At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead organisational development and drive cultural transformation in a fast-paced retail environment.
- Company: Dunelm, a beloved homewares retailer with a family-oriented culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth opportunities, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team focused on making a real impact in the retail sector.
- Why this job: Shape the future of Dunelm by enhancing leadership and fostering a high-performance culture.
- Qualifications: Significant experience in organisational development within retail and strong stakeholder management skills.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 66000 £ per year.
People love Dunelm. That statement is true for the millions of Customers, the ‘savvy home lovers’ who love the broad range of quality, value for money homewares products, the unique in-store and online experience, and Dunelm’s distinctive local feel. It is also true for the 12,000 Colleagues who benefit from an ambitious, entrepreneurial, family-oriented culture and challenger-brand mentality which combine to create an environment that is conducive to making things happen fast. And it’s also true for Investors who have seen strong and consistent returns to date and are excited by the leadership team’s calibre and vision, and the strength of Dunelm’s multi-channel offering.
At Dunelm, our People & Communications function is a high‑impact, commercially focused strategic engine, turning organisational goals into people and communication plans that unlock performance, engagement and long‑term success, with colleagues and customers at the heart. We work collaboratively to shape the conditions for Dunelm to thrive — attracting and developing exceptional talent, strengthening leadership capability, building future skills and fostering a culture where every colleague can do their best work. Our work is varied and meaningful: partnering with business teams to enable organisational performance through people, and anticipating future workforce needs. Developing modern people policies and practices, championing wellbeing and inclusion, and aligning colleagues around our shared values.
The Head of Organisational Development will shape and deliver Dunelm’s approach to organisational effectiveness, leadership, culture, and people change across a fast‑paced, customer‑facing retail environment. The role holder will ensure the business is structured, skilled, and enabled to deliver against the strategy. They will collaborate with the rest of the People & Communications team and partner closely with senior leaders to drive capability, optimise organisation design, and embed a high‑performance, customer‑centric culture. An experienced OD leader who understands the realities of a fast‑paced retail environment. You combine strategic thinking with hands‑on delivery and can translate organisational theory into practical solutions that work on the ‘shop floor’ as well as in the support centre.
Key Responsibilities:
- Organisation Design & Operating Model
- Lead organisation design activity as needed across all business areas
- Ensure the operating model supports delivery of strategic plan
- Optimise organisation efficiency through spans and layers, structures, clear accountabilities and governance frameworks and forums
- Embed clear roles, accountabilities, and decision‑making across teams
- Leadership Capability
- Define and deliver leadership capability strategy
- Embed consistent leadership expectations that drive performance, engagement, and customer outcomes
- Partner with HRBPs to identify capability gaps and design targeted interventions
- Collaborate with other People & Comms centres of expertise to reinforce and sustain leadership capability levels
- Culture
- Shape and embed a customer obsessed, high‑performance and inclusive culture
- Drive consistency of colleague experience across all locations
- Align behaviours with brand values and customer expectations
- Change & Transformation
- Lead organisational and cultural aspects of transformation, ensuring people plans enable delivery of strategic outcomes
- Develop a single way of change and change tool kit that drives improved adoption and engagement
- Equip leaders to manage frequent operational change brilliantly
- Future Workforce Planning
- Lead strategic workforce planning to define the workforce of the future, considering future skills, org shape and size
- Ensure the organisation has the right people, in the right place, at the right time
- Improve productivity and workforce flexibility
- Data, Insight & Performance
- Use people and operational data to drive decisions and identify trends to inform OD priorities
- Define metrics for organisational effectiveness and track impact
- Translate insight into practical, business‑focused actions
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Act as a trusted partner to leaders and Executive team, gaining their buy‑in and commitment to change and initiatives
- Influence organisation design, capability, and culture decisions
- Work collaboratively across People and business leadership
What we’ll look for in you:
- Significant experience in organisational development/effectiveness within a multi-site or retail environment
- Proven track record of delivering organisation design and transformation at scale
- Strong understanding of retail operating models and frontline workforce challenges and opportunities
- Experience building leadership capability
- Data-driven with strong commercial acumen
- Ability to operate at pace and translate strategy into practical solutions
- Excellent stakeholder management across senior and operational leaders
Desirable Skills:
- Experience in omnichannel or digital retail transformation
- Knowledge of workforce planning and labour modelling in retail
- Familiarity with change methodologies (e.g., ADKAR, agile transformation approaches)
- Background in large, complex or fast‑growth retail organisations
Head of Organisational Development employer: Dunelm
As a Visual Merchandiser with us, you'll thrive in a dynamic and supportive work environment that values creativity and teamwork. We offer competitive pay, flexible scheduling, and opportunities for professional growth, ensuring you can develop your skills while contributing to an inspiring shopping experience for our customers. Join us in a location that prioritises a customer-first approach, where your attention to detail will shine and make a real impact on store performance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Organisational Development
✨Join HR Networks
Get involved in HR-specific communities, like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and local HR meetups. This is a fantastic way to connect with industry professionals and learn about job openings before they even hit job boards!
✨Make Your Presence Known
Attend HR conferences and workshops in your area to network with potential employers. Don't be shy—introduce yourself, exchange business cards, and let them know you're keen on a full-time role in HR. Who knows, you might just land a friendly face at Dunelm!
✨Leverage Your University Connections
If you’re a recent grad or still in uni, tap into your career services and alumni network. Many universities have connections with companies looking for HR talent, so get those leads and apply through our website for a smoother application process.
✨Showcase Your HR Passion
Create content around HR topics you’re passionate about, like employee engagement or diversity initiatives. Share articles or insights on LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and get noticed by recruiters. It’s a subtle yet effective way to show you’re the right fit for a full-time role at Dunelm.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Organisational Development
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your HR Skills:When you’re crafting your CV, make sure you highlight specific HR skills that are relevant to the role at Dunelm. Include any experience with recruitment processes, employee relations, or performance management, and don’t forget to mention your familiarity with HR software or tools that could give you an edge.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tailor it to Dunelm and the specific HR role. Highlight your passion for people management and how your unique approach can help foster a positive workplace culture. Be sure to sprinkle in examples from your past experiences that illustrate your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any HR certifications or relevant training under your belt, be sure to showcase them! These qualifications can really set you apart from other candidates when applying for this full-time HR position at Dunelm. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Dunelm's values and culture. Research the company and align your experiences or values with what they stand for. This will show them that you're not only a fit for the role but also for the overall vibe of the team and organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at Dunelm
✨Brush Up on HR Best Practices
As you're diving into human resources, it’s crucial to be well-versed in the latest HR practices and legislation. Get familiar with key topics like employee engagement, talent acquisition, and diversity initiatives, as these could easily pop up in your interview with Dunelm.
✨Know Your Recruitment Tools
Most HR roles involve using various recruitment tools and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Make sure you can comfortably discuss platforms like Workday or Greenhouse. If you've had direct experience, share those examples; if not, show your eagerness to learn!
✨Highlight Your People Skills
A full-time HR role at Dunelm will require strong interpersonal skills. Prepare to share stories that demonstrate how you’ve successfully navigated conflicts or supported team members in past experiences. Authenticity goes a long way in this field.
✨Stay Current with HR Trends
Being up to speed with current HR trends, like remote working protocols or mental health initiatives, can set you apart. Be ready to discuss how these trends could impact Dunelm and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
