Marie Curie is the UK’s leading end-of-life charity. We are the largest non-NHS provider of end-of-life care in the UK, the only provider across all 4 nations, delivering community nursing and hospice care across the country, while providing information and support on all aspects of dying, death, and bereavement. Our leading research pushes the boundaries of what we know about good end-of-life, and our campaigns fight for a world where everyone gets to have the best possible quality of life while living with an illness they’re likely to die from.
We want a different society than the one we live in now. Our mission for the next five years is to close the gap in the number of people missing out on what they need at the end-of-life, through 3 ways:
• Growing and transforming our direct care and support
• Delivering more practical information and support
• Leading in shaping the end-of-life experience
This is a highly visible and senior role within our People & Organisational Development directorate. In collaboration with stakeholders across the organisation, our People & Organisational Development team is responsible for delivering Marie Curie’s People strategy. Ensuring our outputs are aligned with the needs of the business strategy, and meet customer’s needs whilst delivering value and impact.
Your role in our mission…
The Head of Talent and Development will lead the development and delivery of the talent development, performance management and learning frameworks and processes, aligning them with our business strategy, objectives and values. Ultimately ensuring that the organisation has people with the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience to meet its strategy and plans.
You will be entering the organisation at a time of significant change where there is an opportunity to review/diagnose our Talent & Development maturity level and design a roadmap for improvement. Scaling up the organisation to a level where Talent & Development is intrinsically connected to performance and business goals.
You will be operating in a ‘build-up’ environment in regards to talent management. Key to your success will be your ability to strategically partner with our People and Organisational Senior Leadership Team to influence and align on the creation of an accountable, high-performing, and values-driven culture. Underpinned by the planned rollout of a new behavioural framework across Marie Curie.
You will lead an innovative and collegiate Talent & Development team (x 3 direct reports and an overall team of x 9) – directing that team in its provision of a high-quality, professional service.
This is an ideal career opportunity for a commercially minded individual with expertise in talent management and development, having operated at a senior level in this field. You will bring a deep understanding of the impact that L&D can make on organisational culture and performance.
Additional Criteria for Success:
• Proven track record of delivering talent management solutions in large, complex organisations.
• Expertise in talent management and development, having operated at senior level in this field within the private sector (essential). Experience in both private and third sector (desirable).
• Experience in leading teams to provide high-impact and value-for-money L&D functions.
• Experience in design, delivery, implementation and running of organisational talent management and succession programmes.
• Skilled in driving change and creating a culture of innovation.
• Qualifications relating to L&D and Talent Management are desirable, as is CIPD accreditation. However, we will prioritise proven experience and impact in previous roles rather than a specific qualification.
Please see the full job description
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £70,000-£75,000 dependent on skills, knowledge and experience.
Location: This role can be hybrid or home-based and can be based anywhere within the UK. You will be expected to travel to our sites across the UK occasionally.
For those within commutable distance to London, you will have the option of working flexibly between home and in our modern open plan HQ in Embassy Gardens
Application & Interview Process
As part of your online application you will be asked for a CV and covering letter. Please review both the advert and job description and outline your most relevant skills, experience and knowledge for the role.
Close date for applications: Sun 4th August
Interviews/assessment: 1st stage interviews w/e 9th August and final stage w/e 16th August
Please note your availability over August in your covering letter and we will do our best to accommodate. We may also start screening calls in advance of the close date so early application is advised. Please email our Head of Talent Acquisition for any queries on the role or process.
Benefits you’ll LOVE:
• Flexible working. We’re happy to discuss flexible working at the interview stage.
• 25 days annual leave (exclusive of Bank Holidays)
• Marie Curie Group Personal Pension Scheme (we will match your contribution up to 7.5%)
• Loan schemes for bikes; computers and season tickets
• Continuous professional development opportunities.
• Industry-leading training programmes
• Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programmes
• Enhanced bereavement, family friendly and sickness benefits
• Access to Blue Light Card membership
• Subsidised Eye Care
Marie Curie is committed to its values, which underpin our work. We take stringent steps to ensure that the people who join our organisation through employment or volunteering, are suitable for their roles and are committed to safeguarding all our people from harm. This includes our staff, volunteers and all those who use or come into contact with our services. We are dedicated to creating not just a safe place to work but also a supportive and rewarding one.
We are committed to a world where everyone can thrive and fulfil their potential. We are devoted to the social justice imperatives and organisational benefits of full diversity, inclusion and equity in the workplace, and are a Stonewall champion. We actively encourage and welcome applications from candidates of diverse cultures, perspectives and lived experiences.
We're happy to accommodate any requests for reasonable adjustments. Please email any requests to