Head of Strategic Planning Partnering

About us

UCL's Office of the Vice President (Strategy) is responsible for the development of institutional strategy and coordination of the processes that ensure that UCL’s overarching strategic objectives are reflected in planning at all levels of the organisation.

The Office of the Vice President (Strategy) consists of four teams which work collaboratively and effectively to ensure a fully integrated approach to all aspects of strategy planning, development and implementation. The teams work very closely with the other Vice-Provost and Vice-President offices of the university, as well as UCL Estates Development, the Pro-Provost UCL East Office, particularly in relation to Phase 2 of the UCL East campus development, the Office of the General Counsel and UCL Finance.

About the role

We are recruiting a for a Head of Strategic Planning Partnering to lead our team of Strategic Planning Partners. They work with our Faculties and Departments on the effective delivery of UCL’s most significant strategic priorities. In this role, you will collaborate with UCL’s Faculties and Departments to advance some of the university’s most critical strategic priorities. At UCL, a large, intricate, and highly devolved organisation, strategic planning requires seamless coordination across the central Vice-Provost and Vice-President offices, our Professional Services teams, and 11 diverse Faculties.

As Head of Strategic Planning Partnering, you will guide and develop a talented team of Strategic Planning Partners, each working closely with specific Faculties to understand their distinct cultures, priorities, and ambitions. Together, you’ll ensure effective alignment with UCL’s Strategic Plan 2022-27, supporting each Faculty’s unique objectives as part of an integrated planning framework. Your role will also involve managing student number planning and setting tuition fees, a crucial aspect of our integrated approach that supports the work of the Recruitment and Admissions Committee (RAC).

This position offers the opportunity to engage in a variety of cross-functional projects and areas within the strategic planning unit, especially as we enter an exciting phase of implementing a new integrated planning process in 2024/25. The role will involve elements of change management and transformation, especially around core planning functions like student number and fee setting, as we adapt and refine our processes.

Interviews will be held in-person on 10th December.

About you

You are a strategic thinker with proven expertise in planning and performance management, ready to turn ambitious goals into actionable programmes. You bring a wealth of experience in co-designing solutions to complex challenges, backed by an analytical approach that helps you draw insights from diverse data sources to shape effective solutions.

Your ability to communicate with clarity and impact is one of your key strengths, allowing you to effectively engage and influence audiences at all levels. You are confident providing critical challenge where needed and have a knack for fostering constructive relationships across teams and departments. In addition, you bring valuable experience in managing and developing high-performing teams, along with an interest or background in the higher education sector or similar public-purpose settings.

As a proactive problem-solver, you anticipate issues before they arise and demonstrate initiative in driving projects forward. Your organisational skills are exceptional, allowing you to manage and execute multiple priorities effectively. With a collaborative, entrepreneurial spirit, you are eager to innovate and experiment, creating impactful products and services that advance strategic planning in a complex environment.

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