At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic planning for Airband's Gigabit FWA network expansion and oversee rollout execution.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking telecom company focused on innovative digital infrastructure.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, hybrid working, free broadband, and generous leave policies.
- Why this job: Shape the future of connectivity while driving impactful growth in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Degree in Engineering or Telecommunications; experience in telecoms or network strategy preferred.
- Other info: Be part of a team that values innovation, collaboration, and professional development.
The predicted salary is between 68000 - 102000 £ per year.
The Head of Strategy & Planning defines where, when, and how Airband’s Gigabit FWA network expands. The role owns the long-range growth strategy, cluster prioritisation, rollout sequencing, business case development, and portfolio governance. It ensures deployment decisions are commercially attractive, operationally feasible, and enable repeatable scaling of the network platform. The position acts as the strategic anchor across Networks, Build, Commercial, Finance and Executive Leadership, ensuring that expansion decisions drive sustainable value creation.
Responsibilities
- Strategic Network Expansion & Market Planning
- Develop an 18–36 month Gigabit FWA expansion roadmap.
- Prioritise regions and clusters based on market need, subsidy availability, partner/wholesale demand, economics and competitive dynamics.
- Lead the framework for cluster selection, coverage ambition and rollout staging.
- Produce strategic recommendations and present to Executive Leadership/Board.
- Rollout Sequencing & Portfolio Governance
- Convert strategic priorities into executable rollout portfolios with clear dependencies and delivery pacing.
- Conduct scenario modelling to manage delivery constraints, market opportunities, prioritisation changes and risk.
- Maintain portfolio tracking, forecasting and stakeholder reporting.
- Coverage & Site Planning Oversight
- Oversee high-level cluster and coverage planning ensuring assumptions are consistent, repeatable and scalable.
- Validate that shortlisted clusters are technically and commercially viable before commitment into build.
- Ensure site nomination principles are aligned with cost-per-premise, performance and take-up objectives.
- Investment & Commercial Modelling
- Own investment case modelling for clustered rollout including revenue take-up curves, capex, opex and ROI/payback.
- Partner with Finance to validate assumptions and track actual performance vs model.
- Present investment papers for executive / board approval.
- Solution Standardisation & Platform Roadmapping
- Define and maintain standardised Gigabit FWA deployment templates, ensuring predictable unit cost and service performance.
- Lead technology evolution roadmap (CPE, spectrum strategy, vendor roadmap, emerging wireless enhancements).
- Minimise bespoke engineering through repeatable, scalable solution standards.
- Team Leadership
- Lead and develop a specialist planning and analysis team responsible for market assessment, rollout planning and performance analytics.
- Establish a consistent operating rhythm, clear outputs, and decision ready presentation standard.
- Build capability in data-driven decision-making and structured stakeholder alignment.
Key Success Measures
- Delivery pace aligned to strategic plan and build capacity.
- ROI and cluster profitability performance vs investment case.
- Stability and clarity of rollout roadmap.
- Adoption of standardised solution patterns and roadmap execution.
Person Specification
- Strategic thinker with strong technical literacy across wireless technologies, platforms, and service design.
- Proven ability to set commercial objectives with technical execution.
- Deep understanding of FWA, wholesale network architectures, and the economics of wireless network deployment and operation.
- Able to instil a sense of urgency around addressing and resolving team and individual performance issues.
- Takes initiative and works with pace to deliver results.
- Customer-focused, builds trust with internal and external stakeholders, always seeking to add value.
Essential
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Telecommunications, or a related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
- Background in telecoms, digital infrastructure strategy, network planning or deployment strategy.
- Understanding of FWA platform economics, wireless architecture and lifecycle roadmap evolution.
Airband Benefits
- 25 days of paid leave a year rising to 30 plus bank holidays with service.
- 5% Airband pension plus a minimum 3% employee contribution.
- Customer referral bonus - a thank you for every customer you send our way.
- We offer hybrid working – a mix of working from home and in the office.
- Free Broadband - If you are in our coverage, you can benefit from free broadband with us!
- Cycle to work, Tech scheme, Healthcare and medical insurance.
- Dental care, and Health cash fund (dependent on the length of service).
- Airshare (employee discount platform) - discounts on everyday shopping, weekly groceries, holidays, the list is endless - save up to £1,000 a year!
- Refer a friend reward scheme.
Pre-employment checks
Please note that you are required to have the right to work in the UK and we request satisfactory references as part of our recruitment process. A DBS check may be required for a number of our roles, particularly those that are customer-facing. Also, a driving licence may be required for positions that require you to be out in the field as part of the role.
Recruitment agency support is not required at this time.
Head of Strategy & Planning employer: Airband
Contact Detail:
Airband Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Strategy & Planning
✨Tip Number 1
Network, network, network! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to folks on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews like it’s game day! Research the company, understand their goals, and think about how your skills align with their needs. Practice common interview questions and come up with examples that showcase your strategic thinking and planning abilities.
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the role. Mention something specific from the conversation to remind them of your fit for the Head of Strategy & Planning position.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We love seeing applications directly from candidates who are genuinely interested in joining us. Plus, it gives you a better chance to stand out in the crowd!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Strategy & Planning
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in strategy and planning, especially in the telecoms sector. We want to see how your skills align with our needs at Airband!
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific achievements that demonstrate your impact in previous roles. We love numbers, so if you can quantify your success, even better!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make it easy for us to see why you’re a great fit for the Head of Strategy & Planning role.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role without any hiccups!
How to prepare for a job interview at Airband
✨Know Your Strategy Inside Out
As the Head of Strategy & Planning, you'll need to demonstrate a deep understanding of strategic network expansion. Familiarise yourself with Airband's current FWA network and be ready to discuss how you would approach developing an 18–36 month expansion roadmap.
✨Showcase Your Technical Literacy
This role requires strong technical literacy across wireless technologies. Brush up on your knowledge of FWA platform economics and network architectures. Be prepared to discuss how these elements influence deployment decisions and commercial viability.
✨Prepare for Scenario Modelling Questions
Expect questions around scenario modelling and managing delivery constraints. Think about past experiences where you've had to adapt strategies based on changing market conditions or risks, and be ready to share those examples.
✨Demonstrate Leadership and Team Development Skills
You'll be leading a specialist planning and analysis team, so highlight your leadership style and how you've built capability in data-driven decision-making. Share specific instances where you've successfully developed a team's skills and aligned them with strategic goals.