Director of Strategic Planning

Director of Strategic Planning: Up to £110,000 + benefits | London Hybrid | 12 Month Contract For a prestigious University in London, we are recruiting the Executive Director of Strategic Planning initially until December 2026 on a Fixed Contract. Reporting to the CFO, the Executive Director of Strategic Planning will lead the integrated annual planning process, aligning resources and activities with the University's strategic priorities, and as they move forward with an exciting merger, this role will play a pivotal part in ensuring operational readiness and long-term strategic success. This executive leadership role will lead a multi-functional Strategic Planning team to deliver strategic and operational analytical insight, student number planning, and statutory returns. Main Duties: • Lead the integrated annual planning process, aligning resources and activities with the University's strategic priorities • Provide advanced analytics and actionable insights to inform decision-making, monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), and guide strategic direction. • Accountable for all university statutory returns and for maintaining integrity and governance of Academic Workload Plan Management • Oversee critical operational tools, ensuring governance and integrity across the University’s strategic and academic planning processes. • Key lead in an exciting merger, partnering both strategic planning offices to identify and manage integration plans for Day 1 readiness and immediate operational effectiveness. • Co-leadership role with CIO to deliver Data & Reporting Transformation project to set data governance standards and reporting platform for multiple data sets • Lead on the development and implementation of annual planning processes • Support senior leadership team in the implementation of strategic plans including allocation of resources • Support the leadership team with strategy formulation via expert knowledge and analysis, MI and KPI’s • Lead and develop business intelligence including data analysis, visualisation, and predictive analytics • Develop first-class management information, competitor analysis, market insight, horizon scanning and scenario planning • Oversee the preparation of all statutory strategic planning returns to external bodies to ensure the comply with HESA Data Futures and Office for Students requirements • Lead, motivate and manage a team of highly performing staff Person Specification: • An exceptional leader with a proven track record in strategic planning, insightful analytics and value driven monitoring of strategic KPIs, within a complex environment. • Advanced analytical skills and an in-depth understanding of the Higher Education sector (desired). • Ability to manage high-level strategic projects, work collaboratively across departments, and drive change will be essential for success in this role. • Proven track record of bringing the best out of their staff and creating an environment in which they can thrive. • Experience of leading and implementing complex strategic projects • Leading business planning at a strategic level • Production of first-class management information reporting with presentation to committees and senior leadership • Experience of delivering planning and performance provision to support strategic decision making • Proven leadership skills and ability to influence a range of internal and external stakeholders • Advanced Excel, Tableau, and dashboard development