Organisation Design and Development Practitioner

Government Recruitment Service; Reading; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency in the UK is seeking an Organisation Design and Development Practitioner to provide expert consultancy and lead strategic projects aimed at improving capabilities and culture. In this impactful role, you will partner with senior leaders to diagnose organizational challenges and design tailored solutions using data and analytics. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership skills, be able to communicate effectively, and promote an inclusive culture across the organization.

Qualifications

• Expertise in organisation design and development principles.
• Proven ability to influence and engage with senior leaders.
• Experience in leading complex projects and advising organizations.

Responsibilities

• Partner with leaders to design tailored solutions.
• Scope, design and deliver OD&D interventions.
• Communicate effectively with stakeholders to build trust.
• Use analytics to measure performance and success.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Organizational design

Stakeholder engagement

Data analysis

Communication

Job description

Defra (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs) works to protect and improve the environment, support farming and food production, and sustain rural communities. Our work affects everyone - from the food you eat to the air you breathe and the water you drink. Our mission is to restore and enhance the environment for the next generation, leaving it in a better state than we found it.

We’re transforming how we work to build a modern, inclusive organisation with the right skills and technology to meet future challenges. As an Organisation Design and Development (OD&D) Practitioner, you will provide expert consultancy to design and enable solutions that help Defra deliver its priorities. You will work strategically with leaders and HR partners to shape the way we work, including structures, capabilities, and culture, for long-term success.

In this role, you will act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders and teams across Defra. You will build deep relationships that enable, challenge and influence. You will engage with the client to diagnose organisational challenges and design OD&D interventions that help them to adapt to meet the needs of their business area. Your work will ensure we have the right people, in the right places at the right time to deliver our priorities effectively.

You will:

• Partner with leaders to understand their challenges and design practical, creative and tailored solutions.
• Work in partnership with other OD&D professionals, HR Business Partners and other HR experts to scope, design and deliver the right solutions for both the business and our people.
• Lead and enable complex OD&D projects by providing expert advice and frameworks, ensuring business areas have the capability and confidence to deliver their projects and achieve measurable results.
• Use data, analytics, and customer insight to inform decisions and shape interventions.
• Be able to effectively horizon scan and ensure that all advice is grounded in organisational context.
• Role model excellent leadership and communication, particularly by stimulating cultural growth as you lead people through change.
• Apply proven organisation design and development models and evidence-based approaches to create sustainable improvements that drive business outcomes.
• Build strong relationships across the organisation and influence decisions at all levels.
• Promote a culture of inclusion, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

This is a strategic role with real impact. You will help shape the future of Defra, working on projects that matter and seeing the results of your work across the organisation.

Key Responsibilities

• Scope, design, and deliver organisation design and development interventions that align with departmental priorities.
• Provide expertise to business areas to enable transformation, identifying where interventions will have the greatest impact.
• Apply OD&D models, approaches and mindset to deliver practical, evidence-based solutions.
• Communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels, building trust and engagement.
• Use analytics and benchmarking to identify priorities and measure success.
• Enhance workforce capability and lead people-focused Organisation Design and Development interventions that improve performance and culture.
• Understand and identify risk, highlighting and escalating to customers, adding value to the organisation and ensuring risk is effectively managed.