Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trusts

Learning & Organisational Development Project Lead

The closing date is 28 September 2025

Job summary

The L&OD Project Lead role will lead on the management and delivery of management development activity across the organisation, enabling colleagues to be great people managers in support of Trust Strategy in Culture & Leadership. The programme of activity currently includes Managers Orientation, a First-time People Managers' Programme and our new Team Leaders' Programme that launched in July, all 2200 team leaders across the Trust will be invited to attend.

This role will work collaboratively with colleagues across the wider Learning & Organisational Development service and other stakeholders / partnering teams to design, facilitate and evaluate programmes of work. The postholder will provide operational leadership to support the delivery of each programme within the portfolio and strategic leadership to proactively determine how the portfolio needs to evolve for maximum impact.

The role requires a good grounding of leadership and management theory, and prior experience of setting up effective learning spaces, and leading on multiple complex programmes of work. The post holder will need to be highly motivated, confident working in an adaptive environment, and take a proactive, positive and customer-focused approach. This role will require leadership to L&OD team members, supporting the facilitation of team meetings and undertaking supervisory duties where necessary.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will need to live and breathe our values of being kind, inclusive, ambitious and working as one team. You will:

demonstrate commitment to the needs of the service and its people

work beyond the boundaries

have a bias towards considered action, with the skill to quickly spot an issue, define the challenge, and move to fix it

think creatively to identify opportunities and be tenacious in your determination to execute a plan.

In return you can expect a flexible working environment where you are supported to be challenged, excited and celebrated. You will immediately see that you are genuinely making a difference and the value you add to the Trust and its people.

This role is open to flexible and hybrid working.

About us

We are the largest employer in Nottinghamshire and one of the biggest and busiest NHS Trusts in the country, serving more than 2.5m residents of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire and a further four million people across the East Midlands and beyond. Our Trust spans over three sites including Queen's Medical Centre (QMC), Nottingham City Hospital and Ropewalk House. We provide a range of national and internationally renowned specialist services, and we are at the forefront of new surgical procedures and research programmes.

The Trust vision is that by 2026 NUH will 'create a culture where staff feel safe, supported and included, where individual differences and variety are valued and where people have equal access to the same opportunities.' The Organisational Development team is instrumental in helping the organisation and its people achieve this vision.

Details

Date posted

12 September 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

Reference number

164-7391385-A

Job locations

Nottingham University Hospital, City Hospital campus

Hucknall Road

Nottingham

NG5 1PB


Job description

Job responsibilities

Leadership/Strategy

1. Lead key programmes of work across the L&OD portfolio, with a focus on management development activity, contributing to the development of the NUH strategic programmes

2. Provide expert leadership and guidance in a relevant topic aligned to the L&OD portfolio e.g. leadership and management, team working, learning and development

3. Lead short- and long-term project teams / interventions, to support the development of appropriate programmes that meet the needs of employees and Trust objectives.

4. Research, review and make proposals that will drive Trust Strategy and align to both NUH policy and procedures, and values and behaviours.

5. Manage the progress of key objectives / programmes of work, reporting performance across the organisation on a regular basis.

6. Work with the team to ensure alignment between L&OD projects, key deliverables and the Trusts strategic priorities.

7. Identify opportunities for externally funded training and development and incorporate into the offer available to employees.

8. Network across the organisation, developing effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders from across all professional groups, to identify and scope service development needs.

9. Support the L&OD senior team to lead the L&OD function in the delivery of key programmes of work that support the Trusts strategic priorities.

Operational Delivery

1. Design, deliver and evaluate L&OD offerings that are engaging and effective, identifying outcomes that meet core business needs using a range of delivery methods.

2. Using the OD cycle to scope, plan and deliver bespoke interventions, activities and programmes of work to support leaders and team effectiveness and drive culture change.

3. Facilitate large group events i.e. leadership programmes, team development, Trust induction.

4. Work independently as a facilitator to enable others to develop capacity and capability across multi-disciplinary teams and inter-professional boundaries, including facilitation of self-reflection and 360-degree feedback with leaders and teams.

5. Apply skills and knowledge of governance and project and programme leadership and support colleagues to take ownership and deliver new projects and activities.

6. Undertake regular research in support of the project portfolio

7. Design and implement effective evaluation and review mechanisms for projects and L&OD programmes

8. Responsible for undertaking risk assessments to identify gaps and associated risks in the project portfolio and areas of work.

9. Identify and secure resources necessary to deliver agreed projects, both in the short and longer term, and ensure projects remain within the allocated budget

Communication

1. To communicate complex service and project related information effectively across all channels and facilitate collaborative working with multi-disciplinary team colleagues.

2. Engage staff in the department and wider organisation in support of strategic aims and objectives.

3. Promote and share best practice and using various media to communicate benefits and optimise communication impact.

4. Liaise with local NHS partners, external agencies, third party contractors and the wider health community to maximise opportunities for collaborative activities.

5. To attend meetings internally and externally and maintain excellent working relationships with Trust and System colleagues.

6. Represent the Trust at external and internal conferences and chair relevant meetings ensuring actions contributing to project progress are allocated and followed up appropriately.

Quality and Governance

1. Evaluate the impact of offerings, interventions and projects and provide evidence-based recommendations, presenting findings to appropriate internal and external forums.

2. Collate and use data to inform decision making e.g. Staff survey, evaluations, Training Needs Analysis etc.

3. Prepare reports for approval by senior management teams and ensure that projects are prioritised, deprioritised and reprioritised within the resources available.

4. Contribute to steering groups in a timely manner

5. Work in collaboration with colleagues inside and outside of NUH to develop and implement relevant systems and processes that support the delivery of the programme portfolio including;

Appropriate data entry

Appropriate communication processes and activity

Comprehensive progress monitoring and evaluation process.

Appropriate cost management controls

6. Revise and update processes and systems to drive continuous improvement across the L&OD portfolio.

7. Participate in the development of internal policies, practices and procedures for L&OD related topics.

Management

1. Provide day to day line management of L&OD facilitators and trainers, ensuring direct reports complete appraisals and mandatory training to the required timescales.

2. Provide mentorship, advice and support to L&OD team members to ensure they in turn effectively lead their own areas of responsibility, acting as an effective role model.

3. Support the L&OD senior leadership team in the management of the team, contributing to recruitment processes and the facilitation of regular team meetings.

4. Contribute to the review of departmental priorities and annual objective setting.

5. Support the investigation of any complaints and incidents. Ensure that all agreed, follow up actions are taken in accordance with agreed policy and that these are effective.

6. Deputise for the Organisational Development Service Lead/ Head of Learning & Development as required.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Leadership/Strategy

1. Lead key programmes of work across the L&OD portfolio, with a focus on management development activity, contributing to the development of the NUH strategic programmes

2. Provide expert leadership and guidance in a relevant topic aligned to the L&OD portfolio e.g. leadership and management, team working, learning and development

3. Lead short- and long-term project teams / interventions, to support the development of appropriate programmes that meet the needs of employees and Trust objectives.

4. Research, review and make proposals that will drive Trust Strategy and align to both NUH policy and procedures, and values and behaviours.

5. Manage the progress of key objectives / programmes of work, reporting performance across the organisation on a regular basis.

6. Work with the team to ensure alignment between L&OD projects, key deliverables and the Trusts strategic priorities.

7. Identify opportunities for externally funded training and development and incorporate into the offer available to employees.

8. Network across the organisation, developing effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders from across all professional groups, to identify and scope service development needs.

9. Support the L&OD senior team to lead the L&OD function in the delivery of key programmes of work that support the Trusts strategic priorities.

Operational Delivery

1. Design, deliver and evaluate L&OD offerings that are engaging and effective, identifying outcomes that meet core business needs using a range of delivery methods.

2. Using the OD cycle to scope, plan and deliver bespoke interventions, activities and programmes of work to support leaders and team effectiveness and drive culture change.

3. Facilitate large group events i.e. leadership programmes, team development, Trust induction.

4. Work independently as a facilitator to enable others to develop capacity and capability across multi-disciplinary teams and inter-professional boundaries, including facilitation of self-reflection and 360-degree feedback with leaders and teams.

5. Apply skills and knowledge of governance and project and programme leadership and support colleagues to take ownership and deliver new projects and activities.

6. Undertake regular research in support of the project portfolio

7. Design and implement effective evaluation and review mechanisms for projects and L&OD programmes

8. Responsible for undertaking risk assessments to identify gaps and associated risks in the project portfolio and areas of work.

9. Identify and secure resources necessary to deliver agreed projects, both in the short and longer term, and ensure projects remain within the allocated budget

Communication

1. To communicate complex service and project related information effectively across all channels and facilitate collaborative working with multi-disciplinary team colleagues.

2. Engage staff in the department and wider organisation in support of strategic aims and objectives.

3. Promote and share best practice and using various media to communicate benefits and optimise communication impact.

4. Liaise with local NHS partners, external agencies, third party contractors and the wider health community to maximise opportunities for collaborative activities.

5. To attend meetings internally and externally and maintain excellent working relationships with Trust and System colleagues.

6. Represent the Trust at external and internal conferences and chair relevant meetings ensuring actions contributing to project progress are allocated and followed up appropriately.

Quality and Governance

1. Evaluate the impact of offerings, interventions and projects and provide evidence-based recommendations, presenting findings to appropriate internal and external forums.

2. Collate and use data to inform decision making e.g. Staff survey, evaluations, Training Needs Analysis etc.

3. Prepare reports for approval by senior management teams and ensure that projects are prioritised, deprioritised and reprioritised within the resources available.

4. Contribute to steering groups in a timely manner

5. Work in collaboration with colleagues inside and outside of NUH to develop and implement relevant systems and processes that support the delivery of the programme portfolio including;

Appropriate data entry

Appropriate communication processes and activity

Comprehensive progress monitoring and evaluation process.

Appropriate cost management controls

6. Revise and update processes and systems to drive continuous improvement across the L&OD portfolio.

7. Participate in the development of internal policies, practices and procedures for L&OD related topics.

Management

1. Provide day to day line management of L&OD facilitators and trainers, ensuring direct reports complete appraisals and mandatory training to the required timescales.

2. Provide mentorship, advice and support to L&OD team members to ensure they in turn effectively lead their own areas of responsibility, acting as an effective role model.

3. Support the L&OD senior leadership team in the management of the team, contributing to recruitment processes and the facilitation of regular team meetings.

4. Contribute to the review of departmental priorities and annual objective setting.

5. Support the investigation of any complaints and incidents. Ensure that all agreed, follow up actions are taken in accordance with agreed policy and that these are effective.

6. Deputise for the Organisational Development Service Lead/ Head of Learning & Development as required.

Person Specification

Training & Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to postgraduate degree level (Masters) in a relevant topic (Training, Organisational Development, Human Resources) or equivalent experience
  • Professional Training Qualification (PGCE, Cert Ed, Dip Ed, CIPD) or equivalent qualification or experience
  • Demonstrates CPD activity in Training or Teaching

Desirable

  • Coaching qualification
  • Level 5 qualification in management and leadership

Experience

Essential

  • Highly developed specialist knowledge of training, learning and organisational development underpinned by theory and experience
  • Successful record of designing and managing OD initiatives to improve and develop the culture of an organisation
  • Experience evaluating L&OD programmes of work and portfolios of activity and demonstrating their value and impact to the organisation.
  • Experience of working with complex teams and programmes of activity, change and leading initiatives.
  • Experience leading staff engagement initiatives and creating culture change
  • Experience of line managing teams

Desirable

  • Experience of delivering initiatives across a system
  • Highly developed specialist knowledge in leadership and management development
  • Experience in change management

Communication and Relationship Skills

Essential

  • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • Effective interpersonal skills at all levels and can quickly establish credibility
  • Experience of managing leadership and management projects and / or programmes across organisations
  • Experience of writing formal papers for committees
  • Ability to connect with colleagues across all levels
  • Able to build relationships in order to support the L&OD agenda
  • Experience of supporting and providing challenge in a helpful way
  • Able to provide timely feedback
  • Ability to establish networks across the wider NHS including building rapport and respect with course participants and team members

Analytical and Judgement Skills

Essential

  • Ability to respond to priorities and analyse complex problems/situations and translate strategic deliverables into cohesive programmes to ensure effective interventions are put in place.
  • Ability to generate and present reports and documents.
  • Demonstrate insight in the use of data to influence patient care and services

Planning and Organisation Skills

Essential

  • Manage a complex portfolio, and its interdependencies, and balance work priorities
  • Can formulate short and long term objectives
  • Demonstrate an ability to prioritise own workload and recognise, prioritise and respond appropriately to urgent and emergency situations.
  • Demonstrate the personal development of members within a team.
  • Able to work with uncertainty and ambiguity
  • Able to step in and cover projects as needed in the moment

Physical Skills

Essential

  • IT skills to design and deliver sessions, and write reports

Other requirements specific to the role

Essential

  • Adaptive to changing pace and priorities for work delivery
  • Flexible with respect to working hours / location
  • Travel to different meetings, training or conferences
Person Specification

Training & Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to postgraduate degree level (Masters) in a relevant topic (Training, Organisational Development, Human Resources) or equivalent experience
  • Professional Training Qualification (PGCE, Cert Ed, Dip Ed, CIPD) or equivalent qualification or experience
  • Demonstrates CPD activity in Training or Teaching

Desirable

  • Coaching qualification
  • Level 5 qualification in management and leadership

Experience

Essential

  • Highly developed specialist knowledge of training, learning and organisational development underpinned by theory and experience
  • Successful record of designing and managing OD initiatives to improve and develop the culture of an organisation
  • Experience evaluating L&OD programmes of work and portfolios of activity and demonstrating their value and impact to the organisation.
  • Experience of working with complex teams and programmes of activity, change and leading initiatives.
  • Experience leading staff engagement initiatives and creating culture change
  • Experience of line managing teams

Desirable

  • Experience of delivering initiatives across a system
  • Highly developed specialist knowledge in leadership and management development
  • Experience in change management

Communication and Relationship Skills

Essential

  • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • Effective interpersonal skills at all levels and can quickly establish credibility
  • Experience of managing leadership and management projects and / or programmes across organisations
  • Experience of writing formal papers for committees
  • Ability to connect with colleagues across all levels
  • Able to build relationships in order to support the L&OD agenda
  • Experience of supporting and providing challenge in a helpful way
  • Able to provide timely feedback
  • Ability to establish networks across the wider NHS including building rapport and respect with course participants and team members

Analytical and Judgement Skills

Essential

  • Ability to respond to priorities and analyse complex problems/situations and translate strategic deliverables into cohesive programmes to ensure effective interventions are put in place.
  • Ability to generate and present reports and documents.
  • Demonstrate insight in the use of data to influence patient care and services

Planning and Organisation Skills

Essential

  • Manage a complex portfolio, and its interdependencies, and balance work priorities
  • Can formulate short and long term objectives
  • Demonstrate an ability to prioritise own workload and recognise, prioritise and respond appropriately to urgent and emergency situations.
  • Demonstrate the personal development of members within a team.
  • Able to work with uncertainty and ambiguity
  • Able to step in and cover projects as needed in the moment

Physical Skills

Essential

  • IT skills to design and deliver sessions, and write reports

Other requirements specific to the role

Essential

  • Adaptive to changing pace and priorities for work delivery
  • Flexible with respect to working hours / location
  • Travel to different meetings, training or conferences

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trusts

Address

Nottingham University Hospital, City Hospital campus

Hucknall Road

Nottingham

NG5 1PB


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trusts

Address

Nottingham University Hospital, City Hospital campus

Hucknall Road

Nottingham

NG5 1PB


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Organisational Development Service Lead

Gemma Bristow

gemma.bristow2@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

12 September 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

Reference number

164-7391385-A

Job locations

Nottingham University Hospital, City Hospital campus

Hucknall Road

Nottingham

NG5 1PB


Supporting documents

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