About this role
Job summary
Join MFT as our Director of Organisational Development & Inclusion and drive your career to new heights, at one of the largest and most complex NHS Trusts in England.This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of organisational development, leadership, inclusion, and culture across MFT. You will play a pivotal role in developing and delivering strategic programmes that support our people, strengthen our culture, and enable us to be the best place for people to work.We are seeking an experienced and inspirational leader with a passion for creating inclusive environments where our people can thrive. You will bring insight, credibility, and a strong track record of leading transformational change, developing leadership capability and fostering cultures where diversity is valued, voices are heard and everyone feels they belong. Quite simply, creating the most positive experience for our staff will be at the heart of everything you do.Your experience and understanding of how positive organisational cultures develop is crucial, as is your ability to be able to nurture an inclusive workplace where everyone feels they belong. However, above all else, you'll be a leader who leads with compassion and can demonstrate how you have been able to lead a team to success through your visible approach, particularly to those who work directly within your team.
Main duties of the job
A key part of this role will be working alongside our amazing leaders across MFT to shape and deliver organisational development and inclusion programmes that ensure every colleague, wherever they work in the organisation, has a positive experience and feels valued, respected, and able to belong.
You will lead a talented team of Organisational Development and Inclusion professionals, creating the conditions for them to thrive, grow and deliver outstanding work. Together, you will champion initiatives that strengthen our culture, develop our leaders and teams, and help MFT realise its full potential as an inclusive employer and one of the best places to work in the NHS.
Further details can be found in the Candidate Information Pack. If you would like an informal conversation about the role, please contact [email protected] to arrange a discussion.
About us
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) is the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe. We are an ambitious organisation, serving over 1 million patients and users annually through our 10 hospitals and extensive community services. With a workforce of 30,000 plus, we are a driving force for innovation, clinical excellence, and system leadership across Greater Manchester.As a senior leader at MFT, you will shape strategy and transformation at scale, working alongside a diverse, high-performing executive team. Our £3bn plus turnover and leading-edge digital infrastructure, including the Hive EPR, enable us to deliver integrated, patient-centred care and drive continuous improvement.We are committed to fostering an inclusive, values-led culture where your expertise, vision, and leadership will directly influence organisational direction and population health outcomes. You will have the opportunity to lead complex change, champion research and innovation, and develop future talent in a supportive, collaborative environment.Join us to make a lasting impact--on our Trust, our communities, and the future of healthcare.
Job description Job responsibilities
IMPORTANT CANDIDATE INFORMATION
To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience youll need for this role, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Documents to download heading.
Explore Inside MFT Your Candidate Place
To help you feel confident, prepared and fully informed before you apply, we invite you to explore Inside MFT Your Candidate Place. This welcoming onestop hub gives you a real sense of who we are, what we stand for, how we reward and support you, and the many ways we care for you as you care for others. Youll also find practical hints and tips for submitting a great application, along with the essential information you need to know before you apply.
To access Inside MFT Your Candidate Place, simply click on the relevant PDF document under the Documents to download heading and once opened, you can either scan QR code or click on the link provided.
Closing vacancy listings early
We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.To help us manage applications fairly and give each one the time it deserves, our adverts may close early if we receive a high level of interest. Early applications are therefore encouraged.
Diversity MattersMFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application
Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, were proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOU, for our patients, our communities, and each other.As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your application, especially personal statements and responses to role specific questions is written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.
Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
As part of our commitment to safeguarding patients and staff, many roles at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. This is a standard process across the NHS and helps us ensure a safe environment for everyone.
What is a DBS Check?
A DBS check is a background check that reveals any criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands, or warnings. The level of check required depends on the role:
Standard DBS: Checks for spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings.
Enhanced DBS: Includes the above, plus any additional information held by local police thats considered relevant to the role.
Enhanced with Barred Lists: Includes all of the above, plus checks against the childrens and/or adults barred lists.
Who Needs a DBS Check
Most roles involving direct patient contact, working with children or vulnerable adults, or access to sensitive information will require a DBS check. The job advert and recruitment team will let you know if this applies to your role.
The Costs for a DBS
At Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), roles that require a DBS check are subject to a cost recovery policy. This means that the cost of submitting and processing a DBS application if you are successful and join us, will be deducted from your salary within the first three months of employment. If, however, you withdraw from a conditional offer after the DBS process has begun, you will still be liable for the cost incurred.
For more information about the cost of the various types of DBS, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dbs-fees-are-changing-in-december
DBS Update Service
Candidates are also expected to register with the DBS Update Service which must be completed within 30 days of the certificate being issued. This helps streamline future employment checks and supports safer recruitment practices. For more information, please visit the DBS Update Service.
Person Specification
Qualifications - Academic / Professional Essential
High level of general education to degree level or equivalent. Educated to Master's level or holder of relevant professional qualification in Organisational Development, Change, Social Psychology or similar field (or equivalent experience). Track record of continuous personal and professional development.
Desirable
Chartered Member of the Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) or demonstrable equivalent experience.
Strategic Leadership Essential
Significant experience working at a senior level within a similarly complex organisation. A high-level understanding of the national NHS agenda and the contribution of equality at both a strategic and operational level. In-depth knowledge of a number of disciplines such as EDI, OD, Strategy and leadership. Able to facilitate change in a way that inspires and engages the organisation. Successful track record in a senior OD role operating in a complex environment/sector. Significant track record of building leadership capability, team development, facilitation, and OD skills. Proven track record of leading the development of compassionate and inclusive cultures from team to organisation level; Able to demonstrate an in-depth understanding of corporate and business issues with a strong emphasis on quality. Track record in the successful management & leadership of a HR/OD function. A proven ability to deliver consistently to best practice standards of OD. Able to work across professional and organisational boundaries and in partnership with a wide range of key stakeholders to deliver high quality outcomes.
Experience Essential
Significant experience working at a senior level within a similarly complex organisation. A high-level understanding of the national NHS agenda and the contribution of equality at both a strategic and operational level. In-depth knowledge of a number of disciplines such as EDI, OD, Strategy and leadership. Able to facilitate change in a way that inspires and engages the organisation. Successful track record in a senior OD role operating in a complex environment/sector. Significant track record of building leadership capability, team development, facilitation, and OD skills. Proven track record of leading the development of compassionate and inclusive cultures from team to organisation level. Able to demonstrate an in-depth understanding of corporate and business issues with a strong emphasis on quality. Track record in the successful management & leadership of a HR/OD function. A proven ability to deliver consistently to best practice standards of OD.
Desirable
Able to work across professional and organisational boundaries and in partnership with a wide range of key stakeholders to deliver high quality outcomes.
Wider NHS and health context Essential
Demonstrates understanding of the wider NHS agenda and challenges.
Personal Attributes Essential
Highly developed OD skill-set, including ability to diagnose organisational / systemic issues to identify areas for improvement and develop targeted interventions; Regularly undertakes research and development in relation to organisational development and capability requirements, including horizon scanning for upcoming good practice, benchmarking with other organisations/industries to add value to our internal OD and EDI services, triangulation of data to provide meaningful analysis of organisational trends and regularly maintains own continuous professional development; Strong interpersonal skills and personal credibility, able to show honesty and integrity, and quickly gain the confidence of and build relationships with others, including managers, clinicians, and staff. Innovation and creativity - ability to make decisions that encourages new ways of working and develop a culture of innovation. Curious and open to new ideas with a willingness to take calculated risks. Achievement focused - has a vision for the future and how to get there delivering actions to achieve continuous improvement and organisational goals. Politically astute. Demonstrates integrity and self-awareness, holding self to account and able responds constructively to challenge. Resilient under pressure and in the face of adversity with a strong ability to manage competing priorities. Sets high standards for self and team and motivates and inspires others to achieve these. Committed to building a culture of continuous learning and improvement; creating a shared purpose building motivation and commitment. Initiative - sees opportunities and acts on them - demonstrates a can-do attitude. Decision making - ability to make decisions based on an analysis of key financial, people or service concepts. Strong ability to communicate with credibility, trust and respect, adapting style for the situation and able to work collaboratively and inclusively with a range of colleagues from different backgrounds. Acts as a role model for NHS values, demonstrating compassion in delivery, and has a personal commitment to building equality and inclusion.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details Employer name Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Address Cobbett House, Oxford Road Campus
Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9WL
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://mft.nhs.uk/careers/ (Opens in a new tab)