Preliminary interviews:
w/c 28th September 2026
Final Panel interviews:
w/c 12th October 2026
About the Role
Following a successful 18-month period of interim leadership, we have developed a new People Strategy, established clear priorities and strengthened the foundations from which our people agenda can continue to evolve.
As our Director of People & Culture, you will take that progress forward while bringing your own leadership, perspective and ambition to what comes next.
Reporting directly to the Chief Executive and as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will influence far beyond the People function. You will work closely with senior colleagues and our Board of Trustees to shape organisational strategy, strengthen leadership and capability, and create a culture where colleagues and volunteers can thrive.
Leading Recruitment, Learning & Organisational Development, People Partnering and Volunteering, you will bring together the teams responsible for attracting, developing, supporting and retaining the people who enable Norwood to deliver outstanding services.
This is not about starting again. It is about recognising what is working, building on the progress already made and having the confidence and vision to take Norwood's people agenda further.
Ultimately, your impact will be felt beyond People & Culture. By creating the conditions for our people to do their best work, you will help enable exceptional support for the children, families and adults who rely on Norwood.
Who we are looking for
We’re looking for an experienced and credible People leader who can combine strategic thinking with strong operational judgement and who understands the role that people, leadership and culture play in delivering an Norwood's ambitions.
You’ll be comfortable operating at Executive and Board level, providing trusted advice, influencing strategic decisions and building strong relationships across a complex, multi-site organisation. Equally, you’ll stay connected to the everyday colleague experience and understand what good People practice needs to look and feel like across our services.
You’ll bring experience of leading and developing multidisciplinary teams, shaping People strategy and successfully leading organisational and cultural change. You’ll know how to translate strategy into meaningful action, using insight, data and clear measures of success to understand what is working and where we need to go further.
Your leadership style will matter as much as your experience. You’ll be someone who listens, builds trust and brings people with you. You’ll have the confidence to challenge constructively, the judgement to navigate complexity and the integrity to make decisions that balance the needs of our people with those of Norwood.
Above all, you’ll understand that great People leadership is not an end in itself. It creates the conditions for people to thrive and, in turn, enables Norwood to continue delivering outstanding support to the people and communities we serve.
Your day to day
You’ll move between strategic conversations, organisational priorities and the leadership of a multidisciplinary People & Culture function.
You will:
- Work alongside the Chief Executive, Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees, providing trusted advice and shaping Norwood’s strategic direction
- Lead the delivery and continued development of our People Strategy, ensuring it evolves alongside the organisation
- Lead our Recruitment, Learning & Organisational Development, People Partnering and Volunteering functions
- Strengthen leadership capability, colleague engagement and organisational culture across Norwood
- Ensure our people practices, policies and employment approaches are fair, effective, legally compliant and aligned with our values
- Shape how we attract, develop, engage and retain talented, values-led people
- Lead organisational and cultural change, helping colleagues and leaders navigate change effectively
- Champion equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging across our people practices and colleague experience
- Use people data, insight and meaningful measures to understand performance, identify priorities and inform decisions
- Ensure workforce planning and recruitment respond effectively to operational needs while supporting the reduction of agency reliance
- Lead the People & Culture budget, ensuring resources are focused where they can have the greatest impact
- Stay connected to colleagues and services across Norwood, ensuring our People agenda reflects the realities of the people delivering our work every day
Above all, you’ll turn People strategy into everyday experience, creating the conditions for our colleagues and volunteers to feel supported, developed and empowered to do their best work.
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Director of People & Culture in London employer: NORWOOD
At Norwood, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment where kindness and respect are at the core of our culture. As a Housing Manager, you will not only have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of neurodiverse individuals but also benefit from comprehensive employee growth opportunities, including training and development tailored to your career aspirations. Located in Stanmore, our head office fosters collaboration across various teams, ensuring that you are part of a dedicated community committed to empowering those we serve.
