Director of Talent

Shaw Trust
Home based with UK-wide travel
£100,000 per annum
Hackney

At Shaw Trust, we’re determined to help everyone build a foundation for life and find work they can be proud of. We believe that meaningful work can give people a sense of purpose. But we also know that for some of us, it can often feel out of reach.

That’s why we’re going above and beyond to help people realise their potential. That’s why we accept the risks and challenges other organisations won’t, to help those who face the biggest disadvantages. We don’t just see people for who they are, we see them for who they want to be. And we never turn anyone away based on who they are or where they come from.

We spend every day listening to thousands of people’s stories and understanding their hopes and needs. That’s how we know there’s no one size fits all approach. Our help is personal. Which is why we don’t just focus on the job at the end of it all, but on education, care and wellbeing.

Our efforts don’t stop there. We work with commissioners, employers and other partners to find better solutions. We strengthen communities by removing barriers to education and employment. And we fight for equality, opportunity and inclusion.

We’ve come a long way since we started in 1982. But our values have stayed the same. We now face new challenges. The inequality gap has grown bigger, and employment as we know it has completely changed. So our work is more important now than ever before.

We are Shaw Trust, and we won’t stop until every single person has the best possible chance in life.

THE ROLE

In this brand new role, you will spearhead our efforts to understand, value and deploy the extraordinary range of skills and backgrounds already working in our organisation.

You will be playing a pivotal role in ensuring Shaw Trust remains a values-driven organisation that invests in its people, removes barriers to opportunity, and builds a skilled, supported, and empowered workforce. Through strategic leadership in talent, learning and inclusion, this role will ensure Shaw Trust colleagues truly have the capability and confidence needed to deliver life changing outcomes for the people and communities we serve.

This is a broad role, encompassing a range of different aspects of talent and workforce development, and which has a bearing on Shaw Trust’s culture and values. The Director of Talent will also be de facto deputy to the Chief People Officer; as part of this, you will carry influence across our organisation, establishing and strengthening the coaching and mentoring culture we need.

We’re looking for an exceptional leader who shares our sense of purpose and can bring a breadth of professional expertise to the role. A credible track record in another senior leadership role within Talent, Learning & Development, Organisational Development or Workforce Planning will be essential. Whichever area of specialism you join us from, you will have earned considerable success in designing and delivering large-scale talent development strategies in other complex, multi-service organisations.

We are also looking for extensive experience of implementing, optimising or overseeing Learning Management Systems (LMS) and digital learning ecosystems, as well as a robust background of designing career pathways, leadership programmes and capability frameworks linked to organisational strategy.

INFORMATION

Download the candidate brief to find out about the role.

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How to apply

To make an application, please click on the apply now button below, with the following prepared:

  • a CV (no more than three sides) or equivalent biographical information
  • a short covering letter that sets out your motivation and responds directly to Part One of the Person Specification
  • please tell us if there are any dates during the selection process (outlined below) when you would not be available to participate.

We would also be grateful if you would complete the Equality and Diversity monitoring form on the online application process. This form is for monitoring purposes only and is not treated as part of your application.

Recruitment timeline

Closing date: Friday 24th April 2026

Preliminary interviews: Early-mid May 2026

Final Panel interviews: Late May 2026

Apply