Organisational Development and Workforce Training Partner - CMB2354e in Carlisle

This is an exciting time to join Cumberland Council’s Organisational Development and Training (OD&T) team as the organisation continues its transformation journey. This role offers an excellent opportunity to build on your career within organisational development. We are looking for someone who embraces the values of Cumberland Council and can demonstrate these at interview. The OD&T team plays a central role in shaping the culture, capability and confidence of our workforce. We work across the organisation to support the council’s ambition to create a healthy, inclusive and high-performing workplace where people feel valued, supported and able to thrive. We provide expert support and advice on individual, team and organisational development, working in close partnership with HR colleagues, managers, and services to respond to workforce development needs.

This role will focus on career development, talent management and workforce planning, supporting individuals and teams to build skills, confidence and capability to meet their career aspirations and the council’s future workforce needs. This is also an opportunity to take a lead role in designing and delivering a high-impact programme of wellbeing and equality training. You will support the delivery of our “Being a Cumberland Manager” development offer and help to embed a coaching approach across the council. This is a new role within the team, created to strengthen our focus on building a healthy, inclusive culture and a future‑ready workforce. The postholder will equip managers with the skills, knowledge and confidence to lead with compassion, embed our values, and create psychologically safe environments where all colleagues can thrive.

The ideal candidate will have experience in designing approaches to support career development, talent identification and progression, as well as workforce planning to align capability and capacity with service needs. You will have essential experience in designing, delivering and supporting organisational development interventions, including workplace wellbeing and equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) initiatives. A passion for supporting others and adopting a strengths-based, evidence-led approach is key. The role requires proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly MS Teams and PowerPoint. Building strong working relationships both within the team and with the services you support is essential. The ability to engage with, and develop relationships across, management and senior leadership is key to success in this role. You will provide professional advice on learning interventions and development opportunities, seeking innovative ways to deliver training through a range of methods. You will also need to be flexible and able to adapt to changing priorities. If you are solution‑focused, proactive, and bring an inventive approach, this could be the role for you.

We’re looking for individuals who embody our organisation's core values: ambitious, collaborative, compassionate, empowering, and innovative. We believe in the power of these values to drive positive change, deliver excellent public services and shape a better future for our communities. We’re also about potential over perfection and we can help you grow in the role and thrive in your career.

For an informal conversation about the role or to find out more, please contact Sarah Fowler at sarah.fowler@cumberland.gov.uk.

We offer a guaranteed interview to the following applicants as long as your application can demonstrate you meet the essential criteria for the role:

• Those who consider themselves disabled as defined by the Equality Act 2010
• Those in care or who have left care and are aged 24 and under
• Those who identify as a member of the British Armed Forces community (service leavers, veterans, their partners or spouses, reservists, cadets).

We’re dedicated to enhancing the diversity of our workforce and we encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds. That’s why we’re a proud Disability Confident Leader and also an Age Friendly Employer – to provide opportunities for everyone to thrive. If you need any reasonable adjustments to participate in the recruitment process, please let either the hiring manager or our Resourcing Team know by emailing Resourcing@Cumberland.gov.uk. While adjustments aren’t always guaranteed, we’ll always listen and we’ll try our best to accommodate your needs.

Easily apply by submitting your CV and answering a few short questions. Closing date: 14th June 2026. Interview date: TBC. Please note this role may close early subject to demand. If you’re interested in applying, you should apply well before the advised closing date. We cannot accept applications once the role has closed.