At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage a team to shape organisational development strategies and interventions.
- Company: Join a values-led organisation that respects and influences OD leadership.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, hybrid work, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Flexible travel opportunities across the UK with ongoing learning and progression.
- Why this job: Make a lasting impact on culture and leadership while developing your professional skills.
- Qualifications: Significant experience in OD and strong leadership development capabilities required.
As OD Lead you will be part of the Learning and Development / Organisational Development department and will manage a team of OD specialists while also personally stepping into complex, high-impact OD work at senior levels.
Your new role:
- Setting the strategic direction for Organisational Development across the organisation
- Leading, managing and quality-assuring the OD function and work plan
- Operating at the intersection of OD, people practice and operations, applying strong professional judgement
- Personally delivering OD interventions in complex, multi-stakeholder and senior-level contexts
- Coaching and influencing senior leaders to strengthen leadership, accountability and organisational effectiveness
- Shaping leadership development, talent management, succession planning and internal coaching capability
- Using insight, diagnostics and data to ensure OD activity lands with clarity, precision and lasting impact
This is a "hands-on" leadership role. It is for an OD leader who wants to shape the system from within, balancing strategy, delivery and judgement in real time.
What you'll need to succeed:
- Significant experience leading OD in complex, multi-layered large organisations
- Proven capability managing and developing OD or development teams
- Strong experience designing and delivering leadership development at scale
- Deep understanding of systems thinking, organisational dynamics and culture change
- Confidence operating at senior leadership level, including challenge and coaching
- The ability to work judiciously in ambiguity, pressure and organisational complexity
- Willingness and flexibility to travel nationally on a regular basis
What you'll get in return:
- National, hybrid role, based anywhere in the UK with supported travel
- 25 days annual leave, rising to 30 with service (plus bank holidays)
- Paid weekly wellbeing hour and access to wellbeing and employee assistance services
- Generous pension scheme
- Ongoing professional development, learning and progression opportunities
- A values-led environment where OD leadership is respected and influential
Most importantly, you'll have the opportunity to lead Organisational Development that genuinely shapes culture, leadership and long-term capability, leaving a legacy rather than a dependency.
Organisational Development Manager employer: Hays HR
Contact Detail:
Hays HR Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Organisational Development Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees in the OD field. They can give you insider info about the company culture and what it’s really like to work there.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by practising your storytelling skills. Share specific examples of how you've led OD initiatives or coached senior leaders. We want to hear about your impact!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just wait for job openings to pop up. Be proactive! Follow the company on social media, engage with their content, and show your interest in their OD work. It’ll make you stand out!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step!
We think you need these skills to ace Organisational Development Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in leading OD in complex organisations. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your achievements!
Showcase Your Leadership Style: As an OD Lead, your leadership approach is key. Use your application to demonstrate how you coach and influence senior leaders. Share specific examples of how you've shaped leadership development and organisational effectiveness in your previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, clarity is crucial. We appreciate straightforward language that gets to the point. Avoid jargon and ensure your key messages about your experience and vision for OD come through loud and clear.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it shows you’re keen to be part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays HR
✨Know Your OD Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of organisational development principles and practices. Be ready to discuss your experience in leading OD initiatives, especially in complex environments. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully influenced senior leaders or shaped organisational culture.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As an OD Lead, you'll be managing a team and working with senior stakeholders. Prepare to talk about your leadership style and how you've developed teams in the past. Think of instances where you've coached others to improve their performance and how that has impacted the organisation.
✨Be Data-Driven
Since the role involves using insights and diagnostics, come prepared with examples of how you've used data to inform your OD strategies. Discuss any tools or methodologies you've employed to measure the effectiveness of your interventions and how you've adjusted your approach based on those insights.
✨Embrace Ambiguity
This role requires navigating through complexity and ambiguity. Be ready to share experiences where you've thrived in uncertain situations. Talk about how you maintain clarity and focus while managing multiple stakeholders and competing priorities, showcasing your professional judgement.