South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

Senior Organisational Development Practitioner

The closing date is 07 December 2025

Job summary

Are you passionate about driving cultural transformation and organisational effectiveness? We are seeking a Senior Organisational Development Practitioner to join our People Directorate. In this pivotal role, you will design, deliver, and evaluate high-impact Organisational Development (OD) initiatives that support our Trust's strategic goals.

You will lead key OD programmes, champion equality, diversity and inclusion, and provide expert HR advice across the organisation. The role involves operational delivery of OD programmes, supporting people metrics, and taking responsibility for assigned projects. You'll also deputise for the Organisational Development Consultant and provide leadership to OD Associates and the People Analytics Associate.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with significant project management experience, a strong understanding of organisational change, and a commitment to continuous improvement. If you are ready to make a real difference and support the development of our workforce, we would love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

  • Design, deliver, and evaluate a range of Organisational Development (OD) initiatives to drive transformation and continuous improvement, including succession planning, talent management, and career frameworks.
  • Lead assigned OD programmes aligned with Trust strategy and the People enabling strategy.
  • Support OD initiatives that meet wider NHS requirements, such as the NHS People Promise and People Professions development.
  • Act as an advocate for change, educating and supporting staff and managers.
  • Facilitate and support focus groups to ensure employee feedback shapes OD initiatives.
  • Prepare papers and recommendations for senior forums and committees.
  • Communicate complex information effectively to large groups and sub-committees.
  • Champion equality, diversity, and inclusion across all OD programmes and support staff networks.
  • Use people analytics to inform and improve OD initiatives and dashboards.
  • Support the annual NHS staff survey and quarterly Pulse Survey, helping to increase completion rates and acting on results.
  • Apply digital and technological solutions to OD initiatives.
  • Manage and support the work of OD Associates and the People Analytics Associate.

About us

Working for us is an experience like no other. We provide emergency and urgent care, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, operating across the largest ambulance region in England of 10,000 square miles and responding to an average of 2,650 incidents every day.

We remain committed to ensuring that we provide the best possible care for all our patients, which is reflected in our new five-year strategy which has continually improving patient care at its very core.

At the heart of our beautiful and diverse region we employ over 6000 people and are supported by over 575 volunteers.

If you embody our values of one team, compassionate and innovative and are looking to make a real difference to peoples' lives, then we would love to hear from you.

In return we will equip you with the skills, resources and development you need to thrive in your role.

You will have opportunities to progress to roles at a higher pay grade and enjoy continuous professional development.

Benefits

  • Competitive NHS salary
  • A standard working week of 37.5 hours
  • Holiday entitlements of 27 days per year, plus general and public holidays, rising to 29 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
  • Pay enhancements for out of hours, shift and overtime working
  • Generous Pension Scheme
  • Career and salary progression
  • Car leasing scheme
  • Free parking across Trust sites
  • Cycle-to-work and other salary sacrifice schemes
  • Staff networks
  • Access to a wide range of discounts from various organisations across the UK

Details

Date posted

25 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working, Compressed hours

Reference number

202-7607873

Job locations

Trust HQ South Western Ambulance Service

Exeter

EX2 7HY


Job description

Job responsibilities

For further information about this role please see the attached job description and person specification.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For further information about this role please see the attached job description and person specification.

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential

  • Grad CIPD (Level 7) or substantial evidence of continuing professional and personal development equivalent to this level.
  • Evidence of successful completion of specialist training and attendance at short courses in the areas of work of this post
  • Full UK Driving Licence

Desirable

  • Part qualified CIPD expected to achieve Grad CIPD within 12 months

Previous Experience

Essential

  • Significant experience of project management
  • Experience of supporting successful programmes of work at an organisational level

Desirable

  • Previous experience of leading projects with an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion lens

Skills, Knowledge, Ability

Essential

  • Knowledge and understanding of using people data metrics to influence organisational development decision making
  • Able to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing including analysing and presenting information of a complex, sensitive or contentious nature

Desirable

  • Specialist knowledge of organisational development practices and application
Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential

  • Grad CIPD (Level 7) or substantial evidence of continuing professional and personal development equivalent to this level.
  • Evidence of successful completion of specialist training and attendance at short courses in the areas of work of this post
  • Full UK Driving Licence

Desirable

  • Part qualified CIPD expected to achieve Grad CIPD within 12 months

Previous Experience

Essential

  • Significant experience of project management
  • Experience of supporting successful programmes of work at an organisational level

Desirable

  • Previous experience of leading projects with an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion lens

Skills, Knowledge, Ability

Essential

  • Knowledge and understanding of using people data metrics to influence organisational development decision making
  • Able to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing including analysing and presenting information of a complex, sensitive or contentious nature

Desirable

  • Specialist knowledge of organisational development practices and application

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).

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).

Employer details

Employer name

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Trust HQ South Western Ambulance Service

Exeter

EX2 7HY


Employer's website

https://www.swast.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Trust HQ South Western Ambulance Service

Exeter

EX2 7HY


Employer's website

https://www.swast.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Organisational Development Consultant

Erica Adams

Erica.Adams@swast.nhs.uk

Details

Date posted

25 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working, Compressed hours

Reference number

202-7607873

Job locations

Trust HQ South Western Ambulance Service

Exeter

EX2 7HY


Supporting documents

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