Salary - £61,399 - £65,157 (negotiable dependent on experience)
Hybrid and flexible working (50/50)
Location: Wallingford, Bangor, Lancaster, Edinburgh
Closing date: Monday 1 June 2026. We reserve the right to close this advert early if we find the right candidate, so we encourage you to apply early
Are you an experiencedTalent& Culture Manager,learninganddevelopment leadortransformation leadwho enjoys driving positive change and helping people do their best work?
Reporting to theHeadof Peopleand leading asmalltalentteamwe’reseekinga thoughtfulandstrategic professional to join our People team on a 12-month maternity cover from August 2026.You’lllead a collaborative, values-driven team,shapingand deliveringorganisation-wide learning andleading ontransformationinitiativesthat build capability, strengthen culture, and support our people to thrive.
As a trusted partner,you’llwork closely with senior leaders to shape and deliver people developmentand transformationsolutions aligned to UKCEH’s goals.You’lltranslate strategic priorities into practical action, with a particular focus on leading an exciting culture transformation programme.
In this senior role,you’llplay a key part in strengthening leadership capability, enhancing the employee experience, and supporting inclusive, high-performing ways of working.You’llbuild strong relationships and confidently influence senior stakeholders across the organisation.
Your main responsibilities will include:
1. Leading, supporting and coaching a team, creating a positive, collaborativeenvironmentand encouraginggrowththrough acoaching‑ledapproach
2. Leading aUKCEH‑wideculturetransformationprogramme, designing,deliveringand evaluating initiatives that support leadership capability, behaviours,inclusionand overall employee experience.
3. Working in partnership with senior leaders to understand organisational development needs and help shape these into clear, achievable plans
4. Designing and commissioning learning and organisational development activities, ensuring they are aligned with business priorities and reflect inclusive, thoughtful practices.
5. Building internal capability for learning delivery, supporting colleagues and leaders to share knowledge and develop others
6. Supporting theearly careers advisorwith thedevelopmentof early career researchers, including employees and students, helping to nurture future talent across UKCEH
7. Using data and insight to understand impact, helping to ensure people development and culture initiatives continue to evolve and add value
8. Overseeing career development and internal progression processes, ensuring fairness,consistencyand alignment with UKCEH frameworks
9. Contributing to wider people initiatives, including workforce planning,recruitmentand EEDI activity where appropriate
There’snever been a more exciting time to join UKCEH. Our new five-year strategy, launched in 2024, has sparked a wave of energy and optimism across the organisation, ushering in a period of transformation and renewal. This is an opportunity to contribute to a new chapter in UKCEH’s story: to help translate vision into action, foster innovation, and ensure that every part of the organisation is connected by a clear and purposeful ‘golden thread’ from strategy through to delivery, making a significant impact on the future of environmental science.
For this role we’re looking for someone with a genuine passion for learning, culture and organisational development - someone who thrives in a collaborative environment, brings fresh thinking, and is motivated by making a meaningful difference, while approaching their work with professionalism, care and a focus on delivering high-quality outcomes.
For the role ofTalent & CultureManager,we’relooking for somebody who:
10. Brings professional qualifications or equivalent experience within a senior L&D,ODor people development role
11. Has proven experience leading or supporting organisational change and shaping positive, inclusive cultures - ideally within complex or multi-site environments
12. Can translate strategic priorities into clear, practical, and time-bound people and culture initiatives, delivering meaningful impact within a fixed-term remit
13. Hasa track recordof leading, managing, and developing teams, keeping energy and momentum high through periods of change or transition. Strong coaching and facilitation skills are essential.
14. Communicates with clarity and confidence, tailoring messages to different audiences
15. Skilled in stakeholder engagement, with the ability to influence, advise, and constructively challenge senior leaders and can build credibility and strong relationships at senior levels.
16. Takes a thoughtful, evidence-based approach to decision-making, balancing long-term vision with the need to deliver in the here and now.
17. Is open to travelling across UKCEH sites when needed, supporting collaboration and connection across the organisation
18. Desirable:Brings experience or an understanding of Equality, Diversity,Equityand Inclusion (EEDI), with the ability to embed inclusive practices across recruitment, learning, organisational culture, and leadership.
Apply Today – Supporting Statement Questions
If this opportunity excites you and aligns with your career goals,we’dlove to hear from you. Pleasesubmityour CV along with a covering letter highlighting your most relevant qualifications, skills, and experience.
We’reparticularly interested in hearing about your experience of leading or contributing to culture or organisational development initiatives
Working for UKCEH is rewarding
We appreciate the continuous dedication and contributions of our staff, which is why we provide a comprehensive benefits package that includes financial incentives and wellbeing-orientedperks, such as:
19. more...
At UKCEH, we are committed to fostering an inclusive andequitableworkplace where everyone—regardless of background, identity, ability, or circumstance—has the opportunity tothrive. As a Disability Confident employer, we actively encourage applications from neurodivergent candidates and those with disabilities. We are happy to provide any adjustments or support you may need throughout the application process—pleasedon’thesitate to reach out. So, ifyou’reexcited about this role but your experiencedoesn’talign perfectly with every requirement,we’dlove to hear from you anyway. You may be just the right fit for this role or another within our wider team.
Please note: Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role, and this does not qualify for endorsement to support a Global Talent Visa application. If you are considering pursuingself-sponsorship, please indicate this in your application so we can take it into account during the recruitment process.