Senior People Advisor - Maternity Cover
Oxford Science Enterprises
About OSE
Oxford Science Enterprises (OSE) is an independent, billion-pound investment company, created in 2015 to found, fund, and build transformational businesses via its unique partnership with the University of Oxford, the world's #1 research university. Whether it's transforming human health or advancing technological innovation that address challenges facing society today e.g. climate change or cutting edge developments in AI, OSE work with the brightest academic minds tackling the world's toughest challenges and guarantees unrivalled access to their scientific research. In collaboration with its global network of entrepreneurs and advisers, OSE goes well beyond funding to shape and nurture these complex ideas into successful businesses.
Actively focused on a core portfolio spanning three high-growth, high-impact sectors - Life Sciences, Health Tech, and Deep Tech - the company adopts a flexible, long-term investment approach, recognising the path from ground-breaking research to global markets takes time and resilience. To date, OSE has invested £700 million in over 80 ambitious companies built on Oxford science.
About the Role
The Senior People Advisor plays a critical role in delivering excellent People operations while supporting the delivery of projects that build a high-performance culture. This role is both hands-on and proactive, you’ll own and evolve our core people processes so they’re not just compliant, but intuitive, human and scalable. You’ll be our go to for day-to-day People queries, giving calm, clear and pragmatic advice to employees and managers alike. You'll also support wider people priorities such as engagement, learning and development and reporting.
We're in need of maternity cover for a fixed term period of 13 months, ideally starting on 8 January 2026 to receive a good handover. This role would suit someone wishing to work between 32 - 40 hours per week (40 hours being full time). The specific working pattern is flexible and we offer hybrid working to support our diversity aims- though some office attendance is crucial. You'll be joining a friendly and forward thinking team, including a People Director and People Apprentice.
About You
We're looking for someone who has a meticulous eye for detail, spotting errors in documents and processes, is highly organised and delivery focused, able to work towards multiple deadlines without dropping the ball, is by nature extremely proactive and works behind the scenes to ensure the smooth running of People operations. You should enjoy working autonomously in a fast paced role, and have the desire to collaborate effectively with your team and key stakeholders to meet shared goals. You will have at least 5 years of experience in a People/HR role, ideally within a fast-paced, small team or even in a standalone role, and will have proven experience owning people processes and continuously driving improvement. You will ideally hold a CIPD qualification at Level 5 and be familiar with various platforms such as BambooHR, Notion, Slack and/or SurveyMonkey.
Further information can be found in the Job Description.
About our Benefits
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rated to time of joining and hours)
- Private medical insurance after probation
- Life assurance
- Group income protection
- Workplace pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- EV leasing scheme
- Generous parental leave and gender policies
- Volunteering policy
- Mental Health support through confidential therapy and Wellbeing Champions
- Modern office building with excellent facilities and free snacks
- Regular team socials and initiatives to support OSE's culture and inclusion aims
If you wish to be considered for this role, submit your CV and a Cover Letter outlining how you meet the criteria within the Job Description. Please note, we cannot sponsor workers for this position so applicants must have the right to work in the UK.
This vacancy closes at noon on Wednesday 22 October but we will be reviewing applicants on a rolling basis, so early applications are encouraged. Initial screening interviews will take place on Wednesday 29th and Thursday 30th October.
Please contact Rachel McKee if you have any queries.