Head of Corporate Strategy

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Our client is one of the UK’s leading independent corporate reporting agencies with a strong Strategy and research division. They generally work with Fortune 500 and FTSE 100 organisations – they help build greater confidence and trust with their investors and other key stakeholders by offering best practice and advice. Our client is looking to hire a Corporate Strategy consultant who will support the Strategy director and team. In time this position will develop into a lead role ultimately resulting in the promotion to Strategy director.

Purpose

Reporting into the Director of Research and Strategy, you will be responsible for gathering and providing high-quality market intelligence on corporate reporting policy, issues, news, and trends, predominantly in the UK but increasingly across International markets. The market intelligence gathered will be used to evolve and develop our corporate reporting offering; to keep our clients and account teams up to date with the latest developments in the marketplace and to frame and inform marketing activities designed to further enhance our reputation and generate new business inquiries from our target markets.

We regularly publish research reports and papers on the trends in reporting, which are widely read by the industry and commented on by both the national and trade press. This research helps to provide us with the knowledge and insight to frame and inform our advice to clients. A key part of this role is to work closely with the Director of Strategy and Research Team to identify and develop opportunities for research projects which will further our understanding and help us in the pursuit of demonstrating the business benefit of reporting.

The Team

The Team is also commissioned by our blue-chip client base to provide consultancy services on best practice in financial and non-financial reporting, both on and offline. This includes the development of reporting strategies, detailed assessment reports, benchmarking audits, and best practice content guidelines.

Reporting Relationships

• Director of Research and Strategy
• Working closely with:
• Research team
• Account management
• Creative teams

Development of our Corporate Reporting offer

• Responsible for evolving and developing the consultancy business in line with the regulatory environment, good practice, and the needs of clients.
• Take responsibility for gaining an in-depth knowledge of all clients’ operations, regulatory requirements, and ownership structure in order to ensure that our service to them is tailored accordingly.

Client Consultancy

• Manage the delivery of all corporate reporting consultancy work for new and existing clients.
• Support the Director of Research & Strategy in the presentation of consultancy work to clients.
• Create and deliver bespoke assessments, competitive benchmark audits, and analysis to meet the demands of our clients.
• Develop content guidelines for any external communications, including annual reports, presentations, and CR reports to meet client needs.

Client Development and Retention

• Work with the account management team to develop each client’s corporate reporting strategy in line with best practice and changing market conditions.
• Review all client Annual Reports and provide key recommendations for improvement mid-way through the delivery process.
• Provide end-of-year assessments of client Annual Reports against our benchmarking research for use by the account teams at project kick-off meetings and debriefs.
• Respond to queries from clients regarding legislative and regulatory provisions, providing advice and guidance as appropriate.
• Respond to ad-hoc research requests from clients to assist in the delivery of their corporate reporting programme.
• Support the account managers as required in their delivery of services to clients, for example; research presentations, requests for information, and good practice guidance.
• In conjunction with the Business Development Manager undertake market analysis to identify new business opportunities both domestically and abroad.
• Conduct preliminary research on potential prospects including gaining an understanding of their ownership structure, corporate objectives, operational structure, strengths, weaknesses, and reporting strategy.
• Assess the quality of a prospect company’s corporate reporting identifying areas of strength and areas for improvement.
• Carry out internal briefings with the relevant Directors and Account Managers to inform on their pitch strategy and presentation for new business opportunities.

Knowledge and Skills Required for the Role

• Good degree from a reputable university.
• Professional qualifications – preferably legal, accountancy, or business based.
• Experience of working within a corporate reporting, corporate governance, or business consultancy role.
• Experience of working with listed companies desirable.
• Experience of working on corporate external communications.
• Highly organised, thorough, demonstrating excellent attention to detail and a proactive, flexible approach.
• Able to establish strong relationships with individuals at all levels.
• Strong leadership and organisational skills.
• Strong ‘can do’ attitude motivated by a desire to be part of the solution, rather than part of the problem.

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