People Strategy project

Find information and updates about the project

Page updated: 5 December 2024

A People Strategy project has been established to use data and feedback from the 2023 CIPD People Impact Survey, the Staff Experience Survey and staff consultations across the University to produce a new three-year People Strategy aimed to launch in Hilary Term 2025 as one of the pillars of the new University Strategic Plan.

The People Strategy aims to bring together several ongoing projects and initiatives that will support our people and align with the University’s goals.

The strategy is for everyone at the University of Oxford. It reflects our collective efforts to create an outstanding work environment, leveraging the University’s strengths while promoting inclusion and wellbeing.

Key information

The project will:

  • Identify key themes; 
  • Agree what People priorities should be included in the three-year People Strategy; 
  • Communicate progress to central and divisional HR colleagues; 
  • Identify and consult with key stakeholders both centrally and divisionally; and
  • Develop a governance structure and delivery plan for the full strategy over the next three years

A paper detailing the full strategy was delivered to People Committee in September 2024 and was fully endorsed. The strategy will go through a final round of Divisional consultation during Michaelmas term 2024 before being delivered to Council in December 2024 for final approval.

Delivery on the three year People Strategy will begin in the 2024-25 academic year.

The full timeline of activity is summarised below.

Month Activity
January 2023

CIPD People Impact Tool

  • Survey undertaken to gain insight into the University’s people services and assess them against the CIPD benchmark.
  • Feedback gathered from key stakeholders across the organisation.
Spring 2023

Pay & Conditions

  • Comprehensive review of the total reward and benefits offer across all staff groups.

2023 Staff Experience Survey

  • 15,481 staff invited to provide feedback.
July 2023

Formation of the People Strategy Project Team 

  • Representatives from all Divisions come together to form the project team.
  • Terms of reference drafted.

July - September 2023

Analysis and further insights gathered

  • Staff Experience Survey and CIPD People Impact Survey results are analysed.
  • Project Team consulted and further insights gathered.
  • Draft enablers, deliverables and actions are identified.
October 2023 Draft People Strategy presented
  • An initial draft of the strategy is presented to People Committee for approval.
November 2023 - May 2024 Consultation
  • The draft strategy is shared with the following groups and committees for feedback: 
    • University HR Forum
    • College HR Forum
    • Divisional HR Briefings
    • Trade Unions
    • Collegiate University Leaders Induction Programme
    • MPLS DAMPS meeting
    • Technical staff

March - April 2024

Academic Sponsor appointed

  • Professor Diego Sánchez-Ancochea appointed Academic Sponsor

All staff invited to participate in focus groups

  • Article published in the University Bulletin inviting staff to join the People Strategy focus groups

Draft developed

  • The strategy is refined based on staff feedback and external factors.

May - June 2024

 Staff consultation 
  • Focus groups held comprising staff from across the Collegiate University. 
  • Staff who were unable to attend a focus group invited to share their feedback via an online form.
  • Research groups and the Conference of Colleges consulted.
  • A report on the analysis of insights gathered in the focus groups and the online form will be completed at the end of June 2024.
July - August 2024
  • Strategy revised following feedback from staff consultation.
  • Development of a governance structure and implementation plan.
  • Formation of a Project Delivery Group to coordinate and deliver the implementation plan.
  • Development of a communications strategy.

 
September – December 2024
  • Strategy presented to People Committee
  • Final consultation round with Divisional Boards and other stakeholder
  • Strategy presented to Council for final approval
January – March 2025
  • Governance structure and delivery plan determined
  • Launch of People Strategy 
  • Implementation of strategy begins

The following outcomes have been identified as the key themes of the People Strategy:

Outcome 1: A great place to work for all

The University roots its actions in inclusion, sustainability and the pursuit of excellence. We aim for these principles to be reflected throughout each and every employee’s experience of working with us.

Outcome 2: Enabling talent to thrive 

We want to inspire the brightest minds to come to Oxford to teach, learn, work and deliver world-leading research. That means a renewed focus on attracting and retaining the best talent, creating the highest quality experience for candidates and employees. By investing in developing our leadership and management capabilities, we will create an environment where everyone is able to grow and reach their full potential. 

Outcome 3: High-quality People services supporting academic delivery 

Embracing the collective ambition of Professional Services Together, we will achieve better collaboration and improved delivery across the People professions, so that we continue to develop as an effective strategic partner to the University. 

The People Strategy project team is partnering with a broad group of stakeholders across the University to deliver on its objectives. These include the following project groups, programmes and functions:

  • Academic Career and Reward Framework 
  • Collegiate University EDI Strategic Plan
  • Concordat for Researcher Development
  • Digital Transformation Programme
  • EveryDaySafe
  • HR Systems
  • Pay and Conditions review
  • People and Finance Service Transformation
  • People and Organisational Development
  • Professional Services Together
  • Strategic Review of Professional Services 
  • Recruitment Team
  • Researcher Hub
  • Thriving at Oxford

Contact us

Project team: peoplestrategy@admin.ox.ac.uk 

Jo Mason, Project Lead: joanne.mason@admin.ox.ac.uk