Head of Organisational Development
NHS OrkneyKirkwall, Scotland, United Kingdom
Added 7 Aug · still live
Not disclosed
Salary
Not disclosed by employer
£50,200
Going rate
Skilled Worker going rate
This role may qualify for a Skilled Worker visa
SOC 2431 is an eligible occupation, but we classified this role with low confidence (42% match). If the code is right — and NHS Orkney is a licensed sponsor — it should qualify, but double-check the occupation eligibility rules against the actual role.
About the role
Secondment Opportunity for Internal NHS Scotland Colleagues only
Applications are welcomed from colleagues currently employed within NHS Scotland who are seeking an opportunity to broaden their strategic leadership and organisational development experience. Applicants should seek agreement in principle from their substantive employer before accepting a secondment offer.
About The Organisation
NHS Orkney is committed to delivering excellent care to our 22,000 residents. Whether you’re new to the NHS or bringing experience from elsewhere, your skills will make a real difference.
Our modern healthcare facility, The Balfour, brings together inpatient care, emergency services, outpatient clinics, diagnostics, GP practices and the Scottish Ambulance Service. We’re also investing in services across our outer isles, ensuring high-quality care reaches every corner of Orkney.
We are guided by our core values that shape everything we do Open and honest, Respect and Kindness from how we care for our patients to how we support each other as colleagues.
About Orkney
With over 70 islands 20 of them inhabited Orkney offers a unique blend of natural beauty, close-knit community and an opportunity for adventure. From dramatic coastlines and rare wildlife to rich cultural traditions and active lifestyles, it’s a place where compassion thrives and every day brings something new. Regularly named one of the UK’s best places to live, Orkney offers a lifestyle that’s both fulfilling and inspiring.
The Position
An exciting opportunity has arisen within NHS Orkney's People and Culture Directorate for an experienced and strategic organisational development professional to join us as Head of Organisational Development on a 12-month secondment opportunity.
This is a pivotal leadership role that will be at the forefront of delivering NHS Orkney's organisational transformation agenda. Working closely with Executive Directors, senior leaders, managers, staff side representatives and key stakeholders, you will lead the development and delivery of programmes that support organisational change, service redesign, workforce transformation and cultural improvement across the organisation.
As a senior member of the People and Culture leadership team, you will provide expert leadership in organisational development, leadership development, workforce transformation, change management and staff experience. You will play a key role in helping NHS Orkney build the capability, culture and leadership needed to successfully deliver strategic change and improve outcomes for our communities.
As The Head Of Organisational Development, You Will
Applications are welcomed from colleagues currently employed within NHS Scotland who are seeking an opportunity to broaden their strategic leadership and organisational development experience. Applicants should seek agreement in principle from their substantive employer before accepting a secondment offer.
About The Organisation
NHS Orkney is committed to delivering excellent care to our 22,000 residents. Whether you’re new to the NHS or bringing experience from elsewhere, your skills will make a real difference.
Our modern healthcare facility, The Balfour, brings together inpatient care, emergency services, outpatient clinics, diagnostics, GP practices and the Scottish Ambulance Service. We’re also investing in services across our outer isles, ensuring high-quality care reaches every corner of Orkney.
We are guided by our core values that shape everything we do Open and honest, Respect and Kindness from how we care for our patients to how we support each other as colleagues.
About Orkney
With over 70 islands 20 of them inhabited Orkney offers a unique blend of natural beauty, close-knit community and an opportunity for adventure. From dramatic coastlines and rare wildlife to rich cultural traditions and active lifestyles, it’s a place where compassion thrives and every day brings something new. Regularly named one of the UK’s best places to live, Orkney offers a lifestyle that’s both fulfilling and inspiring.
The Position
An exciting opportunity has arisen within NHS Orkney's People and Culture Directorate for an experienced and strategic organisational development professional to join us as Head of Organisational Development on a 12-month secondment opportunity.
This is a pivotal leadership role that will be at the forefront of delivering NHS Orkney's organisational transformation agenda. Working closely with Executive Directors, senior leaders, managers, staff side representatives and key stakeholders, you will lead the development and delivery of programmes that support organisational change, service redesign, workforce transformation and cultural improvement across the organisation.
As a senior member of the People and Culture leadership team, you will provide expert leadership in organisational development, leadership development, workforce transformation, change management and staff experience. You will play a key role in helping NHS Orkney build the capability, culture and leadership needed to successfully deliver strategic change and improve outcomes for our communities.
As The Head Of Organisational Development, You Will
Lead the design and delivery of organisational development and transformation programmes across NHS Orkney.
Provide strategic leadership for organisational change initiatives, ensuring effective planning, engagement, implementation and evaluation.
Support major organisational redesign programmes and service transformation projects.
Work with Executive Directors, leadership teams and managers to strengthen organisational capability and readiness for change.
Lead initiatives that support leadership development, talent development, succession planning and workforce sustainability.
Use organisational intelligence, workforce data and staff feedback to inform improvement priorities and programme delivery.
Foster a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, collaboration and partnership working.
Support the implementation of NHS Orkney's Corporate Strategy and associated transformation programmes.
Develop strong relationships with staff side partners to ensure meaningful engagement throughout change processes.
Contribute to the wider strategic leadership of the People and Culture Directorate.
The Candidate
We are seeking an experienced leader who is passionate about organisational development and has a proven ability to lead large-scale change in complex environments.
You Will Have
Provide strategic leadership for organisational change initiatives, ensuring effective planning, engagement, implementation and evaluation.
Support major organisational redesign programmes and service transformation projects.
Work with Executive Directors, leadership teams and managers to strengthen organisational capability and readiness for change.
Lead initiatives that support leadership development, talent development, succession planning and workforce sustainability.
Use organisational intelligence, workforce data and staff feedback to inform improvement priorities and programme delivery.
Foster a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, collaboration and partnership working.
Support the implementation of NHS Orkney's Corporate Strategy and associated transformation programmes.
Develop strong relationships with staff side partners to ensure meaningful engagement throughout change processes.
Contribute to the wider strategic leadership of the People and Culture Directorate.
The Candidate
We are seeking an experienced leader who is passionate about organisational development and has a proven ability to lead large-scale change in complex environments.
You Will Have
- Significant experience of leading organisational development, transformation or change programmes within a complex organisation.
- A strong understanding of change management, organisational design and workforce transformation methodologies.Experience of working directly with Executive Teams, senior leaders and key stakeholders to implement strategic change.
- Excellent leadership, facilitation, coaching and influencing skills.
- Experience of delivering leadership development, staff engagement or culture change programmes.
- The ability to build strong relationships and secure commitment across a diverse range of stakeholders.
NHS Orkney is an ambitious organisation with a clear commitment to improving services, enhancing staff experience and delivering sustainable healthcare for our island communities.
This role provides a unique opportunity to influence organisation-wide transformation programmes and play a leading role in shaping the future direction of NHS Orkney. You will work alongside committed colleagues and leaders who are passionate about creating a positive culture and delivering meaningful change.
Location, Working Pattern and Contract Duration:
This post will be based at The Balfour
The successful candidate will work: Full Time 36 hours per week
This post is Secondment for 12 months due to service requirement
It is a condition of this employment that you must live and remain a resident within the UK for the post in which you will be employed with NHS Orkney.
Benefits And Salary
Did you know NHS Scotland salaries are higher than those in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland?
The salary for this post is Band 8a and if residing on Orkney, you’ll also receive a Distant Islands Allowance of £1,719 pro rata per annum, adding extra value to your rewarding career with us.
NHS Orkney also offers an attractive pension scheme, wide range of work life balance policies, employee assistance programme and various discounts to both local and national retailers.
Further Information
If you share our vision and are ready to be part of Team Orkney, we’d love to hear from you. Your rewarding career starts here!
We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that candidates may need during the recruitment process, and you will be asked whether you require any during your application. If there are additional requirements you would like to request, please contact
For further guidance on the recruitment process and tips for creating a strong application, please refer to our Candidate Application Pack.
For an informal discussion regarding the role, please contact: Steven Phillips, Head of People and Culture
This post is subject to a Disclosure Scotland check.
NHS Orkney is an equal opportunities employer committed to advancing equality and particularly welcomes applications from groups of people currently underrepresented within the workforce. We are a committed participant in the Disability Confident Leader Scheme and guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum essential criteria for our vacancies.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) - Candidates should provide original and authentic responses to all questions within the application form. The use of artificial intelligence (AI), automated tools, or other third-party assistance to generate, draft, or significantly modify responses is strongly discouraged. By submitting your application, you confirm that all answers are your own work, reflect your personal knowledge, skills and experience, and have not been solely produced or altered by AI or similar technologies.
Failure to comply with this requirement may result in your application being withdrawn from the application process.
Please note this advert may close early if sufficient applications are received.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) - Candidates should provide original and authentic responses to all questions within the application form. The use of artificial intelligence (AI), automated tools, or other third-party assistance to generate, draft, or significantly modify responses is strongly discouraged. By submitting your application, you confirm that all answers are your own work, reflect your personal knowledge, skills and experience, and have not been solely produced or altered by AI or similar technologies.
Failure to comply with this requirement may result in your application being withdrawn from the application process.
Please note this advert may close early if sufficient applications are received.
This description is the source posting as it read when we added it. We are not affiliated with NHS Orkney, so check their own site for the current details.
Where this offer sits in the market
SOC 2431 · UK · ONS ASHE 2025 · ~222k in sampleP25 £40kP75 £71k
£30kmedian £53kgoing rate £50k£93k
Similar sponsored roles
See all jobsNo close matches live right now.
Browse more sponsored jobs at NHS Orkney →About sponsorship for this role
Does this job guarantee visa sponsorship?
Not necessarily. NHS Orkney holds a sponsor licence, but sponsorship for a specific hire is always the employer's decision. Be upfront in your application that you'll require it.
What salary is needed for this role to be eligible?
The offer must clear both the general threshold and the SOC 2431 going rate of £50,200. New-entrant and shortage discounts can lower it.