Head of Strategic Planning in CHANGE & PLANNING ED OFFICE in London

About the Role

As the Head of Department of Strategic Planning, you will lead a small team of experts working across the Bank to guide, challenge and provide practical support to develop and drive the Bank’s 3‑year integrated strategic plan. You will support, influence and work closely with Executive Leadership of the Bank to identify priorities and effectively plan for delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement an effective Bank‑wide approach to strategic planning, providing leadership and direction on a broad range of activities and initiatives that support decision‑making and ensure the Bank is best‑placed to deliver against its mission.
• Lead stakeholder engagement and communication with the Bank’s senior leaders that is fundamental to the development of a compelling strategic narrative.
• Work closely with the Executive Director of Change and Planning to curate, present and recommend multiyear strategic planning options to the Governor and other senior decision makers such as Court and the Deputy Governor’s office.
• Oversee the bank’s strategic priorities including delivery and outcomes, building the annual/forward‑looking plan, and agreeing budgets with senior finance colleagues.
• Collaborate closely with leadership and cross‑functional teams to develop and implement a consistent approach to performance management and evaluation to inform the Bank’s strategy and optimal use of resources, evidencing the delivery of value for money.
• Lead the team that synthesises business area plans, creating strategic options off the back of the business plans.

Key Relationships and Dependencies

• Collaborate with senior stakeholders and cross‑functional teams across the Bank to develop, agree and implement a cohesive approach to strategic planning that drives organisational priorities.
• Lead the team responsible for defining KPIs, ensuring measurable and objective criteria are in place to evaluate progress and success against strategic goals.
• Partner with the Head of Portfolio, Planning and Assurance to validate the feasibility of the strategic investment plan.
• Actively engage with senior stakeholders across the Bank to maintain alignment and commitment to a unified strategic planning approach.
• Contribute as a member of the Change and Planning leadership team, holding individual and collective accountability for the performance and outcomes of Change and Planning in service to the Bank.

Minimum Criteria

• Experience of leading planning, organising, developing and directing strategic and operational activities including multi‑disciplinary areas of work which are complex and/or diverse and of delivering outcomes against agreed objectives.
• Experience in delivering a compelling roadmap/strategy to support the delivery of a strategic mission.
• A strategic thinker, planner, analyst and influencer, with the necessary leadership quality to embed a high‑performance culture across the team.
• An experienced manager who values diversity, equity and inclusion and has previously developed high‑performing teams – this is a people‑management role.
• Demonstrated ability to provide clear strategic direction, act with political awareness, and lead effectively in complex and challenging environments.
• Exceptional influencing and negotiation skills, with a proven track record of driving action and building consensus among senior stakeholders, including at Board level and across organisations.
• Be data‑centric and embrace analytics as an input into decision making.
• Ability to deliver results through a wide range of individuals and teams, many of whom will be outside the managerial control of the role holder.
• Exceptional written and presentational communication skills with regular reports to Board as well as concise, structured briefings for senior stakeholders.
• Ability to communicate clearly and persuasively, advising senior management and other stakeholders in a structured, convincing and concise way, including the ability to structure and tailor story lines for stakeholders.

Inclusion

The Bank values diversity and inclusion – we want to reflect the society we serve; we want the best people to work for us and we want our workplace to be inclusive. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all qualified persons. This role is open to job shares, flexible and part‑time working patterns. For most roles where work can be carried out at home, we aim for colleagues to spend half of their time in the office, with a minimum of 40% per month. Finally, we’re proud to be a member of the Disability Confident Scheme. If you wish to apply under this scheme, check the box in the ‘Candidate Personal Information’ under the ‘Disability Confident Scheme’ section of the application.

Salary and Benefits Information

The position offers a competitive salary. Currently a non‑contributory, career average pension giving you a guaranteed retirement benefit of 1/80th of your annual salary for every year worked. There is the option to increase your pension (to 1/65th) or decrease (to 1/105th) in exchange for salary through our flexible benefits programme each year. A discretionary performance award based on a current award pool. An 8% benefits allowance with the option to take as salary or purchase a wide range of flexible benefits. 26 days’ annual leave with option to buy up to 12 additional days through flexible benefits. Private medical insurance and income protection.

National Security Vetting Process

Employment in this role will be subject to the National Security Vetting clearance process (and typically can take between 6 to 12 weeks post‑offer) and the passing of additional Bank security checks in accordance with the Bank policy. Further information regarding the vetting and security clearance requirements for the role will be provided to the successful applicant, and information about how the Bank processes personal data for these purposes is set out in the Bank’s Privacy Notice.

The Bank of England welcomes applications from all candidates, but as a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) approved sponsor, we have a responsibility to comply with the Immigration Rules and guidance. As such, our ability to employ individuals who require sponsorship for immigration purposes is limited. The Bank cannot guarantee that you and / or the role you are applying for will be eligible for sponsorship and that any application made to UKVI will be successful. Eligibility will therefore be considered on a case‑by‑case basis.

Application Process

Important: Please ensure that you complete the ‘work history’ section and answer ALL the application questions fully. All candidate applications are anonymised to ensure that our hiring managers will not be able to see your personal information, including your CV, when reviewing your application details at the screening stage. It’s therefore really important that you fill out the work history and application form questions, as your answers will form a critical part of the initial selection process. Closes to applicants on 12th February 2026. The assessment process will comprise of two interview stages and a psychometric assessment. Please apply online, ensuring that you complete your work history and answer ALL the application questions fully and in detail as your application will not be considered if all mandatory questions are not fully completed.

About Us

We are the UK’s central bank – a bank like no other; known by our peers for our world‑leading thinking on policy and strategy. Our mission is to promote the good of the people of the UK by maintaining monetary and financial stability. We seek to keep prices stable and people’s money safe. It takes a great team to run the Bank of England. We rely on each other to play our part. We strive to be a place where people feel they belong and have equal access to opportunities, because different perspectives help us make the best decisions for the public. There’s much to gain from working with us – from career‑defining work at the heart of the UK economy, to a rewarding compensation package. Join us and find a bank like no other. Together, we can make a difference.

The Bank of England will use and protect the information you provide when you apply for a role with us, in line with our obligations under data protection law. If you’re successful we’ll use it to offer you a position and onboard you to join the Bank. If you would like more details about how your information will be used and your information rights, please visit our recruitment privacy notice.