Project of the Year
Project of the Year
ECC works with dozens of our members every year, supporting them in improving and developing their approaches across a range of HR activities including pay and grading, reward, equality, and performance management.
Our Project of the Year Award is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the success of our members, and to showcase innovative and effective practice within the education and related sectors.
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It’s also a great opportunity to encourage and motivate your team by preparing an entry – especially if you win!
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​Submissions for Project of the Year 2025 will open in the summer so watch this space for more information and contact your ECC Consultant if you want any early advice on preparing your application!
University of Leeds for their "review of Pay Framework"
This was an ambitious project to modernise their pay framework, which had become less competitive within the sector and the wider local/national markets. The well-executed programme of work involved a wide range of stakeholders across the university, with engagement of key parties at all levels. The judging panel were very impressed by the clear evidence of positive impact. The team dealt effectively with all the challenges that came their way and implemented the project successfully. A worthy winner!
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The panel were struck by the innovative approach taken by the team in their journey of discovery. The project demonstrated new thinking and learning, with a focused and practical approach to problem solving. Also impressive were the commitment to finding new ways of working which could have benefit outside the university itself. The project clearly showed the benefits of cross-organisational working, with HR and AI specialists working closely with MSc Data Science and AI and BSc Computer Science students. The direct involvement of students in the design and implementation of the project AI tool was a fantastic opportunity for them to use their knowledge from their programme on this research project.
Leeds Trinity for their "investigation into the potential of Artificial Intelligence in supporting Job Evaluation"
University of Suffolk for 'Rewarding Suffolk'
This was an ambitious and far-reaching project with evidence of positive impact. The University took every opportuntiy to tie in non-monetary benefits in the review and implementation, and made an early commitment to designing a solution that would bring the greatest benefit to the most staff and potential staff. The work was resounding success as staff recognised that the 'Rewarding Suffolk' project had pro-actively resonded to employee voices from their previous staff survey but also gone above and beyond expectations.
This project clearly showed the benefits of cross-organisational working, with Union involvement throughout. The judging panel were very impressed with the clear evidence of impact of the project which aimed to deliver benefits to the greatest number of employees, and with the link to the University's long term strategy and with the committment to a fair solution for all.
University of Hull for 'Review of Pay Band Structures'
