Future of Work, Organisations Design Director

Life Unlimited. At Smith+Nephew we design and manufacture technology that takes the limits off living. The Future of Work and Organisational Design Director is a strategic, enterprise-critical role responsible for shaping how work, talent, and organisational models evolve in an AI-enabled environment. Working across HR, Technology, and Business leadership, the role translates complex workforce and digital talent needs into clear, actionable strategies-connecting talent strategy, organisational design, and workforce planning and transformation and technology to ensure we are prepared for emerging trends (including AI augmentation, evolving employee experience, and new models of work) to accelerate business outcomes. At the same time, the role defines and embeds enterprise-wide organisational design frameworks, ensuring scalable, consistent approaches to skills-based, AI-enabled workforce transformation.

What will you be doing?

As a key part of the initial remit of this position, the incumbent will lead the Digital Talent Win Room as a core operating model from day one. In this role, they will partner across HR COEs to create the vision and roadmap for an evolved digital talent experience. They will then lead the delivery of these enhancements and ensure execution of solutions to drive a candidate-centric, agile talent activation engine that delivers evolving business priorities. Success in this role is defined by the ability to mobilize talent at pace, build sustainable operating models, and embed future-of-work practices that enhance organizational agility, capability, and long-term performance. Oversee the DTWR for a six-month period included managing an agile interim cross-Center of Excellence team comprising approximately five CoE leads, such as a Scrum Master, AI People Partner, Recruiters, SWP Analyst, and Onboarding Specialist.

Digital Talent Win Room Leadership

• Set and evolve DTWR vision, roadmap, and value proposition aligned to enterprise priorities.
• Own end-to-end delivery of digital talent outcomes from demand through deployment.
• Lead cross-CoE agile pod and manage backlog, priorities, and delivery rhythm
• Embed a candidate-centric, design-led approach to talent solutions
• Define and track DTWR KPIs and communicate progress to stakeholders
• Act as integrator across HR, digital, and business stakeholders
• Bring Pod level observations into AI Realization Office (PMO) discussions

Cross-CoE Talent Strategy & Partnership

• Partner across TA, SWP, AI People Partner and CoEs to deliver integrated talent strategies aligned to macro trends (AI, automation, gig economy, skills-based models, etc)
• Translate business priorities into build, buy, borrow, bind, bot talent plans
• Build trusted relationships across enterprise stakeholders
• Connect talent, organisation design, and transformation priorities

Enterprise Organisational Design & Future of Work

• Design enterprise-wide organisation frameworks integrating human and AI roles
• Translate DTWR insights into scalable organisation design standards and toolkits
• Define future-of-work models including hybrid and AI-augmented roles
• Align organisation design with talent strategy and workforce planning

Agile Delivery & Value Realisation

• Embed product owner discipline including backlog, sprints, and stakeholder reviews
• Define and measure business value of talent interventions
• Continuously improve solutions based on user feedback
• Foster agile, high-performance team culture

Governance & Capability Enablement

• Establish governance, decision rights, and design standards
• Build capability across HRBPs and leaders through tools and coaching
• Ensure consistent application across enterprise
• Contribute to enterprise workforce strategy and insights

Success Outcomes:

• DTWR operates as a high-impact, scalable talent engine delivering measurable outcomes
• Organisation design frameworks (human + AI) are embedded and consistently applied
• Strong cross-functional partnerships enable rapid, aligned decisions
• Talent, organisation design, and workforce planning are fully integrated
• Organisation demonstrates increased agility and capability deployment

What will you need to be successful?

• Deep expertise in digital, data, AI/ML and product talent landscapes
• Talent supply strategy (internal mobility, hiring, ecosystem partnerships)
• Organisational design & workforce architecture (roles, structures, spans/layers)
• Strategic workforce planning inputs (skills taxonomy, segmentation, future roles)
• Talent analytics and insight generation (pipeline, velocity, capability gaps)
• Transformation programme delivery (e.g. digital/AI, agile working)
• Strategic Thinking & Innovation - Translates complexity into clear direction while bringing creativity to reframe problems and shape forward-looking solutions
• Decision Making & Judgement - Exercises sound judgement and makes timely, high-quality decisions in ambiguous or evolving situations
• Critical Thinking & Problem Solving - Interprets complex information, challenges assumptions, and drives clear, insight-led action
• Influencing & Stakeholder Leadership - Builds alignment and drives outcomes across senior stakeholders in a matrixed environment
• Delivery Discipline & Accountability - Drives execution with pace and rigour, taking ownership for outcomes and demonstrating strong ethical accountability
• Adaptability & Learning Agility - Responds effectively to change, feedback, and new information, continuously evolving approach and thinking
• Communication Impact - Translates complex workforce and organisational topics into clear, commercially grounded, executive-ready narratives
• Collaboration & Partnership - Works seamlessly across functions and teams, building trusted relationships to deliver enterprise outcomes

Location: US, UK or Poland

You Unlimited.

• The anticipated base compensation range for this position is $136,00 - $194,125 USD annually. The actual base pay offered to the successful candidate will be based on multiple factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge/skills, experience, and geographic location. Compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate. In addition to base pay, we offer competitive bonus and benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, 401(k), tuition reimbursement, medical leave programs, parental leave, generous PTO, paid company holidays, 8 hours of volunteer time annually, and a variety of wellness offerings such as EAP.

• Inclusion + Belonging: Committed to Welcoming, Celebrating and Thriving. Learn more about our Employee Inclusion Groups on our website

• Your Future: 401k Matching Program, 401k Plus Program, Discounted Stock Options, Tuition Reimbursement

• Work/Life Balance: Flexible Personal/Vacation Time Off, Paid Holidays, Flex Holidays, Paid Community Service Day

• Your Wellbeing: Medical, Dental, Vision, Health Savings Account (Employer Contribution of $500+ annually), Employee Assistance Program, Parental Leave, Fertility and Adoption Assistance Program

• Flexibility: Hybrid Work Model (For most professional roles)

• Training: Hands-On, Team-Customized, Mentorship

• Extra Perks: Discounts on fitness clubs, travel and more!

Smith+Nephew provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.

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