Organisation Design Lead

Personnel Today Awards; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 101,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Personnel Today Awards in Birmingham seeks an Interim Strategic Lead for Organisational Design, Change and Transformation. This six-month role operates at director level and reports to the Chief People and Culture Officer, with hybrid working 2–3 days on-site.

You will shape workforce transformation, design operating models, lead cross-functional teams, engage with senior stakeholders, and drive structural change with a focus on value and sustainable transformation.

Qualifications

• Significant senior or Director-level leadership experience across organisational design, change and transformation.
• Experience leading cross-functional transformation programmes.
• Ability to operate in a politically aware public service environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership across organisational design, development, change and workforce transformation.
• Shape and deliver new operating models and organisational structures aligned with long-term priorities.
• Lead organisation-wide programmes covering culture, capability, talent management, workforce planning and leadership development.
• Oversee the development of workforce planning, talent acquisition, talent management, employee engagement and employee proposition strategies.
• Provide high‑impact advice to the Chief People and Culture Officer and senior stakeholders on workforce strategy and transformation.

Skills

Leadership

Organisational design

Change management

Workforce transformation

Stakeholder engagement

Public sector experience

Job description

Interim Strategic Lead – Organisational Design, Change & Transformation

Location: Birmingham, hybrid working with 2–3 days per week on-site

Contract: 6 months

Day rate: £550–£650 per day (inside IR35)

We are supporting a leading regional public sector organisation with the appointment of an Interim Strategic Lead for Organisational Design, Change and Transformation. Operating at Director level and reporting to the Chief People and Culture Officer, this is a high‑profile leadership role with responsibility for shaping the organisation’s wider organisational effectiveness agenda. The successful candidate will provide strategic direction across organisational development and design, workforce transformation, change, talent acquisition, workforce planning, leadership development and organisational capability.

The role will lead several senior functional areas and work closely with the Executive Board, senior leadership, Finance, Legal, Communications, trade unions and employee networks. It will suit an established people and transformation leader who can navigate a complex, politically aware environment and translate organisational priorities into effective structures, workforce strategies and sustainable change.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership across organisational design, development, change and workforce transformation.
• Shape and deliver new operating models and organisational structures aligned with the organisation’s long‑term priorities.
• Lead organisation-wide programmes covering culture, capability, talent management, workforce planning and leadership development.
• Oversee the development of workforce planning, talent acquisition, talent management, employee engagement and employee proposition strategies.
• Provide high‑impact advice to the Chief People and Culture Officer, Executive Board and senior stakeholders on workforce strategy, organisational risk and transformation.
• Lead and develop senior Heads of Service, creating alignment and shared purpose across multiple specialist teams.
• Champion inclusive leadership, succession planning, professional development and organisational capability.
• Build effective relationships with trade unions, employee networks, public sector partners, professional bodies and external providers.
• Oversee strategic budgets, external delivery partners and contracts, ensuring value for money and measurable return on investment.
• Support the development of business cases and the financial planning required for structural change and service redesign.

About You

• Significant senior or Director-level leadership experience across organisational development, organisational design, change or people transformation.
• A strong track record of leading complex, cross‑functional and organisation‑wide transformation programmes.
• Experience operating within a politically aware, unionised public service environment.
• The credibility and confidence to influence Executive Boards, senior leaders and external stakeholders.
• Deep expertise in organisational design, organisational development, leadership development and inclusive culture.
• Experience shaping workforce strategies, operating models, organisational structures and capability plans.
• Strong strategic judgement, commercial awareness and the ability to work effectively through complexity and ambiguity.
• A values‑led and inclusive leadership style, supported by excellent influencing, coaching and communication skills.
• Evidence of continued professional development in leadership, transformation or workforce strategy.

The Opportunity

This is an opportunity to take on a highly influential interim assignment at the centre of a significant people and organisational transformation agenda. You will help shape the organisation’s future workforce, leadership capability, operating structures and culture, while providing trusted strategic advice at the most senior level.