Job summary Step into Leadership Excellence: Become Our Associate Director of Retention and Organisational Development We are looking for an inspiring, kind and engaging Associate Director of Retention and Organisational Development to join our team. This pivotal role offers a unique opportunity to make a tangible impact on our organisation's culture, people, and future success. The more we can do to help staff experiences, the better mental health services we give to our patients and their families. This is a really senior role, focussing every day on the real experiences of around 5,000 enthusiastic staff who are provide life-improving services to thousands of people in need of professional, compassionate mental health services from the NHS. As the driving force behind staff retention and organisational development strategies, you'll lead strategic improvement programmes, cultural change initiatives, leadership development and inclusive-ways of working. You'll play a key role in influencing senior leaders, managing complex challenges, and crafting innovative approaches to workforce matters all while championing the values of inclusion, well-being, and development. Making our Trust a great place to work. Main duties of the job Your Background: We're looking for someone with demonstrable experience in: Being a really good line manager. Leading cultural initiatives in complex environments. Line management and strategy development at senior levels. Partnering with senior teams to drive impactful change. Additionally, you'll bring: Kindness Good communication approaches and style A relevant degree or equivalent working experience in HR or organisational development. Professional body membership and ongoing professional development. An unwavering commitment to improvements in line with our Trust values. Desirable Extras: Coaching qualifications, psychometric expertise, or specialist OD tools. NHS or public sector experience. Budget management expertise and an ability to navigate complex environments. Why Join Us? As a member of our senior leadership team, you'll collaborate with our Director for People and other visionary leaders, enjoying a challenging and rewarding role where no two days are the same. With our commitment to well-being, diversity, and inclusion, you'll contribute to a positive, friendly culture that prioritises people's experiences at work. Interested? Let's Talk We really, really want potential candidates to connect with us for an informal discussion. Reach out to carole.pereznhs.net to arrange a video call with Julian, our Director for People. About us We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust): a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care. We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire and in parts of Dorset. Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care. AWP is committed to support and create a positive research and evidence-based environment and culture, which can have a beneficial impact on everyone who works for the organisation and the care we provide to those who use our services. At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds; we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger. Date posted 10 March 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 8d Salary £88,168 to £101,677 a year Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 342-CS018-0325 Job locations Bath NHS House Newbridge Hill Bath BA1 3QE Job description Job responsibilities The Associate Director of Retention and Organisational Development provides strategic trust-wide leadership for key areas including organisational development (OD), learning and development, health and wellbeing, engagement, recognition, on-boarding and equality, diversity & inclusion (EDI). This role is pivotal in designing, delivering, and evaluating initiatives that enhance the employee experience, contributing to improved attraction, retention, and engagement right across the organisation. As a senior leader within the People Directorate, the associate director will proactively ensure the function is appropriately led and resourced to deliver on strategic priorities. This includes fostering the development and growth of the employee experience and OD team, as well as supporting the broader people team and other AWP department leaders towards achieving their goals. Legal and regulatory compliance for the AWP workforce are also core requirements. As one of the most senior managers in the Trust, the post holder will lead and engage with a range of Trust-wide initiatives, some of which may be outside of their usual day-to-day work, for the benefit of the Trust and our staff and patients. The post holder will also take part in the (infrequent) associated on-call rota. Please see Job Description for a full list of duties and responsibilities. Job description Job responsibilities The Associate Director of Retention and Organisational Development provides strategic trust-wide leadership for key areas including organisational development (OD), learning and development, health and wellbeing, engagement, recognition, on-boarding and equality, diversity & inclusion (EDI). This role is pivotal in designing, delivering, and evaluating initiatives that enhance the employee experience, contributing to improved attraction, retention, and engagement right across the organisation. As a senior leader within the People Directorate, the associate director will proactively ensure the function is appropriately led and resourced to deliver on strategic priorities. This includes fostering the development and growth of the employee experience and OD team, as well as supporting the broader people team and other AWP department leaders towards achieving their goals. Legal and regulatory compliance for the AWP workforce are also core requirements. As one of the most senior managers in the Trust, the post holder will lead and engage with a range of Trust-wide initiatives, some of which may be outside of their usual day-to-day work, for the benefit of the Trust and our staff and patients. The post holder will also take part in the (infrequent) associated on-call rota. Please see Job Description for a full list of duties and responsibilities. Person Specification Qualifications, Skills & Experience Essential Educated to Degree level in HRM, OD, Employment Law or related management qualification or equivalent criteria Meaningful experience in a complex public sector or preferably NHS organisation Personable, appropriate style of communicating Evidence of delivering effective staff engagement strategies and policies Substantial HR / OD experience, and track record, of working at very senior level management level Person Specification Qualifications, Skills & Experience Essential Educated to Degree level in HRM, OD, Employment Law or related management qualification or equivalent criteria Meaningful experience in a complex public sector or preferably NHS organisation Personable, appropriate style of communicating Evidence of delivering effective staff engagement strategies and policies Substantial HR / OD experience, and track record, of working at very senior level management level 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). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Additional information 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). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Employer details Employer name Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust Address Bath NHS House Newbridge Hill Bath BA1 3QE Employer's website http://www.awp.nhs.uk/about-us/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)