At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead workforce development and create innovative learning solutions for staff and volunteers.
- Company: Join Bradford District and Craven Mind, a thriving mental health charity.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, health cash plan, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a values-driven team committed to inclusion and empowerment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in mental health while supporting personal and professional growth.
- Qualifications: Experience in workforce or organisational development; HR qualifications are a plus.
The predicted salary is between 32885 - 36500 £ per year.
Salary scale: £32,885 – £36,500
Contract: Permanent
Hours: 37 hours per week
Base: Kenburgh House, 28 Manor Row, Bradford, BD1 4QU
Probationary Period: Six months
Closing Date: Wednesday 26th August 10am 2026
Interview Date: First week of September 2026
About Us
Bradford District and Craven Mind is a thriving, independent mental health charity with a clear purpose to promote positive mental wellbeing and empower and help people experiencing issues with their mental health to manage and work towards recovery and fulfilment.
We do this through:
- Building community and individual resilience for better mental wellbeing
- Providing early intervention advice and support
- Supporting people in crisis
- Empowering and helping people to recover and sustain improved wellbeing
Join us and you’ll receive:
- 25 days annual leave per year, rising to 28 days with length of service plus bank holidays
- Up to two additional leave days to use each year to support your wellbeing.
- Simply Health Cash Plan to claim back on personal health costs including dental, optical, prescriptions, physiotherapy and more.
- Employee Assistance Service including 24/7 confidential mental health support and access to structured therapy sessions.
- Generous pension scheme and employer contribution to help you plan for a secure future.
- Discount schemes including Company Shop and Blue Light Card.
- Excellent personal development opportunities including access to Clinical Supervision.
- Enhanced sick pay after your six-month probation.
- Generous death in service/life assurance benefit.
Role Background
BDC Mind has experienced significant growth in recent years. We have responded to increasing demand across our communities, expanded our services and welcomed new colleagues into our growing organisation. As our workforce of staff and volunteers has grown, we have recognised the need to invest more in their development, ensuring they have access to meaningful development opportunities in order to fulfil their potential and support our organisational goals.
Working closely with leaders, managers and subject matter experts across the organisation, you will develop career pathways, create innovative learning solutions and support a culture of continuous learning. This new role will be vital in shaping and delivering our learning and development offer across all levels of the organisation.
Role Purpose
To make sure the people delivering our work—both staff and volunteers—have the support, skills, and opportunities they need to thrive and help the organisation achieve its mission.
Role Outcomes
- Support the implementation of the organisation’s People Strategy that focuses on workforce’s development, retention, and creates a culture of continuous learning, reflection, and development.
- Lead the roll out and successful implementation of the organisation’s learner management system.
- Ensure compliance with mandatory training (e.g. safeguarding, health & safety, information governance).
- Develop structured learning pathways for different roles and levels.
- Evaluate the impact and effectiveness of learning interventions.
- Strengthen leadership capability across the organisation by delivering or coordinating leadership development programs.
- Provide advice and guidance to managers on learning, development and workforce capability matters.
- Develop and implement a volunteering framework aligned with the organisation’s People Strategy.
- Develop clear, meaningful volunteer roles and pathways.
- Oversee and improve the volunteer lifecycle, providing guidance and support to the Volunteer Coordinator to ensure effective recruitment, onboarding, development, engagement and recognition.
- Build relationships with training providers, networks, and partners.
- Identify opportunities to enhance employees and volunteering capacity.
- Support developing career progress and succession planning across the organisation.
- Represent the organisation in relevant sector forums.
- Fully participating in all relevant training to develop and maintain your performance in the role.
- Demonstrating an ongoing commitment to our values: Caring Always, Working Together, Supporting Everyone, Enabling All and Continually Improving.
- Performing other duties as reasonably required within the role.
Person Specification
BDC Mind is committed to promoting mental health awareness, reducing stigma, and improving the quality of life for people with mental health challenges. We value diversity, inclusion and lived experiences when recruiting our staff and volunteers.
Qualifications
Desirable: Relevant qualification in HR, learning & development, organisational development, or a related discipline.
Experience
Essential: Experience in workforce development, organisational development, learning and development, or a related field. Proven experience designing or implementing training programmes, frameworks, or learning systems (e.g., LMS). Experience working with or supporting volunteers, including recruitment, engagement, or development.
Desirable: Experience contributing to organisational change or strategy implementation. Experience in creating pathways into employment for underrepresented or vulnerable groups. Experience working in or alongside the charity, health, or social care sector (ideally mental health).
Skills and Abilities
Essential: Ability to think strategically and translate vision into practical solutions. Strong project management and organisational skills. Ability to engage, influence, and build relationships across all levels of an organisation. Analytical skills, with the ability to use data and feedback to drive improvement. Strong communication skills, both written and verbal. Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgement.
Knowledge
Essential: Understanding of workforce development principles, including career progression and succession planning. Knowledge of learning design and adult learning approaches. Knowledge of best practices in volunteer management and engagement. Understanding of equality, diversity, and inclusion in workforce development. Awareness of the challenges and context of mental health services.
Attitude and Personal Attributes
Essential: Passion for supporting people’s development. Values-driven, with a strong commitment to inclusion, equity, and empowerment. Proactive, innovative, and solutions focused. Empathetic and able to work sensitively within a mental health context. Resilient and adaptable in changing organisation. Commitment to the values and mission of the charity.
How to Apply
Please click the 'Apply for this job' button and follow the steps to fill out the application form. Upload your CV and a cover letter showing how your experience and skills match the Job Description and Person Specification.
We’re unable to provide feedback to applicants who are not shortlisted. We are committed to safeguarding vulnerable children and adults. All successful candidates will need to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and a right to work in the UK check.
Workplace Development Manager in Bradford employer: Mind in Bradford
Bradford District and Craven Mind is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth. With generous benefits such as enhanced annual leave, a comprehensive health cash plan, and access to personal development opportunities, employees are empowered to thrive in their roles while making a meaningful impact in the community. Located in Bradford, this independent mental health charity not only champions mental health awareness but also offers a culture of continuous learning and collaboration, making it an ideal place for those passionate about supporting others.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Workplace Development Manager in Bradford
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Mind in Bradford.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Mind in Bradford.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Mind in Bradford.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Mind in Bradford. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Workplace Development Manager in Bradford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Mind in Bradford. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Workplace Development Manager, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Mind in Bradford
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Mind in Bradford. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
