About
Learn more about the Organisational Development team and the services that we provide.
About the OD team
Organisational Development (OD) is the central team responsible for staff learning and development at ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ. Our work links directly to our OD Plan, the and the overall .
We are dedicated to empowering and inspiring every individual within the University to realise their full potential through development opportunities, strategic interventions, professional advice, innovative practices, and a commitment to fostering a culture of psychological safety and continuous improvement.
Our mission is to work with staff at all levels to cultivate a workplace environment that values collaboration, inclusivity, and adaptability; and an organisation that is resilient, agile and high performing.
What are the main functions of the OD team?
- Staff Learning and Development
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In addition to ensuring full utilisation of the University's learning management system and overseeing the mandatory training for staff, we offer a range of development opportunities designed to equip staff with the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in their roles.
These include:
- our termly calendar of workshops and events
- the Staff Apprenticeship Scheme
- the Staff Mentoring Programme
- the internal Job Shadowing scheme
- a curated collection of e-learning on the Online Learning Hub
- and one-to-one coaching for staff and managers (subject to capacity).
- Organisational Development Consultancy
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Our OD Consultants work with teams and departments to identify skill gaps, and design and facilitate commissioned team-building activities and development programmes that align with strategic goals. The focus is on progressing the team/department’s internal processes, structures, culture, and people, to enhance their overall effectiveness, efficiency, and performance. We use a consultative learning approach that involves seeking the input and feedback of others so that we can better understand and address the needs and challenges of staff, build trust and collaboration, and find effective solutions to achieve sustainable growth and success.
Managers and leaders looking for support with team learning and development should complete the online , providing details of the situation and expected outcomes. An OD Consultant (ODC) will respond within 5 working days.
- Change Management
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Facilitating and managing organisational change initiatives by supporting staff through transitions and encouraging a smooth and collaborative adoption of new ways of working.
- Leadership Development
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Identifying and developing leadership competencies at all levels. Supporting the development of a leadership pipeline to support continuity and succession planning.
- Employee Engagement
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Working with the Internal Communications team to design and implement strategies to enhance employee engagement. Conduct staff surveys and support action planning to measure and improve employee satisfaction. Utilise the data to support the development of a positive work environment and a sense of belonging.
- Quality Assurance and Evaluation
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Support quality assurance through monitoring, reviewing, and evaluating staff development. Establishing metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess the impact of OD interventions. Conduct regular evaluations to measure the effectiveness of learning and organisational development initiatives. Use data and feedback to make informed decisions and improvements.
- New Staff Inductions
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Support employee inductions by creating and implementing a positive and effective onboarding experience that contributes to employee engagement, retention, and overall satisfaction. Organising and facilitating the termly Welcome Sessions for new staff.
- Achievement and Development Reviews
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Provide documentation, guidance and training for all staff in setting Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time bound (SMART) goals, enabling the provision of effective feedback over 12 months.
Contact and advice
Organisational Development
Human Resource
Sussex House SH-230
ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ
Brighton BN1 9RH
od@sussex.ac.uk
01273 075533 (ext 5533)
Looking for support from the OD team?
Managers and leaders looking for support with team learning and development should complete the online , providing details of the situation and expected outcomes. An OD Consultant (ODC) will respond within 5 working days.
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