Band 3 - Organisational Development & Engagement Lead
Job Description
Job Purpose
As a key contributor within the HR Directorate, you will play a pivotal role in delivering Organisational Development (OD) initiatives aligned with the ONR Strategy 2025–2030 and the HR Directorate Plan. Working as part of a focused and agile OD team, you will lead and support a variety of culture and employee experience projects. Your expertise will be instrumental in designing and implementing OD interventions that drive cultural transformation and organisational change across the organisation.
In addition to the core responsibilities, a significant emphasis will be placed on promoting Equity & Inclusion throughout the organisation. You will champion initiatives that enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring that all employees feel valued and respected.
About The Role
Principal Responsibilities
1. Be an effective member of a small OD team, playing a pivotal role in driving meaningful and sustainable change in culture, engagement, and organisational performance across the organisation.
2. Develop and facilitate Equity & Inclusion plans with key stakeholders that are aligned with the ONR Strategy 2025–2030 and foster an inclusive & diverse workplace culture.
3. Collaborate with stakeholders to review and improve policies, processes, and practices to remove barriers and promote equal opportunities for all staff.
4. Facilitate workshops, training sessions, and awareness campaigns to build understanding of Equity & Inclusion issues and best practices across the organisation.
5. Monitor and assess the effectiveness of D&I initiatives, gathering feedback and data to inform future actions and support continuous improvement.
6. Lead and contribute to cross-organisational projects that enhance employee engagement, drive performance improvement, and foster a positive and inclusive culture aligned with ONR’s strategic direction.
7. Ensure the consistent embedding and long-term sustainability of OD initiatives, including robust evaluation of outcomes and impact.
8. Collaborate effectively across the HR Directorate and wider ONR teams to support people-focused initiatives and change programmes.
9. Promote inclusive practices that foster a sense of belonging and improve the employee experience.
10. Support and deliver OD processes, including coaching and mentoring programmes, to promote best practice and build organisational capability.
11. Research, implement and promote equity and inclusion initiatives and share best practice across the sector.
12. Provide advice, guidance and support on equity and inclusion issues to senior managers.
13. Work in close partnership with HR and Communications colleagues to ensure staff are informed, engaged, and supportive of change initiatives, with a clear understanding of their benefits and alignment to agreed principles.
Line Management Responsibilities
14. None currently, however, at this level there could be an expectation to manage staff in the future.
Location / Travel
This post may be undertaken from a base at any one of ONR’s office locations (Bootle, Cheltenham, or London).
ONR operates hybrid working (working in the office and or at home) as part of our flexible working policy. There is an expectation that everyone will spend time in the office on a regular basis, recognising that some work is better done face to face. Managers will work with their teams on what works best to meet individual, team, business and organisational needs to enable collaboration, as well as balancing personal choice and wellbeing.
Work with Us
Our colleagues are from all walks of life with varied personal experiences and career journeys into ONR. We want the best people for our roles. As an inclusive employer we value individuals’ contributions, regardless of their age, gender, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, social background, religion, or belief. Our values ‘supportive, open-minded, fair and accountable’ are central to this. We invest in our people to build capability, resilience, and promote wellbeing in our great teams, underpinned by our inherent focus on inclusion and excellence.
Security Clearance
The successful candidate will require BPSS.
Person Specification
Inclusion
We are committed to being an inclusive employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. We will consider reasonable adjustments to ensure the recruitment process is inclusive and barrier-free.
If you require reasonable adjustments as part of your application, please contact ONR HR as soon as possible, preferably before the vacancy closes, by emailing ONR.Human-Resources@onr.gov.uk/ or Stephanie.Glen@onr.gov.ukto discuss further.
We will also offer an interview to disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for applicants who opt into the guaranteed interview scheme.
We recognise we have a role to play in helping those leaving the Armed Forces and have a Veterans guaranteed interview scheme. We offer an interview to Veterans who meet the minimum criteria for applicants who opt into the scheme. Please see eligibility criteria below.
15. served for at least one year in His Majesty's Armed Forces (as a Regular or Reserve).
16. be in transition from, or ceased to be a member of, His Majesty’s Armed Forces.
17. not already be employed by ONR.
We welcome applications from all candidates who meet the eligibility criteria. While sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route may be considered, this is restricted to individuals who qualify as ‘new entrants’ in accordance with Home Office Skilled Worker policy.
Skills/Job Related Expertise
Essential
18. Demonstrated experience in leading, delivering and communicating organisational change initiatives, with a strong foundation in Equity and Inclusion principles and practices with evidence of practical application.
19. Proficiency in using data analytics tools to assess the impact and effectiveness of OD interventions and people-related policies.
20. Proven experience of working collaboratively with others at all levels within an organisation.
21. A proven ability to enhance employee experience through initiatives focused on cultural transformation and capability development.
22. Experience in building OD capability within an organisation, including upskilling others and embedding OD thinking across teams.
23. Proven organisational skills with the ability to work on multiple tasks and deliver at pace.
24. Knowledge of Organisational Development principles and proven ability to apply OD methodologies to drive continuous improvement, enhance organisational effectiveness, and support transformational initiatives.
Qualifications
Ideally CIPD qualified, or willing to work towards CIPD membership as part of ongoing professional development.