Chief People Officer

Jane Embley is Chief People Officer at Northumbria University. 

As Chief People Officer, Jane leads the University’s activities in relation to the recruitment, employment and development of University Employees.  Jane provides support and advice to the Vice-Chancellor and the Senior Management team on all employment-related matters.

Jane provides strategic leadership of a high quality, transformative People Service (Human Resources, Organisational Development, Equality Diversity and Inclusion, Health Safety and Sustainability) to ensure the successful delivery of the People Strategy and the University’s Vision and Strategy.

Jane leads the development of innovative and flexible contracting options and policies for the University and its subsidiaries, ensuring Northumbria continues to attract, develop, support and retain high quality colleagues.

Jane led on the implementation of Northumbria’s Values and Behaviours Framework; the development of a culture and environment where colleagues feel valued, respected and engaged, where they can work well and safely, and are developed and encouraged to work together to achieve their best and support others to succeed.

Jane works closely with the Chief Financial Officer to develop, innovate and deliver fit for purpose plans and corporate structures for ensuring that all University services are delivered in the most appropriate high quality and value for money manner.  

Working closely with the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Jane leads a constructive working relationship with the University’s recognised Trade Unions to enable constructive discussion and transformational change to support the University’s ambitions.

Jane is responsible for the development and implementation of the University’s HR Strategic Plan which underpins the University’s 2030 Strategy.  Her objective to build a multi-cultural and international community that supports the University’s global ambitions and where everyone is treated with equity, dignity and mutual respect, both supports and enables the 2030 Strategic Ambition ‘Promote fairness in a community where everyone feels they belong’.

Jane is a member of Remuneration Committee and People Committee, which are sub committees of the Board of Governors.

Jane achieved her MA in Human Resource Management at Newcastle University. Jane is a chartered member of the CIPD and a trained mediator.

Jane has a career of over 30 years in HR roles in the HE Sector. She joined Northumbria University in April 2008 and was previously the Director of Human Resources at the University of Sunderland.  She joined the University of Sunderland as Assistant Director in 2000 before becoming Director in 2004.  Earlier in her career, Jane worked in HR roles at Bucks New University and the Open University.

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