Emma Steane

Emma Steane is HR Partner at University College.

What were you doing before you started your current role?
I have been working in HR since 2014. I started at Lady Margaret Hall, then I had a spell with Restore, the Oxfordshire-based mental health charity, and more recently I was HR Adviser at Mansfield College.

What brought you to Univ?
I heard that Univ was a good place to work and when the opportunity arose to apply for a job here, I jumped at the chance!

What does being HR partner involve?
The HR Partner role is very varied, working closely with the HR Manager and HR Coordinator on all aspects of the life cycle of employment: recruitment, induction, training etc. The HR Partner takes a lead on some projects, such as updating our section of the Intranet and working with Line Managers on risk assessments for the prevention of sexual harassment and sickness management. I see the role as a ‘bridge’ between HR and line managers and employees and a great way to get to know everyone who works at Univ.

What drew you to working in HR?
I actually fell into HR by mistake! I had been working mornings as a church administrator whilst my daughter was at nursery and was looking for a term-time only job to fit in with the children’s school holidays. It proved very difficult to find such a job. When I saw an advert on Daily Info for a 15 hour a week HR Administrator I thought I’d apply. Fortunately, the HR Manager at LMH took a punt on me, and I found that HR was a really good fit. I enjoy admin and like to help people so I feel very at home in HR.

What do you enjoy most about working at Univ?
It is lovely to work with friendly colleagues in beautiful surroundings with a free lunch!

As a HR professional, what’s your advice for students as they think about starting out in their careers?
Know yourself and try to find out what really motivates you in life as you think about a career. Don’t worry if you have a few false starts – any experience, even bad experience, is useful for finding out where your strengths lie and gives you those all-important transferable skills.

How do you relax after a busy day?
I enjoy playing the French horn in various amateur orchestras. I sing in our church choir and help run Sunday school. I love knitting or crocheting in front of the TV and sewing when I have time. We have a rather wild garden which I am constantly trying to tame, and I enjoy trying to do cryptic crosswords – the easy ones!

Describe Univ in three words.
Where I work!

Published: 15 July 2026

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