Head of Organisational Development in Liverpool

The role leads on driving organisational development and employee experience initiatives, leading recruitment strategies, and overseeing learning and development programs to build capability and talent across the organisation. The Head of Organisational Development (OD) has line management responsibility for the Recruitment Manager and the HR People Professional Apprentice.

Key Responsibilities

• Organisational Development and Cultural Change: Design and deliver OD programmes that support organisational priorities and workforce development. Evaluate the impact of interventions and recommend improvements based on outcomes and feedback.
• Modernise and Transform People Systems and Processes: Support with the continuous modernisation of people systems, processes and practices, ensuring they are efficient, scalable and aligned to organisational priorities. Champion innovation and external best practice to deliver continuous improvement across the people function.
• Develop and Embed the People Strategy and Organisational Development Framework: Assist the HR Director to shape, implement and evaluate the College's People Strategy and Organisational Development Framework. Ensure strategic priorities are translated into measurable outcomes and embedded across the organisation.
• Strategic Workforce Planning, Talent and Succession Management: Lead the strategic approach to workforce planning, talent management and succession, working closely with the Recruitment Manager and HRBPs to understand and inform current and future workforce requirements.
• Employee Experience and Organisational Culture: Champion a positive, inclusive and high-performing culture that enhances employee engagement, wellbeing and retention. Oversee the development and implementation of engagement and organisational culture programmes.
• Leadership and Management Development: Develop and deliver a leadership and management development framework that strengthens organisational capability and supports the achievement of College objectives.
• Recruitment, Attraction and Onboarding Strategy: Provide oversight of recruitment, attraction and onboarding activities, ensuring they contribute to the College’s position as an employer of choice.
• Learning Compliance and Workforce Development: Provide oversight of mandatory training, compliance and workforce development activities, ensuring statutory, regulatory and organisational requirements are met.
• Employee Communications and Engagement Strategy: Develop and oversee comprehensive employee communications that strengthen organisational alignment and enhance employee understanding of College priorities.
• Safer Recruitment and Employment Compliance: Act as the organisational lead for safer recruitment, ensuring full compliance with statutory, regulatory and safeguarding requirements.
• Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing Strategy: Embed inclusive practices within all people and organisational development activities, drive measurable improvements in workforce diversity and inclusion.

Professional Practice and Values: Contribute fully to the mission and values statement of the College Group ensuring its effective implementation in all aspects of College life. Take a proactive approach and responsibility for personal professional development, Health & Safety, and meeting other regulatory compliances.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience in Human Resources or Organisational Development.
• Significant senior HR leadership experience within a complex organisation.
• Proven track record in organisational development and cultural change initiatives.
• Experience in modernising HR systems and processes, including technology integration.
• Strong background in strategic workforce planning, talent management, and succession planning.
• Experience in developing and delivering leadership and management development programmes.
• Excellent leadership and people management skills.
• Strong influencing and negotiation skills.
• Champion of equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• Integrity and discretion, maintaining confidentiality and professionalism at all times.
• Ability to analyse data and use insights to inform decision-making.
• Proactive and solutions-focused, with a commitment to continuous improvement.
• Resilient, adaptable, and able to manage change effectively.
• Innovative and forward-thinking approach to HR and OD.

Benefits

• Generous holiday allowance: Up to 30 days annual holiday allowance, plus 1 wellbeing day.
• Pension Scheme: Part of the Aviva pension scheme, with contributions of up to 10%.
• Employee Benefits Platform: Access to a wide range of perks designed to support your wellbeing.
• Health and Wellbeing: Access to the Health Assured Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
• Medicash Scheme: Access to Medicash health plans.
• Life Assurance: Benefit of up to three times your annual salary payable in the event of death in service.
• Travel: Interest-free loans to help you buy annual travel passes.
• Flexible Working: Flexible working options depending on business need.
• Professional Development: A mix of formal and informal professional development opportunities.
• College Benefits: Access to sports and fitness facilities, discounted hair and beauty treatments, and staff discounts.