Organisational Development (OD) Advisor

Location: The designated office base is Abbey House, Abingdon. The councils operate in a truly flexible, and hybrid way where the focus is on outcomes not where you work.
Salary and grade: Grade 6, £44,747 per annum
Contract Type: 2 year Fixed Term Contract, 37 hours per week

Closing Date: 1 June 2025
Interview Date: 11 June 2025
 
About the role and what we’re looking for
 
Are you curious, collaborative, and organised? This is a superb opportunity for an experienced Organisational Development Advisor to join the team and support the councils to continue to develop their culture change programme.
 
The role will work with the People & Culture Team and a variety of key stakeholders to design, deliver and implement change programmes. Most importantly the role needs to ensure that our staff help shape and embrace the changes in working practices and culture that are required.
 
You will need to be visible around the councils, approachable, and have a genuine enthusiasm for delivering a customer focused HR service. You will need to stand your ground at times but also be prepared to compromise and find innovative solutions to scenarios.
 
Main duties and responsibilities:

Design and deliver organisational development and change management interventions and initiatives that support the councils’ strategic priorities and wider corporate goals
Ensure that all OD interventions and programmes are cost effective and appropriately evaluated to measure their impact on culture change within the councils and to promote equality, diversity, and inclusion
Work with colleagues across the councils and People & Culture team to support and advise on the appropriate organisation and team structures, identifying key skills and behaviours that support the councils’ overall objectives
Work with the Workforce and OD Lead and team to deliver an organisational leadership and management development framework to ensure we have the right people, in the right roles with the skills and behaviours for working in a hybrid culture now and in the future.
Work in collaboration with the Workforce and OD Team to deliver an organisational wide framework that supports talent development, coaching and mentoring learning and development, workforce planning and succession planning
Proactively research and keep up to date regarding OD best practice and new initiatives including networking at regional and national levels
To embed organisational development and change to meet the needs of the council, its staff and residents in the future.
To work with the Workforce and OD Team in HR-led training activities including developing content and online resources as well as delivering training for managers related to leadership and management skills.
To support the Workforce and OD Team in developing an online suite of learning materials to support the learning journey of all staff at all levels of the organisation including the continuous development of appropriate induction programmes for staff and managers.
About you
 
Your essential skills, knowledge, and experience

Excellent knowledge and understanding of OD processes and interventions which embed culture change
Excellent interpersonal, communication and coaching skills relating to employment matters
Ability to translate OD knowledge into clear and practical actions
Knowledge of, and experience in, change management principles and methodology
Strong ability to work collaboratively and build positive relationships with colleagues at all levels of the organisation
Analytical skills, with a good understanding of how data and information can inform/support OD and culture change
Excellent attention to detail and organisational skills
Sound written and report writing skills
Strong negotiation and persuasion skills
Experience of undertaking research and project work
Ability to act under own initiative and to work at pace
Your essential qualifications

Degree or relevant professional qualification or equivalent experience relating to HR or OD
Experience of delivering successful programmes of OD and culture change within a multi-faceted organisation
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Level 3
Qualification or working towards or equivalent experience.
 Evidence of continued professional development
If you have the following experience or qualifications – it’s a bonus

Previous experience of working in local government
Project management experience
The benefits we offer

A basic 25 days annual leave per annum, rising to 30 days after five years. You also have all the bank holidays to look forward to and time off between Christmas and New Year.
Flexible working and annualised hours – a flexible approach to work that our employees love!
Salary pay awards – most jobs give scope for a pay increase after six months or the following April (depending on your start date) and we also review salaries each April.
A generous career average pension scheme which includes life insurance of three times your salary
The opportunity to purchase a bike through Cyclescheme (cheaper than directly through a store) so that you can cycle to work!
Various schemes to keep you healthy (reduced gym membership, free swims, free eye tests for DSE users and more)
We give you two days per year to volunteer within the local community.
A range of resources, support, and activities to help you maintain your wellbeing including a monthly wellbeing hour in addition to annualised hours (the ability to work flexibly as long as, over the course of the year, you complete your contracted hours) and annual leave.
We look forward to hearing from you.

You may also have experience in the following: Organisational Development Consultant, OD and Change Advisor, People and Culture Advisor, Talent and OD Specialist, Change Management Advisor, Workforce Development Consultant, Organisational Effectiveness Specialist, Leadership Development Partner, etc.
 
REF-(Apply online only)