Organisational Development Manager

London Borough of Harrow; London Borough of Harrow; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The London Borough of Harrow is seeking an experienced Organisational Development (OD) Manager to shape the Council’s workforce, culture and organisational capability. This senior, strategic post will lead high-impact OD programmes, workforce strategy and equality, diversity and inclusion initiatives that align with the Council’s priorities.

Working with senior leaders and HR colleagues, the role will develop the Workforce Strategy, embed data-driven evaluation and champion inclusive practices

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in a senior HR or Organisational Development role.
• Proven track record delivering multiple OD programmes in dynamic environments.
• Knowledge of OD best practice and workforce strategy.
• Ability to lead in ambiguous, changing contexts with resilience.
• Strong influencing and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills.
• Degree-level qualification with ongoing professional development (CIPD preferred).

Responsibilities

• Provide expert OD advice and practical solutions across organisation design, culture change and leadership development.
• Lead on the Council's Workforce Strategy with data-driven evaluation.
• Champion inclusive practices and oversee EDI action plans.
• Engage with senior leaders to align OD initiatives with corporate priorities.
• Develop and embed OD programmes to strengthen organisational capability.

Skills

OD leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership development

People management

Change management

Education

Degree-level qualification (CIPD preferred)

Tools

360 feedback

DISC

McKinsey 7S

Job description

The London Borough of Harrow is looking for an experienced and forward‑thinking Organisational Development (OD) Manager to play a pivotal role in shaping the Council’s workforce, culture and organisational capability.

This senior, strategic post will lead high-impact organisational development, workforce strategy, and equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) initiatives that align with the Council’s corporate priorities.

Working in close partnership with senior leaders, directorates and HR colleagues, the role will help ensure Harrow has the skills, behaviours and ways of working needed to deliver high‑quality, customer‑focused services.

The OD Manager will provide expert advice and practical solutions across organisation design, culture change, leadership and management development, employee engagement and performance.

A key focus will be the development, delivery and embedding of the Council’s Workforce Strategy, supported by robust data, insight and evaluation to demonstrate impact and value for money.

As the corporate lead for OD and EDI, the postholder will champion inclusive practices, oversee EDI action plans, and lead council-wide engagement activities, turning insights into meaningful improvements for staff.

This is an exciting opportunity for a confident and credible professional to make a lasting contribution to strengthening organisational capability and ensuring Harrow remains a great place to work and serve its communities.

The Successful candidate will have:-

• Extensive experience in a senior HR or Organisational Development role, including direct people management responsibility.
• A strong track record of leading and delivering multiple OD programmes and projects within complex, fast‑paced and changing environments.
• Proven experience using a range of OD diagnostic and psychometric tools (e.g. 360 feedback, DISC, McKinsey 7S) to inform organisational and leadership interventions.
• Comprehensive knowledge of OD best practice, workforce strategy and service delivery models, with a clear focus on value for money and measurable impact.
• The ability to operate effectively in ambiguity, demonstrating resilient and confident leadership behaviours.
• Excellent interpersonal and influencing skills, with the credibility to engage, challenge and advise senior leaders and key stakeholders constructively.
• Strong written, verbal and presentation skills, capable of communicating complex messages clearly to diverse audiences.
• Outstanding organisational and planning skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining a strong customer and stakeholder focus.
• A collaborative and inclusive approach, working effectively across teams, disciplines and organisational boundaries to achieve shared outcomes.
• A degree‑level qualification (or equivalent experience) with evidence of ongoing professional development, ideally supported by CIPD or relevant postgraduate qualifications.