Director of People and Organisational Development
đź’°Salary: Up to ÂŁ77, 595 per annum (depending on qualifications, skills and experience)
đź•’ Working Pattern: Full-time (37 hours per week / 52 weeks per year)
đź“ŤLocation: Cross Campus, but Sparsholt Campus, Winchester is base location
đź“…Closing date: 31 May 2026
Our Mission
Raising Aspirations, Unlocking Potential and Advancing Futures underpins everything we do at Sparsholt College Group. We exist to support our students, staff, employers and communities to thrive — through education, partnership, and a deep commitment to people.
Our Values
Excellence | Passion | Innovation | Sustainability | Teamwork | Integrity | Valuing Others | Supportiveness
The Role
We are seeking to appoint a Director of People & Organisational Development to provide strategic leadership of the people and organisational culture agenda across Sparsholt College Group. As a member of the Strategic Leadership Team, you will ensure that our people are at the heart of decision‑making and you will lead the delivery of our People Strategy, ensuring an outstanding service is delivered across the employee lifecycle from recruitment to retirement
This is a high‑impact role requiring professional credibility, sector awareness, and the ability to lead on complex people‑related activity
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strategic leadership for People and Organisational Development across the Group
- Lead delivery and continuous refinement of the People Strategy, with clear reporting to SLT and Corporation
- Act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders on organisational change, employee relations, workforce planning and professional development
- Ensure the organisation meets all employment legislation and safer recruitment obligations
- Embed staff wellbeing, inclusion, development and employee voice into everyday practice
- Lead and motivate a high‑performing People Services team
- Use workforce data, insight and staff feedback to inform evidence‑based decision‑making
- Support inclusion, Engagement & Wellbeing playing a pivotal role in embedding the College’s Inclusion Strategy into people practice.
- Champion inclusive recruitment, development and people management practices
- Lead the delivery of a proactive, data‑informed staff wellbeing strategy
- Strengthen employee voice through consultation, partnership working and effective communication
- Ensure staff understand how their contribution connects to our mission and values
About You
You will be an experienced, senior HR leader, with the credibility to operate at executive level and the ability to balance strategy with operational delivery.
Essential
- Professionally qualified (CIPD) with a relevant degree
- Significant senior leadership experience in a large, complex organisation
- Proven track record of designing and delivering people strategies and large‑scale HR programmes
- Strong employment law knowledge and practical application
- Excellent influencing, negotiation, communication and leadership skills
- Commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and staff wellbeing
Why Sparsholt College Group?
Sparsholt College Group is an ambitious, values‑driven organisation with a strong reputation for excellence, innovation and sector leadership. This role offers the opportunity to shape culture at scale, influence strategy, and make a meaningful difference to the lives of staff and students alike.
The College is committed to safeguarding and promotes the welfare of all learners and expects all staff to share this commitment.
All successful applicants will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring (DBS) check and to provide proof of their eligibility to work in the UK.