Job overview
University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust employs around 10, staff and delivers highly regarded healthcare services to local communities. We are undergoing an ambitious period of transformation, including major investment in our hospital estate, service redesign, and a clear focus on delivering sustainable, high quality care for the future. At the heart of this transformation is our People agenda and the ambition to be a Great Place to Work, underpinned by inclusive leadership, strong engagement, and a culture that supports our people to deliver their best for patients. You will be joining the Trust at a pivotal time, working within a newly forming Senior Leadership team led by the Chief People Officer, who brings extensive experience across the public and private sectors, national leadership roles within NHS England, and a strong track record in leading complex change, shaping people strategy (including the People Promise), and championing inclusive leadership. The People Directorate plays a critical role in enabling the workforce to thrive and supporting excellent patient care. Following the coming together of local hospitals, the development of the Patient First improvement strategy, expanded pan-Dorset collaboration, and the imminent introduction of a new electronic patient record system, there is an exciting programme of work ahead and a genuine opportunity to contribute to the next phase of the Trust’s transformation. Main duties of the job This is a senior Trust wide leadership role, operating at executive level, with accountability for shaping and leading the organisation’s organisational development, culture, leadership and inclusion agenda. As Associate Director of Organisational Development, Culture and Leadership, you will provide enterprise level leadership for how culture, leadership capability, engagement, talent and inclusion are developed and sustained across the Trust. You will act as the Trust’s senior professional expert in organisational development and culture, ensuring these agendas are fully integrated into corporate strategy, decision making and delivery. Working as part of the Trust’s senior leadership community, you will advise, influence and support the Executive Team and Board, ensuring organisational development and culture are positioned as critical enablers of quality, safety, workforce sustainability and performance. You will also act as a senior system leader, representing UHD with authority at regional and national level and contributing to wider system leadership and collaboration. The role provides senior leadership to the Organisational Development, Leadership and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion teams, including the Freedom to Speak Up Guardians, and will deputise for the Chief People Officer within the portfolio as required. Working for our organisation This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the culture and leadership of a major NHS organisation at a pivotal point in its transformation, with visible impact on patient care, staff experience and organisational sustainability. You will join a supportive and ambitious executive leadership environment, with genuine scope to influence strategy, culture and long-term outcomes. The Trust offers the full NHS benefits package, including generous annual leave and pension arrangements. UHD are investing, developing and transforming Trust services in line with the New Hospital Programme. As part of this, some services may move site this year or next, either temporarily or permanently. Recruiting Managers will be happy to answer any service-specific questions at interview. If a role or service relocates as part of a planned move, excess mileage will not be reimbursed. Travel from home to the new work base will be classed as a normal commute. Any other changes will be managed under Trust or national terms and conditions. UHD has active networks including Women’s, BAME, Pride, EU, Pro Ability, and Armed Forces. We support Disability Confident and Armed Forces Covenant interview schemes. AI tools may be used, but applications must honestly reflect your own skills and experience. Integrity is key to our recruitment process. Detailed job description and main responsibilities Shape and lead the Trust’s organisational development, culture and engagement strategies, ensuring alignment with the Trust’s mission, values and long-term strategic objectives. Provide executive leadership for the cultural elements that complement the Patient First Improvement Programme, enabling new and improved ways of working across UHD and the wider Integrated Care System. Lead the development and delivery of Trust wide leadership and management development strategies, aligned to the NHS Leadership Compact and Trust values. Establish and oversee a systematic approach to talent management and succession planning for critical roles, including the delivery of a Trust wide Talent Management Strategy. Act as the Trust’s senior lead for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, ensuring EDI principles are embedded across organisational development, leadership, engagement and culture. Provide executive oversight of the Trust’s staff engagement approach, including the annual NHS Staff Survey and pulse surveys, ensuring insight is translated into meaningful, sustained improvement. Build and maintain strong internal and external partnerships, influencing senior leaders and system partners to support organisational effectiveness, leadership maturity and cultural change. You will be a highly credible, enterprise-level leader, with the presence, judgement and authority to operate confidently at Executive Board and system level. You will bring: Extensive experience of leading organisational development, culture change and leadership development at scale within a complex organisation. A strong track record of shaping and delivering Trust wide OD and cultural strategies with measurable impact. Experience of advising, influencing and supporting Executive leaders and senior stakeholders. Highly developed leadership, coaching and facilitation skills, with the ability to lead other senior leaders and specialist teams. A clear and demonstrable commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and to embedding inclusive practice at organisational level. A Master’s qualification (or equivalent experience) and CIPD membership (or equivalent) are required. Our closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 22nd February Shortlisting will take place on Monday 23rd February We will be contacting applicants from Tuesday the 24th February onwards The selection process will take place on Thursday 12th March or Friday 13th March - please ensure you are available on these dates Person specification Experience Essential criteria Significant experience working in organisational development, organisational design, leadership development, learning or workforce roles within a large, complex, multi-professional organisation Extensive, successful track record of leading large-scale organisational development strategies and interventions, including cultural change and leadership development Substantial senior HR/OD experience operating at a very senior level, including working closely with and influencing Executive team members Experience of managing teams and holding budgetary responsibility Experience of chairing, reporting to, or presenting at senior committees or boards Desirable criteria Healthcare experience Qualifications Essential criteria Master’s qualification or equivalent experience. Fellow or Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) or equivalent. Desirable criteria Specialist OD, leadership development or learning qualification. Knowledge Essential criteria Specialist knowledge of organisational development, organisational design and leadership development