Organisational Development Manager

Organisational Development Manager

We have a fantastic new job opportunity for an experienced, strategic and forward-thinking organisational development professional to join the People Team of a large education organisation, helping to shape and deliver the Trust’s people strategy, workforce planning, recruitment and retention, employee engagement, wellbeing, reward and organisational effectiveness.

If you’ve also worked in the following roles, we’d also like to hear from you: HR Manager, People Manager, People Strategy Manager, Workforce Planning Manager, Employee Engagement Manager, Organisational Design Manager, People Development Manager, HR Business Partner

SALARY: £48,226 - £52,413 per annum + Benefits (see below)

LOCATION: Portishead, Bristol, with regular travel to sites across North Somerset, BANES and Bristol

JOB TYPE: Full Time, Permanent

WORKING HOURS: 37 Hours per Week

JOB OVERVIEW

This is an exciting opportunity for an Organisational Development Manager to lead the development and delivery of a strategic organisational development agenda across a large, Multi-Academy Trust.

As the Organisational Development Manager, you will support people initiatives that strengthen workforce planning, recruitment and retention, employee engagement, wellbeing, reward, organisational culture and continuous improvement.

Working closely with senior leaders and the wider People Team, the Organisational Development Manager will provide expert advice, lead strategic projects and use people analytics to support evidence-based decision-making and measurable improvements.

DUTIES

Your duties as the Organisational Development Manager include

People Strategy: Lead the implementation of the organisation’s People Strategy, ensuring workforce initiatives support organisational priorities and strategic objectives

Organisational Development: Develop and deliver programmes that promote employee engagement, performance, culture development and organisational effectiveness

Workforce Planning: Lead strategic workforce planning, succession planning and workforce modelling to identify risks, gaps and future workforce needs

Recruitment and Retention: Develop recruitment, attraction and retention strategies, including initiatives for hard-to-recruit roles and talent pipelines

Wellbeing Strategy: Lead the development, delivery and evaluation of wellbeing programmes that support attendance, engagement and retention

Culture and Inclusion: Strengthen employee voice, inclusion, belonging and culture, ensuring staff feedback informs continuous improvement

People Analytics: Produce workforce reports, dashboards and management information, using data to provide insight and recommendations

Policy Development: Lead the review and development of people policies and procedures, supporting compliance, best practice and organisational priorities

Job Evaluation: Coordinate the job evaluation framework and advise on grading, role design, staffing structures and organisational design

Stakeholder Engagement: Build effective relationships with senior leaders, headteachers and central teams, providing specialist organisational development advice

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS

ESSENTIAL

CIPD Chartered Member with a CIPD Level 7 qualification or equivalent professional qualification

Strategic organisational development experience, with strong knowledge of workforce planning, employee engagement, people analytics and change management

Proven ability to lead complex projects, deliver measurable outcomes and support continuous improvement

Good understanding of leadership development, talent management, succession planning, inclusion and organisational culture

Excellent communication, facilitation, presentation and stakeholder management skills

Strong analytical, planning and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex workforce data

Ability to influence, challenge and support senior leaders and colleagues across a multi-site organisation

Access to personal transport

DESIRABLE

Understanding of education HR, safeguarding requirements and Keeping Children Safe in Education

Postgraduate qualification in Organisational Development, Leadership or HR

Experience within a large multi-academy trust, local authority or complex public-sector organisation

Specialist knowledge of organisational design, workforce planning and diagnostic methodologies

Knowledge of current research, best practice and emerging trends in educational settings

Experience supporting cultural and behavioural change across an organisation

BENEFITS

Excellent pension scheme

Outstanding CPD and career development opportunities

Apprenticeships and training pathways

Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing support

24-hour confidential helpline and counselling

Healthcare Cash Plan

Cycle to Work Scheme

Electric car scheme launching in October 2026

Retail discounts and Blue Light Card eligibility

Free parking across sites

The organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Suitability to work with children and young people will form part of the selection process. As part of the shortlisting process an online search will be carried out. All appointments will be subject to vetting, including an enhanced DBS check.

APPLY TODAY…

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JOB REF: AWDO-P15084

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