Interim Head of Culture

Merrifield Consultants are delighted to be partnering with a leading national health charity to recruit an Interim Head of Culture.

This is a pivotal role for an experienced culture, EDI and organisational development leader who can shape, embed and champion a values driven culture during a period of organisational change. You will lead a team of 4 and influence culture at every level of the organisation.

About the Role
The Interim Head of Culture will lead the development of a positive, inclusive and high-performing organisational culture. Working closely with senior leaders you will bring best practice insights, enhance accreditation standards and ensure that people feel engaged, empowered and supported. You will oversee key areas including EDI, wellbeing, safeguarding, L&D and people engagement.

Location: Option to work in the London or Chesterfield (moving to Sheffield June 2026) office.
Salary: 70,313 (London) or 68,598 (Chesterfield/Sheffield)
Contract: 6 months FTC
Location: Hybrid; 2 days a week in office
Must be able to travel between London and Chesterfield (then Sheffield from June 2026 onwards)
Hours: Full Time - 35 hrs per week

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a strategic Culture Framework that supports a positive, inclusive and values driven culture.
• Embed EDI, wellbeing and safeguarding principles across the organisation, ensuring fair outcomes for all.
• Lead and support teams across diversity and inclusion, safeguarding, wellbeing, learning and development, and people engagement.
• Strengthen organisational values and enhance external accreditation standards.
• Evaluate and improve the People Voice Framework to ensure staff feel heard and valued.
• Promote a culture of trust, empowerment and high performance whilst collaborating with senior leaders to align culture initiatives with organisational strategy.
• Oversee departmental planning, budgeting, forecasting and performance reporting.
• Lead, collaborate and support on projects across the organisation.
• Embrace, embed, model and deliver values and commitments throughout all activity, including making sure all designated training is complete.

About you

• Proven experience driving cultural change with measurable impact.
• Strong leadership experience across EDI, safeguarding, wellbeing, L&D and organisational development.
• Skilled in designing and delivering culture change programmes.
• Excellent written and oral communication and influencing skills, with the ability to engage at all levels.
• Ability to analyse complex and sensitive information and develop effective solutions.
• Strong relationship building and external networking skills.
• Chartered CIPD membership or equivalent experience.
• Experience in the charity or health sector (desirable).

Benefits

• Flexible hours, environments and working practices to promote a healthy work/life balance.
• Health and wellbeing support, including the Employee Assistance Programme (free confidential 24/7 support with mental health, legal and financial queries).
• Simplyhealth cash plan.
• Supportive and inclusive culture with a wide range of employee networks and support groups available to join.
• Learning and personal development opportunities.
• Competitive annual leave, with the option to buy/sell up to five days per year.
• Generous pension plan, with employer contribution of up to 10%.
• Life Assurance plan (4 x salary).

To apply, please submit your CV to Merrifield Consultants. We welcome applications from candidates who are passionate about shaping inclusive and positive organisational cultures.

We practice a diverse and inclusive recruitment process that ensures equal opportunity for all we work with, irrespective of race, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, age or gender. As an organisation, we encourage applications from all backgrounds and will ensure measures are met when required, to allow a fair process throughout.