At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead organisational development and culture transformation for a top-performing college.
- Company: Join HRUC, one of England's largest and best-performing further education colleges.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous holidays, wellness initiatives, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Hybrid working options available; commitment to safeguarding and inclusivity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on employee experience and culture in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in organisational development and culture change required.
The predicted salary is between 53656 - 60082 £ per year.
People and Organisational Development Location: Uxbridge/Harrow/Richmond Colleges Salary: £53,656 to £60,082 per annum including London Weighting, with possible market supplement depending on skills and experience Post Type: Full Time
HRUC is one of the largest further education colleges in England and one of London’s best-performing college groups. Across five campuses, we support more than 16,000 learners through high-quality courses, apprenticeships and programmes that enable them to achieve their ambitions and build successful futures.
This newly created role will be central to delivering our 2030 ambition to be the college of choice to work and learn and to achieve external Great Place to Work recognition. We are seeking a Head of Organisational Development and Culture to provide expert strategic leadership for people capability, organisational culture and employee experience across HRUC. Reporting to the Assistant Director – Talent and Reward and working closely with the Chief People Officer, the role spans three connected priorities:
- Culture transformation
- Learning and workforce capability, including the 2030 Curriculum Workforce Strategy and a scalable leadership development framework
- Employee experience and engagement, driving measurable improvements in performance, attendance and retention
Key Responsibilities Include:
- Leading the development of the 2030 Curriculum Workforce Strategy
- Conducting workforce skills audits and developing a structured continuing professional development (CPD) framework, including digital and blended learning pathways
- Scoping and designing a scalable Leadership Development Programme
- Driving a culture transformation programme that supports HRUC’s ambition to be the college of choice to work and learn and to achieve external Great Place to Work recognition, in collaboration with senior colleagues
- Working with the Chief People Officer to implement wellbeing initiatives that improve attendance and engagement
- Providing leadership and guidance to the Learning and Organisational Development Manager and the Employee Experience Manager, and their teams
We are looking for a strategic, credible and delivery-focused leader who can demonstrate:
- Significant senior-level experience in learning and organisational development, culture change and/or employee experience, with evidence of translating strategy into deliverable programmes
- A strong track record of designing, procuring and delivering leadership development and workforce capability programmes for senior cohorts, including blended and digital learning approaches
- Experience of leading culture-change and behavioural-development programmes in a complex organisation, including influencing senior leaders and staff representatives
- Experience of designing and leading an employee engagement approach, including survey delivery, insight reporting, action planning and measuring the impact of interventions
- Experience of leading and managing people and delivering complex programmes at pace, including Board/EMT-ready papers, business cases and options analysis
You will be joining a supportive and inclusive organisation, with many opportunities for professional development and growth. We offer a range of benefits for staff including generous holiday allowance (37 days + bank holidays and additional college closure period), pension scheme, wellness platform, staff discounts, employee assistance programme and free car parking on all sites.
HRUC operates across campuses in Harrow, Richmond and Uxbridge. The postholder will be required to work across all College campuses and to travel to partner organisations, providers and external stakeholders as required (base as per contract of offer). Hybrid working can be considered by agreement; however, the majority of working time is expected to be on College sites.
HRUC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults, and we expect all staff to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and other necessary pre-employment checks.
Equal Opportunities: HRUC is an equal opportunities employer. We encourage applications from all people, irrespective of disability, race, gender, age, sexual orientation, transsexual or gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership, religion/faith or pregnancy and maternity leave.
Disclosure and Barring Service checks: HRUC (Harrow, Richmond & Uxbridge Colleges) is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults, and we expect all staff to share this commitment. To ensure that we meet our safeguarding commitments we will carry out all necessary pre-employment checks, including undertaking an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring check for all successful candidates.
Rehabilitation of Ex-Offenders: Harrow, Richmond and Uxbridge College (HRUC) is committed to the fair treatment of all applicants, employees, learners, and volunteers, including those with criminal records. We actively promote equality of opportunity and welcome applications from a wide range of candidates, including ex-offenders. Our approach is in line with all relevant and current safeguarding and equality legislation.
2175 - Head of Organisational Development and Culture in Harrow employer: Harrow College
Harrow College is an excellent employer that fosters a supportive and collaborative work culture, ideal for educators passionate about making a difference in students' lives. With opportunities for professional development and growth across multiple campuses, including Hayes, Uxbridge, Harrow, and Richmond, employees benefit from a dynamic environment that encourages innovation in teaching Functional Skills. Join us to be part of a community dedicated to empowering learners aged 16 and above, while enjoying the unique advantages of working in a vibrant educational setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land 2175 - Head of Organisational Development and Culture in Harrow
✨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 Harrow College!
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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.
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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 Harrow College.
We think you need these skills to ace 2175 - Head of Organisational Development and Culture in Harrow
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 Harrow College. 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 Harrow College 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 Harrow College. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Harrow College'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 Harrow College
✨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 Harrow College.
✨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 Harrow College 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 Harrow College and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
