OD Practitioner with certificate of sponsorship to the UK
Important Visa Note
University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust offers a certificate of sponsorship for eligible international candidates. However, applicants must verify their visa eligibility requirements directly with the employer before applying. The certificate of sponsorship does not guarantee visa approval.
Job Details
Company: University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust
Location: Royal Stoke University Hospital, Newcastle Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 6QG
Salary: £38,682 to £46,580 per annum
Schedule: Full-time, Job share available
Employment Type: Permanent
Language: English
Application Deadline: 04 March 2026
Reference Number: 205-7692911-A
About the Role
This OD Practitioner position sits within the People Directorate’s OD, Culture & Inclusion (ODCI) team, supporting the Assistant Director of ODCI and the OD Consultant team in delivering the ‘People’ priorities of the Trust’s Strategy. The post involves the provision of structured OD interventions and programmes across all portfolios.
The role offers a broad remit including the design, delivery, and evaluation of leadership development activities, OD projects, and working in partnership with OD Consultants to support Care Groups and Divisions. This is an excellent opportunity for international candidates seeking to advance their career in organisational development within the UK’s NHS system.
Successful candidates will have the opportunity to lead the Connects Leadership Development & Improvement Programme – Silver Award, helping to improve organisational culture, leadership capability, and colleague experience across the hospital.
Key Responsibilities
Support OD Consultants in delivering commissioned organisational development activities for care groups. This may include team or individual interventions focused on areas such as team dynamics, psychological safety, wellbeing, leadership development, and behavioural change.
Work collaboratively with OD Consultants to diagnose issues, co-design solutions, and develop action plans that foster a positive environment and enhance individual and team performance. This requires strong analytical skills and the ability to facilitate meaningful change within complex healthcare environments.
Provide empathetic support to colleagues and teams in emotionally challenging situations, demonstrating active listening, reframing, and guidance to promote wellbeing and resilience. The NHS environment can be demanding, and this role requires someone who can support staff through difficult times.
Take responsibility for leading the Connects Leadership Development & Improvement Programme – Silver Award. This will involve collaboration in the design, delivery, planning and administration of a range of bespoke masterclasses aimed at improving leadership capabilities throughout the organisation.
Facilitate learning and development through leadership programme content, using a blended delivery approach (face-to-face sessions and virtual platforms). Ensure engagement by adapting to different learning styles, managing interaction tools, and tailoring delivery to varied participant needs.
Deliver and evaluate development solutions at individual, team and organisational level to ensure objectives are achieved. This requires strong project management skills and the ability to measure impact effectively.
Conduct research to design innovative, informative, and challenging learning sessions. Provide recommendations aligned with good practice and national agendas, demonstrating a commitment to continuous learning, quality improvement, and innovation.
Manage your own workload and priorities while collaborating with aligned administrators to plan and schedule activities, maintain accurate learning records, and review data to inform decisions. Effective time management and organisational skills are essential for success in this role.
Work collaboratively across teams, building networks and establishing effective working relationships across all care groups. Acting as a role model by demonstrating leadership knowledge and credibility across all stakeholders, ensuring a positive image reflecting the organisational values.
Attend a range of internal and external meetings as deemed appropriate for the role to provide input from an OD perspective. This role requires excellent communication skills and the ability to represent the OD function effectively.
There will be a requirement to work/commute across all Trust sites, including Royal Stoke University Hospital and County Hospital in Stafford. Flexibility and willingness to travel between sites is essential for this position.
About University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust
University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust is one of the largest and most modern in the country. Based across two sites, Royal Stoke in Stoke-on-Trent and County Hospital in Stafford, we are proud to serve around three million people and we’re highly regarded for our facilities, teaching and research. We are the specialist centre for major trauma for the North Midlands and North Wales.
All employees make a valuable contribution regardless of role here at UHNM, and we are proud of our wide range of development packages aimed at ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to fulfil their true potential. For international candidates joining our team, we provide comprehensive support to help you settle into life and work in the UK.
UHNM creates and encourages a culture of inclusion, providing equal opportunities for career development that are fair and transparent. We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer and foster a culture in which all staff feel valued and respected. This commitment extends to our international colleagues who bring valuable perspectives and experiences to our organisation.
At University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, we know that investing in, supporting, and developing our staff has a direct impact on the quality of care that we deliver. Our employees are as important as our patients and the population that we serve. This philosophy drives our approach to staff development and support, particularly for those relocating to the UK from other countries.
Person Specification
Essential Qualifications
Educated to degree level or equivalent experience. Candidates with international qualifications should provide details of their educational background for equivalency assessment.
Evidence of continuous professional development in organisational development, leadership, or related fields. This could include certifications, training programmes, or self-directed learning.
Training qualification or demonstrable level of equivalent experience of delivery/group facilitation. Candidates should be prepared to provide examples of their experience in designing and delivering training or facilitation sessions.
Desirable Qualifications
Specific experience in OD setting. Prior experience working within healthcare organisations would be advantageous but is not essential.
Experience in continuous improvement methodology such as Lean, Six Sigma, or other quality improvement frameworks commonly used in healthcare settings.
Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Experience
Basic understanding of Organisational Development, including models and theories. Candidates should be familiar with key OD frameworks and approaches to organisational change.
Awareness of Leadership Development concepts, including wellbeing and psychological safety. Understanding of how to create environments that support both leadership effectiveness and staff wellbeing.
Experience of delivering training or sessions to various levels of audience (mixed platforms). Demonstrated ability to engage diverse groups and adapt delivery methods to different learning styles.
Professional communication skills: listening, influencing, networking, stakeholder engagement. Ability to build effective relationships at all levels of the organisation and influence change positively.
Facilitation skills and knowledge of different learning styles and approaches to engagement. Experience in designing and facilitating group processes that drive meaningful outcomes.
Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and Experience
Knowledge of the principles of Coaching and being able to demonstrate coaching skills. Experience in one-to-one or group coaching approaches to support leadership development.
Ability to understand and interpret data to inform decisions. Skills in data analysis and using insights to drive evidence-based organisational development interventions.
Personal Qualities
Be confident and engaging with the ability to build rapport. Someone who can quickly establish trust and credibility with colleagues at all levels.
Highly motivated, positive mindset in respect to change, transformation and continuous improvement. Resilient and adaptable approach to working in a dynamic healthcare environment.
Flexible, adaptable and resourceful – ability to deliver work of a consistent high quality. Someone who can manage competing priorities and maintain high standards even when facing challenges.
Certificate of Sponsorship Information
University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust is pleased to offer a certificate of sponsorship for eligible international candidates. This sponsorship allows skilled workers from outside the UK to work legally in the UK under the Skilled Worker visa route.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information about the sponsorship process, candidates should contact the recruitment team directly.
Please note that from 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants applying for entry clearance into the UK have been required to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement.
How to Apply
Apply Instructions: Apply via NHS Jobs website.
For international candidates interested in this position with certificate of sponsorship, we recommend following these steps:
- Verify your eligibility for a Skilled Worker visa through the UK Visas and Immigration website
- Gather required documentation including educational certificates, proof of English language proficiency, and criminal record certificates from any countries where you’ve lived for 12+ months in the past 10 years
- Prepare a CV that clearly outlines your relevant experience and qualifications in organisational development
- Complete the online application through the NHS Jobs portal
- For questions about sponsorship eligibility, contact Carrie Lippitt (OD Consultant) at carrie.lippitt@uhnm.nhs.uk or 01782675584
University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust is committed to supporting international candidates through the application and relocation process. We value the diverse perspectives and experiences that colleagues from around the world bring to our organisation.
Equal Opportunities
As a Disability Confident Employer and holder of the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold award, University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of race, gender, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or transgender status.
All appointments are subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, and a Disclosure and Barring Service check will be required for the successful candidate.