At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic projects and turn insights into actionable plans.
- Company: Join Ark, a mission-driven education charity making a difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 27 days leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with a focus on diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make an impact in education while developing your strategic skills.
- Qualifications: Degree-level qualification and experience in strategy projects required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
About The Role
Reports to: Director of Strategy. Location: West London (with flexible working available). Contract: FTC for 6 months, extendable to 12. Pattern: Full time (standard hours 9am - 5.30pm with flexitime options; part 0.8 FTE will be considered).
Key Responsibilities
- Manage and deliver strategic projects from initial scoping through to making recommendations and handover to delivery teams.
- Identifying questions, driving clarity on scope, undertaking research and analysis, commissioning insight where needed, synthesising insights into actionable plans and communicating them.
- Work collaboratively and flexibly with teams across Ark, building relationships and influencing others.
- Deliver ad hoc strategic projects as directed by the Director of Strategy.
Knowledge & Skills
- Previous experience of delivering strategy projects, analyse and interpret complex information, and translate insight into action.
- Experience working with and influencing stakeholders and colleagues at a range of levels of seniority.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, strong project management skills.
- Financially literate, and comfortable with modelling and data analysis (desirable).
Qualification Criteria
- Qualified to degree level or equivalent.
- Right to work in the U.K.
Covering Statement
Your covering statement should be no more than 500 words. It should be split into 3 clear sections outlining:
- Your motivation for applying for this role.
- Your experience of developing strategy/strategic projects at pace, including brief examples of projects you have delivered; bullet points are encouraged.
- The other skills and experiences you would bring to this role.
You are welcome to use AI to help you draft your application but make sure that you review and edit yourself so that it gives an authentic account of your interests and profile. Please note we will be reviewing applications on an on‑going basis and this role may close earlier than advertised depending on the level of response. We strongly encourage you to submit your application at your earliest convenience.
Benefits
Our flexible working model offers the best of both worlds, balancing in‑person collaboration, either in our state of the art West London office or through visits to our schools, with the flexibility of remote working. In addition to flexible working arrangements, employees can request to work fully remotely for up to 10 working days a year, whether this be in the UK or abroad. Our flexitime policy allows you to work your hours around our core hours of 10.00 - 16.00, helping you prioritise your work‑life balance and personal commitments.
27 days annual leave plus bank holidays, rising with each year of service up to 30 days after 3‑years’ service. This entitlement is pro rata for part time employees. This entitlement excludes bank holidays. Full office closure between Christmas and New Year.
As an Ark employee, you will have the opportunity to be part of the TPT (The Pension Trust) scheme, our workplace pension scheme where we make an 11% contribution; you are not required to contribute towards this scheme unless you choose to. Depending on your role you may also be entitled to LGPS which is a defined benefit scheme where you contribute a percentage based on how much you earn (as do we) in exchange for a guaranteed amount in your pension pot every year.
Access to high‑quality professional learning throughout your career, offering both face‑to‑face sessions and a bespoke online learning platform. Access to Ark Rewards scheme offering savings from over 3,000 major retailers, interest‑free loans available for season tickets or a bike, gym discounts offering up to 40% off your local gym and free eye tests.
About Us
Ark is an education charity that exists to make sure that all children, regardless of their background, have access to a great education and real choices in life. Our network of 39 schools reaches traditionally underserved communities in Birmingham, Hastings, London and Portsmouth. We educate 30,000 pupils and have nearly 3,000 teaching staff across our network. We also incubate and scale innovative ventures, which we roll out beyond our network of schools for the benefit of teachers, pupils and the education system as a whole. Current Ventures include Ark Curriculum Plus, which equips teachers with the subject expertise needed to ensure students succeed, and Ark Start, a growing chain of nurseries offering affordable, high‑quality early years education.
Recently, Ark moved to new offices at EdCity – a unique not‑for‑profit development in West London, in partnership with Hammersmith & Fulham council. EdCity is designed to bring mission‑aligned organisations together to focus on improving the lives of children, especially through education. It offers leased offices, a range of venues for training and events, and an innovation hub for the education sector to connect, collaborate and learn together.
Diversity and Inclusion
We aim to build a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone – staff and students – can do their best work and achieve their full potential. We want to reflect and represent diverse perspectives across our organisation because we know that doing so will make us stronger and more effective.
Safeguarding Statement
Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its academies. In order to meet this responsibility, its academies follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants. Ark requires all employees to undertake an enhanced DBS check. You are required, before appointment, to disclose any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Non‑disclosure may lead to termination of employment. However, disclosure of a criminal background will not necessarily debar you from employment - this will depend upon the nature of the offence(s) and when they occurred.
For any questions, please contact recruitment@arkonline.org.
Strategy Manager (fixed term) employer: ARK
Ark is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth, offering a flexible working model that balances collaboration in our state-of-the-art West London office with the option for remote work. With generous annual leave, a robust pension scheme, and access to high-quality professional learning opportunities, Ark fosters a supportive and inclusive work culture where every team member can thrive while contributing to our mission of providing quality education to all children.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategy Manager (fixed term)
✨Tap into Corporate Events
Keep an eye out for corporate strategy workshops, seminars, and conferences. These events are golden opportunities for us to meet industry leaders and learn about emerging trends. You never know when a casual conversation could lead to a temporary role like the one at ARK!
✨Leverage Industry Networks
Join professional organisations and online communities focused on corporate strategy. Engage in discussions, ask for insights, and share your passion for the field. This visibility can help us get noticed by companies like ARK looking for fresh temp talent.
✨Utilise Temp Staffing Agencies
Don't overlook temp staffing agencies that specialise in corporate roles. They often have the inside scoop on short-term opportunities and can match us with companies needing our skills for specific projects.
✨Direct Applications at ARK
For a temporary role at ARK, let’s make a direct approach. Keep an eye on their careers page and apply through our website. Sometimes, going straight to the source gives us a better chance than getting lost in the job boards!
We think you need these skills to ace Strategy Manager (fixed term)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Analytical Skills:In corporate strategy, showcasing your ability to analyse data and trends is crucial. Be sure to emphasise any relevant experiences or projects where you’ve demonstrated strong analytical thinking and strategic planning skills in your CV and cover letter.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Show Impact:Since this is a temporary role, it’s essential to convey how you can make a quick impact. In your cover letter, share specific examples of how your past contributions have led to measurable results in previous positions or internships. Shine a light on any projects you’ve worked on that required quick turnaround and decisive strategy.
Keep it Concise and Focused:For temporary roles, hiring managers often appreciate brevity. Make sure your CV is polished and to the point, focusing on your most relevant experiences and skills. Use bullet points to summarise your achievements and keep the layout clean—this helps us quickly see the value you bring.
Bring Your Portfolio of Ideas:Although portfolios aren't always standard in corporate strategy roles, if you have any case studies, strategy presentations, or innovative ideas, consider sharing them. You can include links in your application so we can easily review how you think and approach problems in the strategy space.
How to prepare for a job interview at ARK
✨Know Your Strategy Tools
In corporate strategy, being familiar with frameworks like SWOT analysis, PESTEL, and Porter’s Five Forces is crucial. Be ready to discuss how you've used these or similar tools to drive insights in your past projects—this shows you’re not just theoretical but can apply concepts in real scenarios.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Temp roles often focus on immediate impact, so be prepared to tackle case-based questions on the spot. Practice breaking down a business problem and proposing actionable strategies. Demonstrating your analytical thought process will go a long way with ARK.
✨Flexibility is Key
As a temporary hire, showing that you can adapt quickly is essential. Share examples from your experience where you’ve successfully jumped into a project or handled changing priorities. This helps highlight your suitability for the dynamic nature of a temp role.
✨Pitch Your Availability and Commitment
It’s vital to make it clear that you’re ready for the short-term commitment and can hit the ground running. Talk about your flexibility in hours and your eagerness to make a meaningful contribution to ARK even in a limited timeframe—this shows you're proactive and dedicated!
