Executive Director for People, Inclusion & Organisational Development

Description

WithYou is not just a charity - it’s a movement. We stand shoulder to shoulder with people facing challenges with drugs, alcohol, and mental health, guided by a simple but powerful ethos: working with people, not for them. That philosophy runs through everything we do, ensuring that every individual is treated with dignity, empowered to make the changes they want, and supported with compassion and respect. Across more than 80 locations in England and Scotland, we support over 100,000 people each year. Our services range from counselling and group therapy to residential rehabilitation, harm reduction advice, and digital support. We also deliver programmes in prisons and communities, recognising that alcohol, drugs and mental health challenges rarely exist in isolation. By embedding lived experience into everything we do, we ensure our support is not only professional but deeply authentic. With an annual income of over £80 million, we have the scale to deliver nationally, but we never lose sight of the individual. We work with them on the changes they want to make, and their goals and circumstances will inform how we tailor support.

The Role and What You’ll Achieve

This is a role for a leader who wants to leave a legacy. As Executive Director of People, Inclusion and Organisational Development, you will sit at the heart of our Executive Leadership Team, reporting directly to the CEO. You will be responsible for shaping the future of our workforce, our culture, and our organisational development strategy.

This is about more than HR. It is about creating a thriving, inclusive environment where staff, volunteers, and leaders feel empowered to deliver life‑changing outcomes. You will lead the People function, champion equality, diversity and inclusion, and ensure our organisational development strategy is fully aligned with our mission. From strategic workforce planning to embedding lived experience into our work, you will be the driving force behind a culture of growth, collaboration, and innovation.

You will build on an existing strong team and culture and continue to transform our People and Organisational Development function inline with the needs of the internal national teams and the communities you support. You will continue to embed inclusive practices across the organisation, amplifying lived experience and ensuring EDI is not just a policy but a lived reality. You will drive strategic workforce planning, aligning talent acquisition and development with organisational needs, and foster a culture of continuous learning by sponsoring leadership and development programmes that empower staff at every level.

You will also be a visible leader externally, building strong relationships with regulators, unions, and sector leaders, ensuring WithYou remains a trusted voice in the sector. Internally, you will work hand‑in‑hand with the CEO and Executive Team to shape and deliver our strategic vision, ensuring people and culture are at the centre of everything we do.

About You

We are looking for a dynamic leader who combines strategic vision with operational excellence. You will bring a CIPD Level qualification alongside extensive HR experience. You will have a proven track record in senior HR leadership within complex organisations, with expertise in organisational development, people strategy, and workforce planning.

You will be confident navigating complex people‑related challenges with both compassion and decisiveness. You will have strong knowledge of employment law and governance, and exceptional communication and relationship‑building skills that enable you to influence at all levels. Above all, you will be passionate about inclusion, diversity, and creating positive workplace cultures where people feel valued and inspired.

We welcome the unique contributions that you can bring and we encourage people from underrepresented communities and backgrounds to apply to join our team, including people with lived experience, people with disabilities, people from racialised communities, LGBTQ+ people and armed forces veterans.

This is a chance to shape the future of a national charity making a real difference. You will join a collaborative, values‑driven environment where innovation and inclusion thrive, and you will have the opportunity to lead sector‑wide conversations on people, culture, and organisational development. Alongside this, you will receive a competitive salary and benefits package, and the chance to work with colleagues who are as committed to change as you are. This is your opportunity to leave a lasting mark - building a workplace where people feel valued, supported, and inspired to change lives.

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