Assistant Director of People & Organisational Development
Location: EdinburghSalary: £57,696.82 per annum + £4,564.80 per annum car allowanceHours: 32 hours per week (full-time)Contract: Permanent
Our people are at the heart of everything we do. As a values‑driven housing and social care organisation, we create inclusive communities where people can live with dignity, independence and belonging.
About The Role
This senior People & OD leadership role is part of Ark’s Senior Leadership Team. It focuses on shaping Ark’s culture, workforce strategy, and people systems to support the organisation’s long‑term ambitions.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead delivery of Ark’s People & OD and Workforce Strategy priorities.
- Provide strategic and professional advice to the Executive Team, Senior Leadership Team and Board of Management.
- Lead People Services, Talent & Engagement, Learning & OD and workforce functions.
- Oversee workforce planning, succession planning and leadership capability development.
- Lead workforce analytics, people dashboards and evidence‑based reporting.
- Support organisational change, continuous improvement and digital transformation.
- Provide strategic oversight of employee relations, employment law and regulatory compliance.
- Support recruitment, retention and workforce sustainability.
- Ensure People & OD systems, processes and governance are robust, effective and future‑focused.
- Support key corporate priorities, including implementation of Employment Hero.
- Prepare and present papers, reports and workforce insights for senior governance forums.
About You
- Strong track record in a senior People, HR or OD leadership role.
- Experience developing and delivering organisation‑wide People, OD and workforce strategies.
- Experience operating as part of a senior leadership team.
- Strong knowledge of employment law, employee relations, regulatory compliance and people governance.
- Experience leading multi‑function People teams, including HR operations, L&D, OD, recruitment, payroll or people systems.
- Confidence using workforce data, analytics and insight to support strategic decision‑making.
- Experience preparing Board papers and presenting at senior governance forums.
- Strong change leadership, project management and organisational development skills.
- Experience supporting succession planning, leadership development and workforce sustainability.
- Chartered CIPD membership, or equivalent professional status.
- Relevant postgraduate qualification (Master’s or Postgraduate Diploma) or equivalent professional experience.
Why Work With Us?
Ark is a values‑driven housing and social care organisation dedicated to improving lives. This role offers the chance to shape how Ark supports, develops and engages its people for the future.
Benefits
- A 4‑day working week with no loss of pay.
- Hybrid working.
- A generous annual leave allowance, with additional leave awarded as your service grows.
- 4% contributory pension.
- Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing support.
- Employee discounts, access to Blue Light Card and Cycle to Work scheme.
- Annual leave buy and sell options.
#J-18808-Ljbffr…