Senior Equality Diversity and Inclusion Business Partner

Locations: Human Resources (On-site)

At Birmingham City University (BCU), we’re committed to fostering a culture where everyone can thrive. We are expanding our EDI Unit to support BCU’s mission of creating and sharing knowledge for a better, more inclusive society. This is an exciting time to join us as a Senior Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Business Partner.

As part of a growing team, you will help shape BCU’s vision of being the most inclusive higher education employer, reflecting the diversity of our city. Reporting to the Head of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion, you’ll contribute to strategic planning, provide expert advice on EDI matters, lead a team of EDI Business Partners, and manage projects to progress the University’s EDI goals.

Key Responsibilities:

• Contribute to the development and delivery of BCU’s EDI strategy.
• Lead and manage EDI projects and initiatives to meet both strategic and operational equality objectives.
• Provide proactive support and expert advice on EDI matters to senior leaders and managers.
• Guide and lead other EDI professionals, ensuring best practices are implemented across the University.
• Conduct complex equality impact assessments, monitor, and track progress.
• Influence key stakeholders, delivering clear messages in a complex environment.
• Manage multiple workstreams, prioritising tasks and meeting deadlines independently.

Essential Requirements

The requirements of the role are detailed in the person specification section of the job description, but some key requirements are:

• In-depth knowledge of equality legislation and its application in Higher Education.
• Strong understanding of the challenges and context within the HE sector.
• Proven experience of implementing EDI policies and initiatives within a large, complex organisation.
• Experience leading EDI teams and providing support to senior managers and leaders.
• Skilled in conducting equality impact assessments and tracking EDI performance.
• Excellent communication and ambassadorial skills, able to influence and drive change.
• Self-motivated with the ability to manage multiple projects with minimal supervision.

What’s in it for you?

• Generous annual leave entitlement of 40 days (including bank holidays and closure periods) per annum pro rata.
• An attractive direct contribution pension scheme, or the option to retain LGPS for existing and previous members.
• Wellbeing advice and support through our Employee Assistance Programme.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Imogeen.Denton@bcu.ac.uk

Join us in making a difference at Birmingham City University. 

Birmingham City University is deeply committed to equality, diversity, and inclusivity at all levels in the organisation, and to addressing underrepresentation in our workforce to ensure we are truly representative of the community we serve. We welcome applications from applicants from all backgrounds and communities for this role, and particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic applicants.

The University is proudly Disability Confident. This means amongst other things that we commit to offering a guaranteed interview to disabled applicants who fully meet the essential criteria for each role.

Please download the Job Description below for further information:

Job Description

The appointed candidate will normally be employed through our subsidiary company BCU Support Services Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Birmingham City University. Appointees with prior LGPS membership who wish to enter the LGPS scheme will be able to do so and will be employed by Birmingham City University directly.

About Us

At the heart of our Strategy for 2030 and Beyond, it is our mission to enable our students to transform their lives and to achieve their potential. Through our education and research, and the roles our graduates go on to play in the world, we not only support individuals to transform their lives, but we also play a part in transforming society.

Located in the centre of the UK’s second city, we are a university with a long heritage of innovation and of making, dating back to our origins in 1843 when we were founded as the Birmingham Government School of Design.

Our heritage of making through innovation and its application through knowledge exchange, and of creative research and practice, today finds it expression in our STEAM agenda, in our research and enterprise, and in our commitment to challenge-based learning. Working across disciplines, and delivering impactful research and enterprise, interdisciplinarity is at the heart of the continuing transformation of our academic portfolio.

Apply Before: 08/04/2025, 23:59

Interview Date: Week commencing 21 April 2025