Vacancies
Head of Organisational Development

Head of Organisational Development

Posted:

12 Aug 2026

Hybrid (Leicester, United Kingdom)

People

Permanent

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Overview

People love Dunelm. That statement is true for the millions of Customers, the ‘savvy home lovers’ who love the broad range of quality, value for money homewares products, the unique in-store and online experience, and Dunelm’s distinctive local feel. It is also true for the 12,000 Colleagues who benefit from an ambitious, entrepreneurial, family-oriented culture and challenger-brand mentality which combine to create an environment that is conducive to making things happen fast. And it’s also true for Investors who have seen strong and consistent returns to date and are excited by the leadership team’s calibre and vision, and the strength of Dunelm’s multi-channel offering.

Department Overview

At Dunelm, our People & Communications function is a high‑impact, commercially focused strategic engine, turning organisational goals into people and communication plans that unlock performance, engagement and long‑term success, with colleagues and customers at the heart.

We work collaboratively to shape the conditions for Dunelm to thrive — attracting and developing exceptional talent, strengthening leadership capability, building future skills and fostering a culture where every colleague can do their best work.

Our work is varied and meaningful: partnering with business teams to enable organisational performance through people, and anticipating future workforce needs. Developing modern people policies and practices, championing wellbeing and inclusion, and aligning colleagues around our shared values.

Role Overview

The Head of Organisational Development will shape and deliver Dunelm’s approach to organisational effectiveness, leadership, culture, and people change across a fast-paced, customer-facing retail environment.

The role holder will ensure the business is structured, skilled, and enabled to deliver against the strategy. They will collaborate with the rest of the People & Communications team and partner closely with senior leaders to drive capability, optimise organisation design, and embed a high-performance, customer-centric culture.

An experienced OD leader who understands the realities of a fast-paced retail environment. You combine strategic thinking with hands-on delivery and can translate organisational theory into practical solutions that work on the ‘shop floor’ as well as in the support centre.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Organisation Design & Operating Model

Lead organisation design activity as needed across all business areas
Ensure the operating model supports delivery of strategic plan
Optimise organisation efficiency through spans and layers, structures, clear accountabilities and governance frameworks and forums
Embed clear roles, accountabilities, and decision-making across teams

2. Leadership Capability

Define and deliver leadership capability strategy
Embed consistent leadership expectations that drive performance, engagement, and customer outcomes
Partner with HRBPs to identify capability gaps and design targeted interventions
Collaborate with other People & Comms centres of expertise to reinforce and sustain leadership capability levels

3. Culture

Shape and embed a customer obsessed, high-performance and inclusive culture
Drive consistency of colleague experience across all locations
Align behaviours with brand values and customer expectations

4. Change & Transformation

Lead organisational and cultural aspects of transformation, ensuring people plans enable delivery of strategic outcomes
Develop a single way of change and change tool kit that drives improved adoption and engagement
Equip leaders to manage frequent operational change brilliantly

5. Future Workforce Planning

Lead strategic workforce planning to define the workforce of the future, considering future skills, org shape and size
Ensure the organisation has the right people, in the right place, at the right time
Improve productivity and workforce flexibility

6. Data, Insight & Performance

Use people and operational data to drive decisions and identify trends to inform OD priorities
Define metrics for organisational effectiveness and track impact
Translate insight into practical, business-focused actions

7. Stakeholder Engagement

Act as a trusted partner to leaders and Executive team, gaining their buy-in and commitment to change and initiatives
Influence organisation design, capability, and culture decisions
Work collaboratively across People and business leadership

D&I statement

Dunelm is committed to becoming an inclusive business that is representative of our customers and locations. We recognise the value in diversity and welcome applications from all candidates regardless of age, race, religion, disability, gender or sexual identity, socio-economic background or education. We are committed to making Dunelm a place where everyone can enjoy a successful career and have systems in place to support all our colleagues. We are seeking applications from candidates who share our values and celebrate diversity in all its forms.

Our commitment to you

Accessibility allows everyone to have an equitable chance when applying and showing off their potential, which helps us create a more inclusive and diverse team that brings fresh ideas and perspectives.

Should you need it, we have an accessibility tool available in the top menu to support you when you’re completing your application. If you require any other reasonable adjustments during the application and assessment process, reach out to your recruitment partner.

Work your way

We want our colleagues to feel at home wherever they work, so that they are comfortable and can be their best selves. In addition, we want everyone to feel connected to the business, our strategy and the teams they work with.

Where hybrid working is applicable, colleagues need to strike the right balance to fulfil both of these important factors. You will find the right mix of being at home, in the office & out in the business, bearing in mind business needs, job role and level of responsibility.

Wellbeing is more than just a buzzword here

From our Wellbeing Buddies and Mental Health First Aid training to our progressive parental leave, menopause policies and Colleague Support Fund, we're committed to supporting our colleagues in every area – and at every stage – of their lives. Through our partnership with the Retail Trust, everyone at Dunelm has free access to a 24/7 Virtual GP, as well as therapy and counselling, plus information, guidance and advice in all areas of financial, emotional and physical wellbeing.

Taking opportunities

Meet Amanda, our Chief Stores and People Director, who shares how she feels empowered to take opportunities every day, why Dunelm is her happy place, and why it’s a really exciting time to join us.

Look in our toy box

Of course, you should never judge a business by its tech stack. But take a peek at the range of technologies our engineers and developers are currently playing with.

Where you’ll
be working

Here is where you'll be based, whether that's an office, or store or one of our sites.

Watermead Business Park, Pontylue Way, Leicester, Leicestershire, LE71AD

Get Directions

Keep on growing

We want you to get as much out of working with us as possible. That's why we'll do everything we can to engage you in the process of learning, and encourage you to explore new opportunities around your particular skills and interests. For you, this includes:

Housewarming & Settling In where you can find out more about the wider business, our culture, behaviours, networks and wellbeing support

Thrive, our learning and skills platform which gives you a blended, bite-sized, social learning experience with learning relevant to your role

Our Enterprise Leadership Programme designed specifically for our strong growth potential Heads of Department to help them reach the next level in their career

Our INSPIRE Programme designed for our strong growth potential senior managers across the business to enhance their leadership capability

Our EXPLORE Programme designed to prepare our next generation of Line Managers

Personal Effectiveness workshops and self-led learning, also delivered through Thrive

Apprenticeships opportunities relevant to your role – from level 2 (equivalent to GCSE) through to Level 7 (equivalent to Masters)

Colleague Development Fund to support colleagues in accessing external training relevant to your role

Coaching and mentoring to support you in your current role and help you prepare for the next

Functional academies that offer training to support you in the technical aspects of your role

Self-awareness tools to help you understand what really matters to you, and where your own talents and ambitions lie

Progress conversations that reflect on how you're doing and define your focus areas for the coming months

Career conversations that explore what you want from your career, in light of your current capabilities, potential and future aspirations

Meet your team

Meet your team

I’m in my happy place when…

"There's a lot of knowledge between us and we learn from each other. But there's also plenty of scope to explore your own ideas."

Sasha, Finance Manager

Meet your team

I’m in my happy place when…

"As a Wellbeing Buddy, I'm here to help colleagues talk openly and honestly about their mental health."

Abi, Internal Communications Manager

Meet your team

I’m in my happy place when…

"I’m surrounded by people, part of a great team and with a tea in hand. If I can walk away from my day knowing I’ve had a positive impact on someone, that means everything to me."