Please note this vacancy is only open to current University of Glasgow employees.

Job Purpose

The Organisational Development Partner will work as part of the Organisational Development team with a focus on designing and implementing a range of organisational development initiatives. This will involve working from initial contact to the evaluation phase and providing OD and people development expertise, leading on projects and a range of development interventions with a diverse range of stakeholders, and contributing as an OD expert within project streams of larger, more complex programmes of work. There is a focus on a broad range of organisational development interventions within organisational change, cultural change, leadership and management and learning and development.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. To understand and effectively assess strategic business requirements and organisational benefits by outlining the case for change and applying a range of cultural analytics and diagnostics, designing and delivering fit for purpose cultural change initiatives and planning in partnership with key stakeholders to evaluate and assess outcomes.

2. To provide expertise, leadership, and advice on tools and techniques to enhance organisational effectiveness through cultural change, building on organisational capability and capacity through people.

3. To apply strong data analysis skills and be able to synthesise a range of strategic imperatives with information and data, considering opportunities/options and deriving HR and organisational insight to inform approaches, methods and plans.

4. To plan and deliver OD interventions as part of the broader transformation programme through defining, planning, delivering work, and evaluating outcomes that meet agreed objectives.

5. To be able to assess the specific impact on people resulting from organisational change projects and related work to ensure these aspects are well defined within plans with risks and strategies scoped.

6. To design, develop, and deliver bespoke organisational development initiatives, learning and development resources/initiatives and associated material for university staff as linked to the change agenda. This includes researching, planning, drafting and producing course and workshop materials, online learning materials, guides, and self-study packs.

7. To facilitate a range of development and team based events (e.g., away days, planning, and teambuilding) for a broad range of organisational groupings (e.g., professional services and academic) and a broad range of staff (front line through to leadership / management teams).

8. To identify strategies for stakeholder engagement and manage implementation including communication and delivery plans.

9. To be recognised as an experienced and knowledgeable change agent with a consultative and business partner approach to scoping, influencing and delivering people change solutions.

10. To conduct research on the latest thinking within and outwith the sector focusing on broad organisational change and be able to apply that in practical and relevant ways.

11. To build credible working relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders across the University including project teams (e.g., business improvement specialists, subject matter experts, stakeholders, and senior sponsors); and senior leaders and managers (e.g., academic and professional services).

12. To build effective working partnerships within the People & OD community to ensure joined up approaches and deliverables with a focus on consultation, engagement, and communication.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience 

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential:

A1 Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary professional knowledge and management skills in a similar or number of different specialist roles. Or: Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 9,10, or 11 (Ordinary/Honours Degree, Post Graduate Qualification), or equivalent, including being professionally qualified in relevant discipline, with a broad range of professional experience in a management role(s).

A2 Knowledge of approaches to organisational development linked to cultural and organisational change and building and developing leadership and management capability.

Desirable:

B1 Knowledge of the HE sector.

B2 CIPD Qualification.

B3 Licensed with the British Psychological Society (e.g., Occupational Testing Level A/B or Test User Occupational Ability/Personality).

B4 Qualified to Occupational Psychologist level.

B5 Recognised coaching qualification.

B6 Licensed in other relevant psychometric tools.

B7 Knowledge of organisational design and employee engagement.

Skills 

Essential:

C1 Ability to diagnose people change requirements, design, and implement appropriate interventions.

C2 Ability to build credibility and work collaboratively to manage a range of diverse stakeholders, establish effective working relationships, and consider other perspectives in influencing and negotiating mutually acceptable outcomes.

C3 Ability to develop and implement a range of organisational development and learning and development interventions (e.g., team building, strategic planning sessions, engagement events, focus groups, etc.) and evaluate outcomes and organisational impact.

C4 Ability to understand the change agenda, work independently to determine appropriate priorities, manage resources, and build related work plans while managing expectations of stakeholders.

C5 Ability to understand, synthesise, and identify potential solutions through consultancy skills and considering the strategic context, people, change, and desired outcomes.

C6 Ability to think strategically and be externally minded, with strong data analysis driven insights and practical organisational application.

C7 Ability to work in a complex environment and remain positive, enthusiastic, resilient, and agile.

C8 Ability to work in a team and effectively communicate and engage with staff at all levels and occupational groups within the University, including dealing effectively with challenging situations.

C9 Ability to be a resilient self-starter with capability to influence and persist, overcome resistance, and build trust and credibility.

C10 Excellent facilitation and presentation skills.

Desirable:

D1 Ability to develop a range of written materials suitable for a variety of OD related initiatives (e.g., plans, proposals, workshops, reference material, etc.).

D2 Ability to work in a project environment with skills in planning, delivering, and evaluating results.

Experience 

Essential:

E1 Experience of organisational development and learning and development including research, design, development, and delivery of a variety of organisational development and learning and development initiatives.

E2 Experience of working with a range of senior stakeholders.

E3 Experience of identifying and implementing change initiatives broadly linked to cultural and organisational change.

E4 Experience of working in a complex environment with a broad organisational culture.

Desirable:

F1 Experience of working in higher education.

F2 Experience of working on a change programme delivered broad organisational change with a focus on continuous improvement and culture change.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 8, £50,253 - £58,225 per annum.

This post is full time (35 hours p/w) and open ended.

Closing date: 24 November 2025.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University  https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.