Head of Leadership Development

Join the University of Manchester

We’re excited to be recruiting a dynamic and motivated Head of Leadership Development to join our Talent Development Team at The University of Manchester.

About the role

The Head of Leadership Development will take a lead role in the design, delivery and continuous improvement of the University’s management and leadership development provision, supporting colleagues at every stage of their leadership journey.

Leading a specialist team, the role oversees a broad portfolio of development solutions, including in-person programmes, workshops and online resources, spanning aspiring managers through to senior and executive leaders. Working in close partnership with academic, research and professional development leads, as well as IT, Compliance and Risk colleagues, the postholder will ensure leadership development is accessible, relevant and aligned to institutional priorities.

The role plays a key part in shaping and delivering the University’s Talent Development Strategy, ensuring leadership development solutions are aligned to organisational goals, including sustainability, equality, diversity and inclusion, and service excellence.

About you

Essential criteria

• Significant experience leading leadership and management development across a large, complex organisation.
• Strong track record of designing and delivering impactful leadership development programmes grounded in adult learning principles.
• Experience using psychometric and leadership development tools (e.g. 360 feedback, MBTI, EQ-i, DISC).
• Proven people leadership skills, with the ability to motivate and develop high-performing teams.
• Strategic mindset with experience leading organisational and cultural change.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills, with the ability to build effective relationships at all levels.
• A flexible, resilient approach and a strong commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and sustainability.
• Degree (or equivalent experience) in HR, Business Management or a related field, with Chartered CIPD (or equivalent).

Desirable

• Coaching qualification and/or BPS Level A/B accreditation.
• Experience of digital or blended learning delivery.
• Experience within higher education or a similarly complex environment.
• This is a hybrid role, with the opportunity to work remotely 1-2 days per week, dependent on organisational need.

Our community

With 25 Nobel Prize winners among our current and former staff and students, we have a proud history of world-first discoveries – from splitting the atom to giving the world graphene. Our commitment to research, teaching, and social responsibility shapes everything we do.

Inclusion and Belonging

We’re passionate about creating an inclusive community where everyone feels welcome and valued. As an equal opportunity employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments will be made on merit.

How to apply

This vacancy will close at midnight on the closing date. We reserve the right to close the advert early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Please note that any CVs submitted by recruitment agencies will be treated as a gift.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

Name: Lewis Burne, Talent Acquisition Advisor

Email: lewis.burne@manchester.ac.uk

General enquiries:

Email: People.recruitment@manchester.ac.uk

Technical support: jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.

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