Head of Talent and Organisational Design

We are being supported by Tucker Stone to fill this role, if you wish to apply, please email an application directly to [email protected] – any applications received directly will be forwarded to Tucker Stone directly.

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Head of Talent & Organisational Development to lead the design and implementation of our talent, leadership, learning, and culture strategies. This pivotal role will be instrumental in delivering our 2025–2028 People Strategy, ensuring the Crick remains a truly outstanding place to work and do science.

Reporting to the Director of People and partnering closely with senior leaders across both science and operations, you will shape and deliver initiatives that build leadership capability, strengthen succession pipelines, evolve our performance and development frameworks, and embed a positive, inclusive culture aligned to our values.

What you will be doing..

• Talent & Succession Planning: Lead the design and delivery of institute wide approaches to talent identification and succession for critical roles, aligning with long-term institutional needs.
• Leadership & Management Development: Define and embed the Crick’s Leadership Standards; design and deliver development programmes for early-career researchers, operational managers, and senior leaders.
• Organisational Development & Culture: Drive culture change initiatives, embedding "The Crick Way" and fostering collaboration, inclusion, and research excellence.
• Learning & Performance: Refresh development frameworks and create transparent career pathways that support progression for all staff groups.
• Strategic Collaboration: Partner with HR colleagues and senior stakeholders to align talent and OD interventions with broader organisational priorities.

What you will bring…

• Significant senior-level experience in organisational development, talent, or learning within a complex, matrixed, or research-based environment
• A proven track record in leadership development, succession planning, and organisational design aligned to strategic goals
• Strong expertise in embedding inclusive practices and leading culture transformation
• Excellent influencing and stakeholder engagement skills, with credibility at executive and board levels
• An analytical, data-informed approach to strategy design and impact evaluation
• A collaborative, emotionally intelligent leadership style aligned with our values: bold, open, and collegial

Experience within scientific, academic, or publicly funded environments is advantageous but not essential.

About Working at the Crick…

Our values

Everyone who works at the Crick has a valuable role to play in advancing the Crick’s mission and shaping our culture!

• We are bold. We make space for creative, dynamic and imaginative ideas and approaches. We’re not afraid to do things differently.
• We are open. We’re highly collaborative and interactive, and make sure our activities are visible to the outside world.
• We are collegial. We show respect for one another, work cooperatively and support the wider community.

At the Francis Crick Institute, we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to driving innovation and scientific discovery. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed, regardless of their background, identity, or personal circumstances. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all genders, ethnicities, abilities, and experiences.

As a Disability Confident Leader, we ensure that everyone can apply and be part of our recruitment processes and so we'll make reasonable adjustments if you need them. For this or any other assistance you need with applying please email:[email protected]

Please note you must meet the essential criteria listed within the Role Profile, to have your application reviewed.

We reserve the right to withdraw this advert at any given time due to the number of applications received.