Culture & Change Lead
Grade O | Human Resources & Organisational Development
Help shape the future of Tower Hamlets
Tower Hamlets is one of the most ambitious local authorities in the country. Serving one of the UK's most diverse and dynamic communities, we are transforming the way we work, strengthening organisational effectiveness and building a culture that enables our people and services to thrive.
We're creating a newly designed HR & OD function that puts organisational effectiveness at the heart of everything we do. As part of this journey, we're looking for an outstanding Culture & Change Lead to help shape the future culture of the organisation.
This is a rare opportunity to influence organisational culture at scale, supporting leaders through change, strengthening employee engagement and ensuring our values and behaviours are fully embedded across the Council.
About the role
Reporting to the Head of Organisational Effectiveness, you will lead our culture, engagement, organisational development and change portfolio.
You will be responsible for developing and delivering culture change programmes that drive organisational performance, strengthen leadership capability and create a positive employee experience.
You will lead the Council's employee engagement approach, including directing the team in delivering the People Survey, employee listening activity and culture diagnostics, translating insight into practical interventions that deliver measurable impact.
Working closely with colleagues across Strategy, Transformation, Communications and HR & OD, you will ensure organisational change is effectively designed, communicated and embedded across the organisation.
You will also lead our organisational design capability, ensuring structures, operating models and ways of working support effective service delivery and workforce performance.
About you
We're looking for a confident and credible organisational development professional who combines strategic thinking with practical delivery.
You will bring significant experience of:
- Leading culture change and organisational development initiatives in a large and complex organisation.
- Designing and delivering employee engagement and organisational effectiveness programmes.
- Organisational design and organisational diagnostics.
- Supporting organisations through change and transformation.
- Influencing, coaching and challenging senior leaders.
- Using data, insight and evidence to diagnose issues and shape interventions.
Most importantly, you'll be passionate about helping organisations perform at their best and creating environments where people can thrive, develop and succeed.
Why join us?
This is an opportunity to work on some of the most important organisational challenges facing local government today.
You'll help shape the future of a large and diverse organisation, influence senior leaders, lead talented specialists and play a key role in delivering our organisational ambitions.
If you're excited by culture, change, organisational development and making a genuine impact at scale, we'd love to hear from you.
Our Benefits
Competitive salary £73,266, - £78,090.
Local Government Pension Scheme membership.
Generous annual leave: 29 days, rising to 33 with 5+ years’ service, plus bank holidays and 3 additional days at Christmas.
Flexible and agile working to support work–life balance.
Staff money-saving schemes (e.g., rent deposit loans, season ticket loans).
Learning and development opportunities through our Learning Academy, with clear career development and leadership pathways.
Tower Hamlets is a truly unique borough at the heart of London – a place where history and innovation sit side by side. From the docks and markets that shaped the East End to the global business hub of Canary Wharf, we are proud to be one of the most dynamic, diverse, and ambitious communities in the UK. We are also one of the fastest growing and youngest boroughs in the country, offering unrivalled opportunities to make a real difference to people’s lives. Our residents are energetic, creative, and resilient, and our council is committed to delivering the best possible services and opportunities for them.
Our award-winning new Town Hall in Whitechapel provides a modern, flexible workplace for our staff, right at the heart of the borough and directly opposite Whitechapel Tube and Elizabeth line station. It is more than just a workplace – it’s a hub for collaboration, innovation and community, designed to bring out the best in our people.
As an employer, we put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of everything we do. Our active Employee Network Groups celebrate and champion our workforce, helping to ensure that everyone feels a sense of belonging. Guided by our TOWER values – Together, Open, Willing, Excellent and Respect – we are building a positive, inclusive culture where colleagues can thrive.
At Tower Hamlets Council, you’ll find exciting challenges, supportive colleagues, and the chance to shape one of London’s most important and vibrant places. If you’re looking for a role where you can see the impact of your work every day, then Tower Hamlets is the place for you.
