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- Tasks: Lead organisational design and transformation strategies to align with the university's 2035 goals.
- Company: Join a leading university committed to excellence in people services and organisational effectiveness.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, pension schemes, well-being programmes, and exclusive staff discounts.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team shaping the future of education and enhancing people's experiences.
- Qualifications: Degree in HR, Change or Organisational Design; CIPD accreditation preferred.
- Other info: Ideal for candidates with experience in organisational development and change management.
The predicted salary is between 51111 - 59000 £ per year.
Job Description
Job Title: Head of Organisational Design and People Transformation
Location: Oxford Road, Manchester
Salary: £59,139 to £70,579 per annum, dependent on experience
Job Type: Permanent, Full Time (1 FTE)
Closing Date: 29/07/2025
The University are seeking to appoint a dynamic and experienced Head of Organisational Design and People Transformation to join their Organisational Effectiveness and Culture Team.
This is an exciting team to join us at the University as we develop our ambitious 2035 strategy and the enabling professional services vision. Our role in the People Directorate is more critical than ever as we strive for excellence in our delivery of core people services and also to build new centre of expertise capabilities that will support the University and its people through the changes needed to shape the organisation and to deliver our 2035 strategic priorities.
The Head of Organisational Design and People Transformation is a critical leadership role sitting within the newly created Organisational Effectiveness and Culture centre of expertise. The role holder will work closely with the Head of Workforce Strategy, Talent & Succession, Head of Performance and Associate Director of People Engagement, Experience and Culture as well as all other teams across the People Directorate. The overall purpose of the OE & Culture team's goal is to develop the strategies, approach, frameworks and plan to enable the University to delivery successfully to 2035 strategic priorities.
The purpose of the role is to shape and implement the strategies required for organisational transformation and growth, building and implementing the tools, frameworks and processes to facilitate the alignment of strategy, structure, skills, ways of working and culture to optimise the effectiveness of the university.
The role holder, leading a small team, will work closely with all other People CoEs, People Services, Partnering Teams and other directorates to ensure that organisational design and people transformation strategies and processes are built around the people experience, equity and inclusion, as well as the university's strategic goals. This is a role with a broad remit, partnering across our business to assess the current organisation in the context of our strategy and lead the creation and delivery of a future state for people capability and organisational structure.
Person Specification:
- Strong cultural awareness with knowledge of how to embed performance, engagement, experience, culture and talent into significant programmes of design and change.
- Demonstrably successful experience in organisational design, operating model and service de-livery design and it's translation into a detailed roadmap for delivery.
- Experience of coaching and guiding senior leaderships teams in the scope, design and delivery or organisational design and people change.
- Successful experience in developing and delivery significant organisational programmes of change with a people impact, with demonstrable experience of identifying, designing and delivering engaging and equitable people change journeys.
- A commercially focused and strategic thinker who can see the big picture and has proven experience of translating organisational strategic priorities into tangible people goals and out-comes.
- Strong project management skills with the ability to oversee multiple initiatives within one single delivery roadmap and to deliver results on time and within budget.
- Strong people leadership skills.
- Excellence communication, collaboration and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engagement and influence a variety of stakeholders include senior leadership teams, trade unions and academic and PS colleagues.
- Degree level HR, Change or Organisational Design qualification
- Preferably CIPD Accredited.
As an ideal candidate you will have:
- Knowledge of HE Sector and internal and external factors influencing universities is preferred but not essential.
As one of the leading Universities our employees enjoy exclusive access to excellent benefits and schemes including:
- Generous annual leave allowance, including Christmas/New Year closure
- Pension scheme membership to provide benefits for you and your family
- Well-being programme with counselling, fitness and leading sports facilities
- Learning and development opportunities
- Season ticket loans for public transport
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Workplace nursery scheme
- Staff recognition schemes
- Staff discounts on a range of products and services including travel and high street savings
Please click APPLY to be redirected to our website to complete an application form.
Candidates with the experience or relevant job titles of; Head of Organizational Development and Design, Director of Organizational Development, Head of Change Management, Transformation Director, Organizational Development Manager, Organizational Development Specialist, may also be considered for this role.
Head of Organisational Design and People Transformation employer: BluetownOnline
Contact Detail:
BluetownOnline Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Organisational Design and People Transformation
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the University’s 2035 strategy. Understanding their goals will help you articulate how your experience in organisational design and people transformation aligns with their vision during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current employees in the Organisational Effectiveness and Culture Team. Engaging with them can provide insights into the team dynamics and expectations, which can be invaluable when you’re discussing your fit for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of your past successes in leading organisational change. Highlighting measurable outcomes from previous roles will demonstrate your capability to deliver on the university's strategic priorities.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your understanding of equity and inclusion in your approach to people transformation. The university values these principles, so be ready to discuss how you've integrated them into your previous projects.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Organisational Design and People Transformation
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before you start writing your application, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Head of Organisational Design and People Transformation role. Tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the job description.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should not only express your enthusiasm for the position but also demonstrate your understanding of the university's 2035 strategy. Use specific examples from your past experiences that showcase your skills in organisational design and people transformation.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV, focus on your previous roles that involved organisational design, change management, and leadership. Use bullet points to clearly outline your achievements and how they relate to the key responsibilities mentioned in the job description.
Proofread and Edit: Before submitting your application, take the time to proofread your documents. Check for any spelling or grammatical errors, and ensure that your formatting is consistent. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.
How to prepare for a job interview at BluetownOnline
✨Understand the University’s 2035 Strategy
Familiarise yourself with the University’s ambitious 2035 strategy. Be prepared to discuss how your experience in organisational design and people transformation can directly contribute to achieving these strategic priorities.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
Highlight your previous leadership roles, especially those involving coaching senior teams. Prepare examples of how you have successfully guided teams through organisational change and the impact it had on performance and culture.
✨Demonstrate Cultural Awareness
Be ready to discuss your understanding of cultural awareness and how it plays a role in embedding performance and engagement within an organisation. Share specific instances where you have successfully implemented equitable people change journeys.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement Scenarios
Think about how you would engage and influence various stakeholders, including senior leadership and trade unions. Prepare scenarios or past experiences that demonstrate your communication and collaboration skills in complex environments.
