UCL is a radically different university. Founded in 1826 in the heart of London we are a multidisciplinary university, with more than 16,000 staff and 50,000 students from over 150 countries. We were the first university in England to welcome students of any religion and the first to welcome women on equal terms with men. UCL is a diverse community with the freedom and courage to challenge, to question and to think differently.
UCL is regularly ranked amongst the top 10 universities in the world and recently named University of the Year 2024 by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024. Our progressive approach to teaching and research, our world leading academics, curious students and outstanding staff continually pursue excellence, break boundaries, and make an impact on real world problems.
The 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: Strategic Planning, Academic Strategy Development, Data & Insight and Strategy Implementation. These four teams work collaboratively and effectively with each other to ensure a fully integrated approach to all aspects of strategy planning, development and implementation.
About the role
We are looking for an experienced leader to head up the Strategic Planning Team who will oversee the implementation of a new, integrated strategic planning framework including developing processes in consultation with key internal stakeholders that link overarching UCL strategy and ambition to planning at all levels of the institution. The Director of Strategic Planning will play a key role in designing and implementing the service and shaping the team to provide high quality facilitation, analysis, advice and guidance to stakeholders at all levels of the institution. This will include supporting stakeholders in navigating the various approval pathways for strategic initiatives and opportunities as well as in annual planning exercises, reflecting on past performance and horizon scanning.
The roleholder will work closely with the Academic Strategy Development, Data & Insight Teams and Strategy Implementation teams to ensure that strategic planning processes are informed by both institutional strategy and appropriate internal and external data and intelligence and are aligned with reporting processes for institutional strategy implementation. It is crucial that the successful candidate can use their skills in working with and influencing a range of stakeholders in bringing about a change in culture, playing a key role in ensuring that the desired integration becomes embedded in practice.
Interviews will be held on 25th July in person either at our Bloomsbury Campus, or UCL East Campus, tbc.
Please refer to the attached job description for full details on this role, including the person specification. Please use the essential and desirable criteria outlined in the job description to outline your suitability for the role.
About you
To succeed in this role, you will need extensive experience in strategic planning, performance management, and data analysis within higher education or related sectors and a strong understanding of academic and corporate data sources and their application to strategic decision-making. You are able to manage a team of individuals to deliver a programme or set of objectives, and are experienced in producing and presenting reports to senior stakeholders.
You are an excellent communicator, with the ability to convey complex information clearly and persuasively, including with senior stakeholders such as the Provost, Vice Provosts and University Management Council members. Your relationship management skills are exceptional, and you can make things happen through collaboration, influencing and engagement. Additionally, you are a strategic thinker with the ability to anticipate and respond to emerging trends and challenges in higher education.
What we offer
As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents we also offer some great benefits including 41 Days holiday (including 27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days), and more!
Seniority level
Director
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Education, Other, and Strategy/Planning
Industries
Higher Education and Research Services
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