OD & Talent Specialist

The Manchester Metropolitan University; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The Manchester Metropolitan University is seeking an OD & Talent Specialist to lead and shape the University-wide Talent Strategy, collaborating with the Head of OD & Talent to build practical frameworks, tools and opportunities for colleagues to grow and progress.

The role focuses on talent identification, development and succession planning, fostering inclusive people practices and contributing to strategic workforce planning, all within a collaborative, hybrid-working environment designed to

Qualifications

• Experience of talent management and/or organisational development within a complex organisation.
• Experience supporting the delivery of talent, workforce or organisational development strategies.
• Knowledge of talent development, succession planning and career conversations.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and ability to influence across teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the delivery of key Talent Strategy initiatives across the University.
• Develop practical, inclusive and evidence-based frameworks for talent identification and development.
• Create guidance and tools enabling leaders to have effective career conversations.
• Support the design, delivery and evaluation of organisational development interventions.
• Analyse workforce and talent data to inform recommendations and actions.
• Contribute to strategic workforce planning and high-performance approaches.

Skills

Talent management

Organisational development

Stakeholder engagement

Facilitation & project management

Job description

Transform lives through talent and organisational development

Become part of our collaborative culture, diverse teams and well-connected community. At Manchester Met, we're committed to creating opportunities for our people to thrive, progress and achieve their potential. As our new OD & Talent Specialist, you'll play a key role in bringing our ambitious Talent Strategy to life and helping to shape the future of talent development across the University.

Working closely with the Head of OD & Talent, you'll help create the frameworks, tools and opportunities that enable colleagues to build meaningful careers while ensuring the University has the talent, leadership and capability needed to deliver our Road to 2035 ambitions. Join us and make a lasting impact on our people, our culture and our future.

What You Will Do

This is a varied and rewarding role where you'll have the opportunity to shape and deliver initiatives that support colleague development, internal mobility and organisational success.

You Will

• Lead and coordinate the delivery of key Talent Strategy initiatives across the University.
• Develop practical, inclusive and evidence-based frameworks that support talent identification, talent development and succession planning.
• Create guidance, resources and tools that enable leaders and managers to hold effective career conversations and support colleague progression.
• Support the design, delivery and evaluation of organisational development interventions that strengthen organisational effectiveness, culture and performance.
• Gather and analyse workforce, talent and colleague insight, turning data into meaningful recommendations and actions.
• Contribute to strategic workforce planning and approaches that support high performance across the University.
• Work closely with colleagues, leaders and stakeholders to embed talent and organisational development practices that are fair, transparent and inclusive.

Who We're Looking For

You're passionate about helping people reach their potential and understand how talent and organisational development can drive organisational performance.

You Will Bring

• Experience of talent management and/or organisational development within a complex organisation.
• Experience supporting the delivery of talent, workforce or organisational development strategies.
• Knowledge and practical experience in areas such as talent development, talent identification, succession planning, career pathways, career conversations or organisational development interventions.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills, with the ability to influence and work collaboratively across a wide range of teams and levels.
• Excellent facilitation, analytical and project management skills.
• The ability to translate strategic priorities and organisational insight into practical solutions that achieve results.
• Up-to-date knowledge of organisational development practice, talent management approaches and inclusive people strategies.

Most importantly, you'll share our commitment to creating opportunities for others, building meaningful connections and helping colleagues succeed.

Why join us?

Manchester Metropolitan University has been proudly driving progress for more than 200 years. As one of the UK's largest and most popular universities, we're committed to advancing knowledge, benefiting society and transforming lives through outstanding education and research.

Here, You'll Find

• A welcoming, collaborative and inclusive community.
• Opportunities to shape strategic initiatives with visible impact.
• The autonomy to innovate, influence and develop new approaches.
• Access to professional development and career progression opportunities.
• A culture that encourages curiosity, ambition and continuous improvement.
• The chance to play a key role in supporting colleagues to perform, progress and thrive.

Choose a career where you can create meaningful impact every day. As our OD & Talent Specialist, you'll help shape the experiences, opportunities and career journeys of colleagues across the University while contributing to our ambitious future.

Be part of Manchester Met. Be Manchester Met proud. Let's transform lives together.

shortlisting for this vacancy will take place w/c 26th October.
Interviews will be held w/c 9th November.
We encourage candidates to make note of these dates in the event that you are successfully invited to interview for the position.

Manchester Metropolitan University fosters an inclusive culture of belonging that promotes equity and celebrates diversity. We value a diverse workforce for the innovation and diversity of thought it brings and welcome applications from all local and international communities, including Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, and LGBTQ+ individuals.

We support a range of flexible working arrangements, including hybrid and tailored schedules, which can be discussed with your line manager. If you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process or in your role, please let us know so we can provide appropriate support.

Our commitment to inclusivity includes mentoring programmes, accessibility resources, and professional development opportunities to empower and support underrepresented groups.

Manchester Met is a Disability Confident Leader and, under this scheme, aims to offer an interview to disabled people who apply for the role and meet the essential criteria as listed in the attached Job Description for that vacancy.

Documents

• 002519.1 OD & Talent Specialist.pdf (76.41 KB)
• Professional Services Candidate Pack.pdf (9.15 MB)