Director of People and Culture

Norfolk and Waveney Mind; Norfolk (VA); On-site; USD 99,000; Full time

Job summary

A mental health charity is seeking a Director of People and Culture to shape and lead its HR strategy. This full-time role involves designing wellbeing initiatives and promoting inclusion. Successful candidates will have senior HR experience, a relevant degree, and a CIPD qualification. Join us to make a meaningful impact in mental health support.

Qualifications

• Proven senior HR/People leadership experience, ideally within the charity sector.
• Deep understanding of wellbeing and trauma-informed practices.
• Strong strategic HR expertise with the ability to translate vision into action.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and delivery of wellbeing and mental health programmes.
• Champion equality, diversity, and inclusion within the organisation.
• Oversee HR operations ensuring fairness and compliance.

Skills

Senior HR/People leadership experience

Understanding of EDI

Collaborative leadership style

Education

Degree in Human Resources or related field

CIPD qualification (Level 7 or equivalent)

Job description

REF:NWM/624

Working Hours: Full Time, 37.5 hours per week, Monday – Friday, with occasional attendance at external events outside normal working hours.

Salary: £73,812 per annum

Location: Sale Road Norwich with travel required to other external sites as and when required. You will be required to travel to other locations where necessary. Due to the nature of the role, a valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle are essential. Business insurance is also required. Mileage is reimbursed at 45p per mile for cars, after deducting the mileage between your home and work base.

At Norfolk and Waveney Mind we believe that no one should face poor mental health alone. As a people-centred mental health charity, we’re driven by compassion and community working to ensure everyone can access the support they need to thrive.

My name is Sonja Chilvers, and I am the Chief Executive Officer of Norfolk and Waveney Mind. Our charity’s mission is simple but powerful: to ensure that no one faces mental health challenges alone. Everything we do is underpinned by our core Values Inclusive, Responsive, Respectful, and guided by an unwavering commitment to act with integrity in every aspect of our work.

The opportunity to join us as our Director of People and Culture is exciting and pivotal. As a member of our Executive Team, you will play a central role in shaping and leading the organisation with passion, authenticity, and purpose. You will help ensure that our people, both those who use our services and those who deliver them, have a strong and influential voice in shaping our future.

This newly created role offers the chance to drive our three-to-five-year strategy across Norfolk and Waveney, embedding a culture where wellbeing, growth, and excellence are at the heart of everything we do.

Norfolk and Waveney Mind has been awarded the Mind Quality Mark, a rigorous quality assurance standard that sets the benchmark for best practice and legal compliance across the Mind Federation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and delivery of staff wellbeing and mental health programmes, ensuring proactive, preventative support for all employees and volunteers.
• Champion equality, diversity, and inclusion, ensuring our organisation reflects the vibrant communities we serve.
• Foster a compassionate, open culture where people feel safe to be themselves, share ideas, and learn.
• Oversee HR operations including policies, benefits, payroll, and compliance ensuring all processes reflect fairness, equity, and best practice in the charity sector.
• Drive organisational learning and leadership development, building resilience and emotional intelligence across teams.
• Partner with leaders to embed trauma-informed and person-centred practices that sustain a healthy, inclusive workplace.

What we are looking for

• Proven senior HR/People leadership experience — ideally within the charity or not-for-profit sector.
• Degree in Human Resources, Organisational Psychology, Business Administration, or related field.
• Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) qualification (Level 7 or equivalent).
• Deep understanding of EDI, wellbeing, trauma-informed practice, and psychological safety in the workplace.
• Strong strategic and operational HR expertise, with the ability to translate vision into action.
• A collaborative leadership style that inspires trust, openness, and inclusion.

Why Join Us?

By joining Norfolk and Waveney Mind, you become part of a mission that truly matters, ensuring that no one faces poor mental health alone. As Director of People and Culture, you will shape a thriving workforce by fostering wellbeing, driving growth, and championing excellence.

Closing date

Sunday 2nd November

We may close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

Application Process

Candidates are required to complete an application form. Once you have downloaded and completed the application form, upload it via the “Apply for this job” link. If you have questions, please contact the HR Department on 0300 330 5488.

EEO and Diversity Statement

We welcome applications from people from all ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, socio-economic classes, religions and disabilities. We also value and actively encourage applications from those with lived experience of mental health, recognising that your personal journey can bring unique insight and empathy that helps others feel heard, supported, and valued. At Norfolk and Waveney Mind, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment where everyone passionate about mental health feels respected, valued, and supported.

Safeguarding Statement

Norfolk and Waveney Mind is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. Employment is subject to a satisfactory DBS check as well as other safeguarding checks.