees to develop sector leading learning and development tools and practice.

Main Duties & Responsibilities Of The Role

Drive the implementation of our incoming Learning and Performance platform for all staff; running sessions on system usage and the associated culture change to drive performance, engagement, and development at BNU.
Lead our internal apprenticeship schemes, partnering with providers to advertise apprenticeship programmes to internal staff, supporting and advising current learners, and being an advocate for apprenticeships as a development route.
Partner with specialist areas to provide advice, training and development sessions on subjects identified as priorities.
Deliver our quarterly employee induction, being an advocate of BNU and welcoming new starters.
Support the planning and delivery of our annual Staff Summit - a 2-day event in September which promotes lifelong learning for both Academic and Professional Services staff.
Advocate for our Care Leaver Programme - encouraging hiring managers to consider recruiting through this route, supporting the journey of the new starter and the manager to ensure a smooth onboarding and a supportive relationship.
Partner with external training providers to support ongoing development programmes and identify opportunities for new sessions.
LEP
Drive mandatory training requirements, monitor figures and advise on completion.
Such other duties temporarily or on a continuing basis, as may reasonably be required.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

A = Application T = Test I = Interview

Education, Qualifications & Training

Means of Testing

Evidence of Continued Professional Development

A

Chartered MCIPD or equivalent experience

A

Knowledge & Experience

Experience of developing and delivering learning solutions at all levels within a large, complex and unionised organisation

A/I

Skilled in the use of digital technology and embedding digital learning solutions to facilitate confidence in their use

A/I

Working within an HR or L&D team

AI

Experience of developing solutions that facilitate culture change particularly customer service

A/I

Expert knowledge of interventions to improve the employee experience

A/I

Skills

Digitally able and proficient in Microsoft tools

I

Adept at speaking up, sensitively responding to challenge and providing safe spaces to develop conversations, consciousness and solidarity

I

Designing and delivering digital learning solutions

I

Verbal and non-verbal communication and influencing skills internally and externally to small and large groups, at all levels

I

Special Requirements

May be required to travel across campuses with occasional evening events/conferences

I

BNU BEHAVIOURAL FRAMEWORK

Developing Self and Others - Showing commitment to own ongoing professional development. Supporting and encouraging others to develop their professional knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable them to reach their full potential

Finding solutions - Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically to analyse problems and to develop workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation.

Achieving results - Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.

Buckinghamshire New University

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People Development Partner (12 months maternity cover)