The Duke of Edinburgh's Award
Director or People & Culture
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Director or People & Culture
Director of People & Culture
Application Deadline: 26 July 2026
Department: People & Culture Employment Type: Permanent Location: Home-based / with some regional travel Compensation: £82,385 – £96,923 per year
About the Role
We’re seeking an outstanding Director of People and Culture to lead and shape a nurturing, high-performing, and inclusive organisational culture at Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE). This strategic leadership role requires close collaboration with the CEO, Executive Leadership Team, and Board to ensure we develop the necessary capability, leadership, and organisational design to support our mission—now and for the future.
As we launch our World Ready strategy, this is an exciting opportunity to influence our next chapter of growth, supporting over 400 colleagues and a network of 5,000+ partner organisations working alongside 40,000 adult leaders to deliver transformative programmes.
Key Responsibilities
As Director of People and Culture, you will:
- Lead and deliver the organisation-wide People and Culture strategy, ensuring it aligns with our mission and long-term goals.
- Serve as a trusted Executive Advisor to senior leadership and trustee boards on workforce development, cultural transformation, and organisational prioritisation.
- Foster a high-performing, values-driven culture where colleagues and volunteers feel empowered, supported, and inspired.
- Drive workforce planning, organisational design, and leadership capability, ensuring future success.
- Champion unparalleled employee and volunteer experiences, from recruitment and development to engagement and retention.
- Embed and lead our equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) agenda, embedding inclusive practices across all aspects of our work.
- Use data, insights, and analytics to inform decisions, measure impact, and drive continuous improvement.
- Oversee learning and development (L&D), talent management, and succession planning.
- Ensure robust governance across people policies, employment relations, risk, and compliance.
- Lead organisational change and transformation initiatives with confidence, transparency, and care.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Requirements
We seek a strategic, values-aligned leader with a proven track record of high-impact People & Organisational Development (HR/OD) in complex, mission-driven environments. You will demonstrate:
- MCIPD/FCIPD (or equivalent international credential).
- Senior-level experience leading a People, HR, or Organisational Development function within a large, values-driven organisation.
- A strong history of delivering organisation-wide people strategies and embodying cultural change.
- Expertise in workforce transformation, organisational design, and leadership development.
- Proven ability to influence executives, boards, and senior leaders in strategic workforce decisions.
- In-depth knowledge of employment law, industrial relations, and governance.
- Experience leveraging people data and engagement insights to guide operational and strategic decisions.
- Outstanding communication and stakeholder management skills, with the capacity to engage diverse groups.
- A firm commitment to equity, inclusion, wellbeing, and values-led leadership.
- The ability to blend strategic foresight with tactical execution, particularly in evolving organisational or economic conditions.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Application Process
If you share our vision and meet the criteria for this role, we encourage you to apply through our website.
Key Dates:
- Application Deadline: Sunday, 26 July 2026
- Interview Window (1st Round): Week commencing 10 August – 17 August (conducted virtually via MS Teams)
- Interview Window (2nd Round): 24 August – 4 September (held in London)
For access to alternative formats or accommodations, please contact: recruitment@dofe.org.
Benefits & Perks
We offer a compelling benefits package designed to support individual and organisational success:
- 36% workplace pension contribution
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
- Health cash plan
- Subscribe Healthcare allowances
- Volunteer leave
- 25 days of annual leave, including UK bank holidays, and an additional 3 days of paid leave between Christmas and New Year
- Flexible leave purchasing
- 25% Staff Discount Scheme
- Death in service benefit (4× salary)
- Incapacity illness benefit
- Parental and family leave stipends
- Extended sickness leave provisions
Compliance Notes:
As part of our safeguarding obligations and legal requirements, all successful candidates will undergo an Enhanced DBS Check, including references covering employment/education gaps. Candidates must also meet UK work eligibility criteria and complete a health check.
Geographical Allowance
A 7% location allowance (capped at £4,000/year) may apply if the primary postcode is within 30 miles of Charing Cross (WC2N 5HS).
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills
Location