About us
HR colleagues are continuing to work from home and can be contacted via email.
The Human Resources Department (HR) is responsible for the recruitment, retention and development of staff in line with the goals and objectives of the People Strategy and under direction of Governors, through the HR Strategy & Policy Committee. HR operates within the frameworks set out by National Agreements with the Trade Unions, the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA), employment law, best practice in human resource management and Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS). We strive to provide a highly professional service to all employees using our agreed College policies and procedures.
The department is split into three teams: Business Partnering & Organisational Development; Strategy, Policy, Equality & Diversity; and Operations. All teams are under the direction of Eileen Harvey, Director of HR. The services provided by these teams include: recruitment & selection; contracts of employment; induction; employment policy & procedures; committees & administration; advice & counselling; employee relations; annual appraisal; staff development; grading, pay and promotion; disciplinary & grievances and management information.
Human Resources team organogram (organisational structure chart)
- Eileen Harvey: Director of Human Resources
- Eleanor Schreiber: PA to the Director of Human Resources / Office Manager
Business Partnering & Organisational Development
- Paul Skiven-Baker: Deputy Director of Human Resources
- Neil O’Connor: Head of Organisational Development and Change
- Paul Mills: Organisational Development and Learning Advisor
- Kayleigh Coutts: Organisational Development Support Officer
- Gareth Stirrat: Principal HR Business Partner
- Gareth Williams and Ruby Blackett: Assistant HR Business Partners
- Yusuf Yusuf: Apprentice, HR Business Partnering Team
In line with helping managers manage their people, the HR Business Partners work strategically with the management teams to provide information, advice, guidance and coaching. The Assistant HR Business Partners are responsible for ensuring that Managers are following processes, procedure and good practices - this might include performance management guidelines for capability and managing sickness absence, as well as assisting the resolution of minor grievances and disciplinary issues.
The Organisational Development and Change team deliver a wide range of activities which support the on-going development of a productive and healthy working climate at Birkbeck. The team works closely with management teams and collaboratively with colleagues in HR in line with the College priorities and the People Strategy. These include the systematic collection of staff feedback through surveys and focus groups, and the coordination of plans for improvement, with the aim of supporting Birkbeck to achieve its mission and continue to be a great place to work.
Strategy, Policy, Equality & Diversity
- Hazel Lindley-Milton: Head of Strategy, Policy, Equality & Diversity
- Agata Grabowska: Data Analytics Manager
- Anita Jermyn and Natalie Pancheri: HR Project & Policy Leads
The Strategy, Policy, Equality & Diversity team priorities include leading and supporting the delivery of key HR projects to implement the People Strategy and other College strategies and action plans; developing, reviewing and updating HR policies; supporting the embedding of equality and diversity across the College; leading and delivering people data analysis and reporting as required by statutory duties and organisational needs; and ensuring accurate, consistent and accessible information for Birkbeck in respect of all elements of the service delivered by the HR department, including developing, improving and maintaining functionality of the HR Information Systems (HRIS).
Operations
- Chetna Kanji: Head of HR Operations and Systems
- Margaret MacKinnon: HR Operations Team Leader
- Mumtaz Shah: Senior HR Administrator
- Nida Bayoumi: HR Administrator
- Wendy Oyedele: HR Administrator
The Operations team provide administrative services, covering the employment life cycle: recruitment and selection, new appointments, leavers, absence (including family leave), changes in terms and conditions, contract extensions, promotion and pay awards. Working alongside HR colleagues, the Operations Team focuses on providing a streamlined transactional and administrative service to the College including the associated Business World operations.
Staff are asked to note that their first point of contact should be their designated Assistant HR Business Partners for their area who will liaise with the HR Operations Team as required. Areas of support are shown on the Human Resources team organogram.