At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic initiatives to tackle dementia and improve lives across the UK.
- Company: Join Alzheimer's Society, the UK's leading dementia charity making a real difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, flexible working, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Hybrid role with opportunities for personal growth and impactful contributions.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission to transform dementia care and support for millions.
- Qualifications: Strong strategic thinking, analytical skills, and experience in complex organisations.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 80000 £ per year.
Help make dementia impossible to ignore. Dementia is the UK's biggest killer. Nearly one million people are living with the condition today, yet too many people still face delayed diagnoses, unequal access to support and significant challenges navigating health and care systems. Despite its devastating impact, the opportunity to improve outcomes for people affected by dementia has never been greater. At Alzheimer's Society, we have a sharpened strategy, strong foundations, talented people and a growing platform for influence. Scientific progress is accelerating, understanding of dementia is evolving, and there is real momentum behind the changes needed to transform diagnosis, treatment, support and prevention.
We are entering a new phase of strategic ambition, with a unique opportunity to influence the systems, policies and decisions that shape the lives of people affected by dementia. This is an exciting moment to join us. We are looking for an exceptional strategic leader who can help shape our future direction, challenge our thinking and support the organisation to make confident, evidence-informed decisions that maximise our impact for people affected by dementia. This is a rare opportunity to help shape the future direction of one of the UK's most influential charities, working on one of the most urgent health and social challenges of our time.
As our Associate Director of Strategy, you will play a pivotal role at the heart of Alzheimer's Society. Reporting to the Chief Policy & Research Officer and working closely with the Executive Leadership Team, Board of Trustees and senior leaders across the organisation, you will help ensure we make the right choices about where we focus our energy, investment and influence. This is a highly collaborative role that combines insight, influential leadership and organisational impact. You will help develop options and recommendations for the Executive Leadership Team, CEO and Board. You will bring together evidence, data, external insight and lived experience, providing trusted advice to senior leaders. You will also strengthen strategic thinking across the organisation, supporting and constructively challenging leaders to develop robust strategies, navigate complexity and make confident, evidence-informed decisions.
Looking ahead, you will help us identify emerging opportunities, exploring bold new ideas and turning them into credible, evidence-informed propositions. You will help imagine what Alzheimer's Society could become and how we can deliver even greater impact. You will lead and develop a high-performing Strategy function, bringing together expertise across strategy, impact and evaluation, while building organisational capability and fostering a culture of curiosity, collaboration and continuous improvement. Success in this role will come from combining strategic insight, intellectual curiosity and sound judgement with exceptional interpersonal skills. You'll be confident in shaping Board-level discussions, coaching senior leaders and bringing people together behind a shared direction.
You are a strategic thinker with strong analytical skills, intellectual curiosity and sound judgement. Comfortable operating in complex environments, you can see the bigger picture, spot emerging opportunities and turn insight into clear recommendations and practical action. You may have developed strategy at corporate, directorate or business-unit level. Most importantly, strategy will have been a significant part of your career and something you are passionate about. You bring creativity and imagination, helping organisations think differently about the future and where they can have the greatest impact. You are highly collaborative and skilled at influencing senior stakeholders, building relationships and bringing people together around shared goals. You are also an excellent communicator, able to translate complex information, evidence and data into compelling narratives, engaging presentations and high-quality papers that support effective decision-making.
You will bring experience of:
- Developing strategy within complex organisations.
- Using evidence, insight and analysis to inform decision-making.
- Influencing senior stakeholders and supporting executive-level discussions.
- Building organisational capability and improving ways of working.
- Leading and developing high-performing teams.
- Operating confidently in complex and evolving external environments.
We welcome applications from a range of sectors. While experience in health, social care, government or the voluntary sector may be beneficial, we are equally interested in candidates who can bring transferable strategic leadership experience, fresh perspectives and new ways of thinking. The ability to combine strategic rigour with pragmatism, adaptability and imagination will be key to success.
This role will be on a hybrid basis, with approximately 2 -3 days per week required at our London office or other Society Location. Interviews will be held at our London Crutched Friars office on 21st August. If you want to help shape the future of Alzheimer's Society and play a leading role in tackling one of the most significant challenges facing society today, we'd love to hear from you.
About Alzheimer's Society - who are we and what’s our mission? Dementia is the UK's biggest killer. One in three people born in the UK today will develop dementia in their lifetime. At Alzheimer's Society, we're the UK's leading dementia charity and the only one to tackle all aspects of dementia by giving help and hope to people living with dementia today and in the future. We give vital support to people facing the most frightening times of their lives, while also funding ground-breaking research and campaigning to make dementia the priority it should be. Together with our supporters, we're working towards a world where dementia no longer devastates lives.
Our values make sure that our focus is clear for the challenges and opportunities ahead and remind us of what we all stand for. Our commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging: We need to ensure the voices around our table better reflect and understand the communities we exist to serve. We strongly encourage individuals to apply who have a disability, impairment or health condition or individuals who identify as part of a minority ethnic background, as these groups are currently under-represented at Alzheimer's Society.
Our hiring process: We want you to bring your whole self to the process. Applications are anonymised until interview stage, and we're happy to support any adjustments. Share your feedback via our candidate survey when applying to help us improve. We may close early if we receive high interest (with 48 hours notice). Some roles may require a DBS check as part of our safer recruitment commitment.
Thinking about using AI during the recruitment process? We know this can be helpful in many ways but remember to include your personal and authentic self too. Your voice and experience are what really set you apart.
Giving back to you: At Alzheimer's Society, we value our people and take a total reward approach to pay and benefits. You'll enjoy a generous double-matched pension scheme, 27 days annual leave (plus bank holidays and wellbeing days), and access to a free Health Shield Cash Plan, 24/7 EAP, Thrive mental wellbeing support, and virtual GP services. Our Society Plus platform offers exclusive discounts, wellbeing resources, and recognition schemes, while our flexible working, family-friendly policies, and life assurance provide peace of mind and work/life balance. We also offer a free Will-writing service and long service awards to recognise your ongoing commitment.
Associate Director of Strategy in High Wycombe employer: Alzheimers Society
Alzheimer's Society is an exceptional employer, offering a rewarding opportunity for individuals to make a meaningful impact in their community as Group Support Volunteers in Derbyshire. With a strong emphasis on empathy and teamwork, our inclusive work culture fosters personal growth and development while providing vital support to those affected by dementia. Join us in creating a supportive environment where you can connect with others and contribute to a cause that truly matters.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Director of Strategy in High Wycombe
✨Dive Into Corporate Strategy Communities
Get yourself involved in online communities or forums focused on corporate strategy. Places like LinkedIn groups or specific Slack channels can hook you up with industry insights, trends, and many potential job leads. Don't hesitate to share your thoughts or ask questions; it’ll boost your visibility!
✨Attend Industry Conferences and Events
Keep an eye out for corporate strategy conferences or networking events in your area (or online!). These gatherings are gold mines for meeting hiring managers and making impactful connections. Plus, having a few good conversations can lead to job referrals at companies like Alzheimers Society!
✨Showcase Your Strategy Skills
Create content that showcases your knowledge of corporate strategy—think reports, blogs, or even video discussions. Sharing these on platforms like LinkedIn or Medium can demonstrate your expertise and make you stand out to employers looking for fresh talent.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply for the Associate Director of Strategy position at Alzheimers Society via our website! This shows your genuine interest, and who knows, you might just land that interview in a matter of days. Keep your application focused on how you can add value to their strategy team.
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Director of Strategy in High Wycombe
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Strategic Thinking:When crafting your CV and cover letter, highlight your strategic analysis skills. Focus on past experiences where you've effectively assessed market trends or made impactful recommendations. Evidence-based achievements, like improving processes or contributing to significant projects, will help us see your potential for driving corporate strategy at Alzheimers Society.
Tailor Your Narrative:Don’t just send us a generic application! Personalise your cover letter by connecting your experiences and aspirations to Alzheimers Society’s mission and goals. We love seeing candidates who genuinely understand what we do; share how your vision aligns with ours and what you can bring to the table.
Highlight Relevant Academic Credentials:In your CV, make sure to showcase your academic background, especially if you have qualifications in business, economics, or analytics. We appreciate candidates who can back up their skills with relevant degrees or certifications, so don’t be shy about flaunting those achievements!
Utilise Professional Language:While we want you to be yourself, remember that corporate strategy roles demand a level of professionalism in communication. Use clear and concise language in your application materials, ensuring that your ideas come across as well-structured and sophisticated. It’s all about making a great impression right from the written application stage!
How to prepare for a job interview at Alzheimers Society
✨Master the Numbers
Corporate strategy often involves data analysis and financial forecasting. Brush up on your quantitative skills, and be prepared to handle case studies or numerical problems during the interview. We might get questions about how to approach market trends or assess the performance of a hypothetical company — so practice these scenarios!
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarity with strategic frameworks like SWOT, PESTLE, or Porter’s Five Forces can set you apart. We should be ready to discuss how we’d apply these tools to real-world business situations — maybe even relating them to Alzheimers Society. This shows we’re not just theory-happy but can articulate our practical application.
✨Engage in Strategic Conversations
In a full-time role like this, it’s crucial to show that we're engaged and informed about current trends in the industry. Keep up with major news and prepare to discuss how recent developments could impact strategic decisions at Alzheimers Society. This will demonstrate our passion and proactive approach to the field.
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
Whether through internships or projects, we should highlight any experience that relates to corporate strategy. Have specific examples ready to talk about how we’ve contributed to strategic growth or improvements. It's about showcasing our unique journey and how it will bring value to Alzheimers Society.
