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The University of Warwick is looking for a Strategic Planning Manager. This is a unique opportunity to work at the heart of strategic decision-making - helping to shape the University’s future and ensure alignment with its long-term objectives.

A great opportunity, if you are someone who thrives on strategic thinking, effective coordination & planning, and stakeholder engagement. You’ll also enjoy bringing clarity and structure to complex processes, while contributing to the development and implementation of key initiatives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the development and delivery of strategic project plans, ensuring milestones and decision points are clearly defined and achieved.
• Provide leadership on the coordination of deliverables to ensure consistent standards, and ensuring activities are undertaken as required to successfully achieve the delivery of key milestones.
• Proactively identify and solve problems to address strategic challenges and support decision-making.
• Manage risks, dependencies, and progress tracking across multiple strategic initiatives.
• Support Strategic Planning in advancing core planning activities, driving innovation in monitoring performance and continuous process improvement.
• Deliver executive support to steering groups, workstreams, and working groups as required.
• Identifying process improvement initiatives within Strategic Planning, which could include developing SharePoint and creating KPIs.

About You

This role requires a proven track record in project management, including project planning, setting and tracking project milestones, and the use of strategic analysis tools and techniques to ensure effective structure and governance.

You will have previous experience working within a university environment and a strong understanding of Higher Education policies and procedures.

Key Info

6 month contract

Hybrid – 2 days a week on site (Anchor day – Tuesday)

£28.00 per hour

Next Steps

If you are interested please send your CV to

• Lead the development and implementation of the company's long-term strategic plan.
• Conduct in-depth market research, competitive analysis, and industry trend assessments.
• Identify and evaluate new business opportunities and strategic initiatives.
• Develop financial models and business cases to support strategic recommendations.
• Collaborate with executive leadership and department heads to ensure strategic alignment.
• Define key performance indicators (KPIs) and monitor progress against strategic objectives.
• Facilitate strategic planning workshops and presentations.
• Manage the strategic planning cycle and ensure timely delivery of key outputs.
• Stay abreast of emerging trends and disruptive technologies relevant to the industry.
• Communicate strategic vision and plans effectively throughout the organization.
• Provide strategic guidance and thought leadership to the executive team.

• Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA), Finance, Economics, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in strategic planning, corporate development, or management consulting, with a significant focus on strategy formulation.
• Proven track record of developing and successfully implementing complex business strategies.
• Exceptional analytical, quantitative, and problem-solving skills.
• Expertise in financial modeling, market analysis, and competitive intelligence.
• Strong leadership and influencing skills, with the ability to drive consensus among diverse stakeholders.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication and presentation skills.
• Experience working in a remote-first environment and managing distributed teams is highly desirable.
• Ability to think critically and strategically, with a long-term perspective.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet tight deadlines.

• Develop and maintain sophisticated financial models for forecasting, budgeting, and scenario analysis.
• Conduct detailed analysis of financial results, identifying trends, variances, and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports and presentations for executive leadership.
• Support the strategic planning process by providing financial insights and recommendations.
• Evaluate the financial implications of new business initiatives and investments.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings and revenue enhancement.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to gather financial data and ensure accuracy.
• Streamline financial processes and reporting mechanisms.
• Stay current with industry financial trends and best practices.

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field.
• A minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in financial analysis, FP&A, or a similar role.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including complex formulas, pivot tables, and financial modelling.
• Experience with financial planning software (e.g., Anaplan, Hyperion, SAP BPC) is a plus.
• Strong understanding of GAAP/IFRS.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and quantitative skills.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex data clearly.
• Proven ability to work independently and manage time effectively in a remote setting.
• Professional certification (e.g., CIMA, ACCA, CFA) is advantageous.

• Develop and implement long-term strategic plans and operational roadmaps.
• Oversee and optimize all aspects of organizational operations to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Lead cross-functional teams in strategic initiatives, project management, and business process improvement.
• Analyze market trends, competitive landscape, and internal performance data to identify opportunities and risks.
• Develop and manage the operational budget, ensuring fiscal responsibility and resource optimization.
• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to track progress against strategic goals.
• Drive innovation and continuous improvement across all operational areas.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including board members, senior management, and external partners.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to operational teams, fostering a high-performance culture.
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations and industry standards.
• Prepare comprehensive reports and presentations for executive leadership and the board of directors.
• Manage change initiatives effectively, ensuring smooth transitions and employee buy-in.

• Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA), Management, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in strategic planning, operations management, and leadership roles.
• Proven track record of successfully developing and implementing complex business strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to drive operational excellence and achieve significant business outcomes.
• Strong financial acumen and experience with budgeting and P&L management.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience managing teams and projects in a hybrid work environment.
• Proficiency in project management methodologies and tools.
• Ability to think strategically and execute tactically.

• Manage and coordinate complex calendars for senior executives, including scheduling meetings, appointments, and travel arrangements (when applicable).
• Prepare and edit correspondence, reports, presentations, and other documents with a high degree of accuracy.
• Screen and prioritize incoming communications, including emails and phone calls, ensuring timely and appropriate responses.
• Organize and maintain digital filing systems, ensuring easy retrieval of important information.
• Coordinate internal and external meetings, including preparing agendas, taking minutes, and distributing action items.
• Conduct research and compile data for various projects and reports as requested by executives.
• Manage executive expenses and prepare reports, ensuring adherence to company policies.
• Act as a primary point of contact between executives and internal/external clients, fostering positive relationships.
• Support event planning and coordination for virtual and in-person activities.
• Anticipate the needs of the executives and proactively offer solutions to enhance productivity and efficiency.
• Maintain confidentiality and discretion in all communications and tasks.

• Proven experience as an Executive Assistant, Administrative Assistant, or similar role, preferably in a remote or distributed team environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and virtual collaboration tools (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Slack).
• Exceptional organizational, time management, and multitasking abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a strong command of English grammar and business etiquette.
• High level of discretion, professionalism, and a proactive, problem-solving attitude.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a remote team, demonstrating initiative and resourcefulness.
• Experience in managing complex travel arrangements and international logistics is a plus.

• Lead the strategic planning process, including market analysis, competitive intelligence, and scenario planning.
• Develop and refine the organization's overall strategic vision, mission, and long-term objectives.
• Translate high-level strategy into actionable plans, roadmaps, and initiatives across different business units.
• Facilitate strategic workshops and discussions with senior leadership and key stakeholders.
• Monitor the implementation of strategic initiatives, tracking progress against key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Identify emerging trends, opportunities, and threats in the market and provide strategic recommendations.
• Conduct financial analysis and modeling to support strategic decision-making and investment appraisal.
• Collaborate with functional leaders to ensure alignment of departmental plans with the overall corporate strategy.
• Develop and maintain frameworks for strategic planning and performance management.
• Communicate the strategic direction and progress to internal and external stakeholders.

• A minimum of 7-10 years of experience in strategic planning, corporate strategy, or a related consulting role, ideally within a corporate environment.
• Proven track record of developing and implementing successful business strategies.
• Exceptional analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong understanding of various business models, market dynamics, and competitive strategy frameworks.
• Excellent financial acumen and experience with financial modeling and analysis.
• Outstanding communication, presentation, and influencing skills, with the ability to engage effectively with C-suite executives.
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities and the ability to drive consensus and action.
• Proficiency in strategic planning tools and methodologies.
• An MBA or Master's degree in Business Administration, Finance, or a related field is highly desirable.
• Experience in the specific industry sector of the organization is a significant advantage.

• Develop and articulate the company's strategic vision, mission, and long-term objectives.
• Lead the annual strategic planning process, engaging with senior leadership and departmental heads to define priorities and initiatives.
• Conduct market research, competitive analysis, and industry trend forecasting to identify opportunities and threats.
• Translate strategic objectives into actionable plans, setting clear KPIs and measurable goals.
• Monitor the execution of strategic initiatives, track progress against targets, and report findings to the executive team.
• Identify and evaluate potential mergers, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships.
• Develop business cases for new ventures and strategic investments.
• Facilitate strategic planning workshops and alignment sessions.
• Provide guidance and support to business units in developing their departmental strategies.
• Ensure effective communication of the strategic plan throughout the organization.
• Analyze financial performance and market data to inform strategic decision-making.
• Foster a culture of strategic thinking and innovation across all levels of the company.

• MBA or Master's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Economics, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in strategic planning, corporate development, management consulting, or a related analytical role.
• Proven track record of developing and implementing successful corporate strategies.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong understanding of financial modeling, market analysis, and business valuation techniques.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders.
• Experience in project management and leading cross-functional teams.
• Proficiency in strategic planning frameworks and tools.
• This hybrid role requires the candidate to be based in or able to commute to the Wolverhampton, West Midlands, UK area, with designated days for in-office work and remote flexibility.