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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic planning and execution for a major financial organisation.
- Company: Join one of the UK's largest building societies focused on improving lives.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, a bonus scheme, and comprehensive wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Shape the future of a £90 billion ethical organisation with your innovative ideas.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience and exceptional communication skills required.
- Other info: Hybrid working in Coventry/Manchester; inclusive and diverse workplace.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 84000 £ per year.
About The Role
It\’s an exciting time to join The Group\’s Strategy function as we have a unique opportunity to play a key role in bringing together organisations to collaborate on high-impact initiatives.
The Strategy function will play a vital role in shaping the future direction of the combined organisation, working closely with the Group Executive and the wider senior management teams.
We\’re hiring a Head of Strategy & Planning. This role will lead the development, communication, and execution of our strategic agenda and long-term goals. The ideal candidate will bring a deep knowledge of the financial services sector, experience of developing and executing strategies in complex environments, and possess exceptional influencing skills to drive a cohesive and actionable plan.
Areas Of Responsibility
- Strategic Planning & Development: Lead the development of the Group\’s strategy
- Project Leadership: Lead and execute strategic projects end-to-end
- Stakeholder Management: Build and maintain strong relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, ensuring effective communication
- Team Contribution: Foster a collaborative and high-performing team environment
- Strategic Initiatives: Support in driving specific strategic initiatives, including identifying opportunities for business growth, mergers, acquisitions, partnerships, or market expansion
- Financial Planning & Budgeting: Collaborate with the Finance Team to develop financial forecasts, budgets, and resource allocation plans that support strategic initiatives
Why Join the Strategy Team?
- A unique opportunity to help shape the future as we bring circa 300 years of combined history together and to develop your career to the next level
- You and your ideas will help influence the transformation of a circa £90 billion member-centric and ethical organisation
Location
Coventry/Manchester. Team-led hybrid working arrangements apply – at least once a week based in the Coventry offices.
About You
To be successful in this role, you\’ll need to be a highly experienced leader with proven ability to translate your leadership skills across different functions, along with these essential requirements:
- A highly experienced leader with proven ability to translate leadership skills across various functions
- Ability to operate and demonstrate gravitas with Executives and the Board
- Effective written and verbal communication skills, with substantial experience in writing Board and Executive papers
- Ability to inspire and lead a team of talented enterprise leaders to deliver outstanding results
- Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships and influence
About Us
We are one of the largest building societies in the UK, sharing a mutual goal to improve the lives of others. Recognised as a Great Place to Work, we offer benefits beyond basic pay, including a discretionary bonus scheme, a culture of reward and recognition, and comprehensive wellbeing support.
Recently, The Co-operative Bank became part of our Group, sharing our values and ethical approach towards members, customers, and colleagues.
We are committed to equality across race, age, faith, disability, and sexual orientation, celebrating diversity. Working with us, you\’ll build more than just a career.
Flexibility and Why It Matters
We support flexible working arrangements; please discuss possibilities with us before applying.
Disability Confident Employer
We are proud to offer interviews or assessments to all disabled applicants meeting minimum criteria. You can opt into the Disability Confident Interview Scheme during the application process. For more information, contact our recruitment team at Coventry Building Society.
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Head of Strategy & Planning employer: Rita Blue
Contact Detail:
Rita Blue Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Strategy & Planning
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the financial services sector, especially the latest trends and challenges. This knowledge will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your genuine interest in the role and the organisation.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of the organisation to gain insights into their strategic initiatives and company culture. This can provide you with valuable information that you can reference during discussions.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully led strategic projects in complex environments. Highlight your influencing skills and how you've built relationships with stakeholders to drive results.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your leadership style by preparing to discuss how you foster collaboration and high performance within teams. Be ready to share your approach to inspiring others and achieving outstanding results.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Strategy & Planning
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your leadership experience and strategic planning skills. Use specific examples from your past roles that demonstrate your ability to develop and execute strategies in complex environments.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for the financial services sector and how your background aligns with the responsibilities of the Head of Strategy & Planning role. Mention your experience in stakeholder management and project leadership.
Showcase Communication Skills: Since effective communication is crucial for this role, provide examples of your written and verbal communication skills. Highlight any experience you have in writing Board and Executive papers, as this will be important for the hiring team.
Demonstrate Interpersonal Skills: Illustrate your ability to build relationships and influence others. Share anecdotes that showcase your interpersonal skills and how you've successfully collaborated with diverse teams or stakeholders in previous positions.
How to prepare for a job interview at Rita Blue
✨Understand the Strategic Landscape
Before your interview, make sure to research the current trends and challenges in the financial services sector. Being able to discuss these topics will demonstrate your deep knowledge and understanding of the industry, which is crucial for the Head of Strategy & Planning role.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Scenarios
Think about examples from your past experiences where you successfully managed relationships with key stakeholders. Be ready to discuss how you built those relationships and the impact they had on strategic initiatives, as this role requires exceptional influencing skills.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Be prepared to articulate your leadership philosophy and how it translates across different functions. Highlight specific instances where you inspired and led teams to achieve outstanding results, as this will resonate well with the interviewers looking for a highly experienced leader.
✨Communicate Clearly and Effectively
Since effective communication is essential for this role, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Prepare to discuss how you have written Board and Executive papers in the past, showcasing your ability to convey complex information in an understandable manner.
