Organisational Development Practitioner

Yolk Recruitment; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A higher education provider in the UK is looking for an Organisational Development Practitioner to enhance their leadership development and change management initiatives. The role involves designing and delivering key OD interventions, supporting managers, and communicating with staff across the organisation. Candidates should have experience in leadership development and hold a CIPD Level 7 qualification or relevant experience. This position offers hybrid working arrangements and a fixed term contract until July 2027.

Qualifications

• Experience in complex organisations and OD interventions.
• Track record of designing leadership development programmes.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and deliver OD interventions to enhance performance.
• Use data insights to inform recommendations and prepare reports.
• Support managers on OD matters and engage staff for buy-in.

Skills

Leadership capability development

Behavioural frameworks

Colleague engagement

Inclusive leadership

Effective communication

Education

CIPD Level 7 or equivalent HRM-related qualification

Job description

Organisational Development Practitioner

Providing Services to: Higher Education Provider

Salary: £41,064 per annum (appointment normally made at the minimum)

Hours of Work: Full time (37 hours per week)

Location: South Wales (Various sites Cardiff & Newport) Hybrid working available

Contract Duration: Fixed term to 31st July 2027

About the Role

We are working with a leading higher education provider who are seeking an Organisational Development Practitioner to join their growing OD team. This role focuses on the delivery and facilitation of high-quality leadership and management development programmes, aimed primarily at first-line and middle managers across the organisation.

• Leadership capability development
• Behavioural frameworks and culture initiatives
• Colleague engagement activities
• Wellbeing and psychologically safe working environments
• Inclusive leadership and EDI-aligned development

You will also contribute to the refinement and delivery of modules covering core management topics such as managing performance, sickness absence, appraisals, and developing effective leadership within a university setting.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with strong facilitation skills and experience in leadership development to make a meaningful impact within a collaborative and values-driven environment.

Job Purpose

To contribute as part of the OD team to delivering the People Strategy, co-designing and facilitating high-quality organisational development priorities for individuals and teams across the institution. This includes culture change, leadership and management development (particularly for first-line and middle managers), individual and team effectiveness, and candidate/colleague experience.

To take the lead on coordinating and delivering a major leadership and management development project, ensuring organisation-wide alignment, quality and impact.

To act as a change agent, supporting change initiatives across the Higher Education Provider.

To drive forward activities that promote the Higher Education Provider as an Employer of Choice, modelling positive behaviours that underpin core organisational values.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and deliver OD and change management interventions that support the ambition to be a high-performing organisation, with a strong focus on leadership and management development.
• Use organisational data and insights to inform analysis, produce recommendations, and prepare reports for governance groups and senior leaders.
• Provide advice, facilitation and practical support to managers on a range of OD matters, including leadership and management development.
• Communicate effectively, constructively challenge, and engage with staff at all levels to secure buy-in to new ways of working and culture enhancement.
• Plan and coordinate a major leadership and management development initiative, ensuring stakeholder engagement, timely delivery and effective evaluation.
• Evaluate OD activities and embed continuous improvement.
• Develop resources to support leaders and managers in building and managing effective teams.
• Apply evidence-based practice and share relevant thought leadership on OD topics.
• Promote continuous learning, self-directed development, collaboration and knowledge sharing.
• Embed equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging using an "Inclusive by Design" approach.
• Maintain strong relationships with trade unions, promoting partnership working and joint problem-solving.
• Represent the OD team at cross-institutional boards or meetings as required.
• Undertake additional duties commensurate with the grade as required.

Person Specification

• CIPD Level 7 or equivalent HRM-related qualification, or equivalent relevant experience.
• OD experience in complex organisations.
• Track record of designing and delivering OD interventions aligned to strategic objectives, including leadership and management development programmes.
• Understanding of organisational transformation and its implications for OD.
• Knowledge and practical experience of applying OD models, particularly in leadership and management development.
• Experience of facilitation, coaching and personal/team development, including delivery of leadership and management sessions.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; able to convey complex information to all levels.
• Welsh language skills (speaking and/or writing) are desirable.

Disability Confident - Offer of Interview

As part of our commitment to equality, all disabled applicants who meet the key criteria (marked *) will be guaranteed an interview.

Contact and Interview Schedule

For further information about this opportunity, please contact Branwen Johns and email a copy of your CV. First stage interviews are looking to take place 22nd December with second stage to be arranged for January 2026.