At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic planning and analysis to shape the university's future direction.
- Company: Join a top 100 global university committed to excellence and inclusion.
- Benefits: Generous pension scheme, competitive holidays, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Collaborate with senior leaders and contribute to a thriving workplace culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in higher education by influencing strategic decisions.
- Qualifications: Strong analytical skills and experience in strategic planning within complex environments.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 € per year.
The University of Southampton is a world‑leading, research‑intensive university with a high‑quality educational offering and a consistent position within the Top 100 universities globally. As an ambitious and forward‑looking institution, the University operates in an increasingly complex higher‑education environment that requires clarity of purpose, robust evidence, and effective long‑term planning. The Strategy Office plays a central role in shaping and delivering the University’s strategic direction.
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Office as a Senior Strategic Planning Manager within the Strategic Planning and Analytics team covering a period of maternity leave.
The Role
The Senior Strategic Planning Manager acts as a strategic business partner, providing expert advice, rigorous analysis, and constructive challenge to ensure the University Strategy is translated into ambitious, coherent, and deliverable faculty plans. The role works closely with Deans, Faculty Leadership Teams, and senior Professional Services colleagues, operating as a trusted adviser to support strategic alignment and effective delivery. Alongside this faculty‑facing partnership, the postholder leads selected University‑wide strategic planning activities. This includes competitor and benchmarking analysis, horizon scanning of policy and sector developments, and contributing to the development, monitoring, and reporting of university‑level strategic key performance indicators. The role will suit someone comfortable working with senior stakeholders in a complex organisation.
Key Responsibilities
The role leads and coordinates strategic planning within designated faculties, ensuring alignment with the University Strategy and supporting delivery through strategic and annual planning processes. This includes developing, monitoring, and reviewing performance frameworks and KPIs, using evidence‑based insight to assess progress and recommend action where required. The postholder undertakes qualitative and quantitative analysis to support strategic decision‑making, synthesising data from multiple internal and external sources. This includes leading competitor analysis and benchmarking, drawing on sector intelligence and performance metrics to identify strengths, risks, and opportunities. Working closely with Finance, Faculty Operations and other Professional Services teams, the Senior Strategic Planning Manager contributes to action plans, business cases, and investment proposals. The role also supports strategic reviews and strategy renewal processes, applying knowledge of the higher‑education landscape to horizon scan policy, funding and regulatory developments and communicate their implications clearly.
About You
This role is suited to a confident and analytically minded professional motivated by supporting a complex organisation to achieve its strategic ambitions. The successful candidate will bring strong strategic planning experience in a complex environment, with the ability to move between institutional strategy and local delivery. The role requires the judgement and people skills needed to act as a trusted adviser to senior academic leaders and Professional Services colleagues, including the confidence to offer constructive challenge. Strong analytical skills are essential, along with the ability to communicate complex ideas succinctly and tailor messages for different audiences. The postholder will be comfortable interrogating and modelling data independently, for example using Excel, and collaborating with specialist analytics colleagues where appropriate. A genuine interest in higher education is essential.
Why Join Us?
The University of Southampton is committed to creating a working environment where everyone can thrive, promoting inclusion, respect, and equality of opportunity. The University offers a generous defined benefit pension scheme, competitive holiday allowance with additional closure days, and flexible and hybrid working arrangements. This is an opportunity to work at the heart of a leading UK university, influencing strategic direction and shaping its future. As a university we aim to create an environment where everyone can thrive and are proactive in fostering a culture of inclusion, respect and equality of opportunity. We believe that we can only truly meet our objectives if we are reflective of society. We are passionate about creating a working environment in which you are free to bring your whole self to work.
Senior Strategic Planning Manager in Southampton employer: Cyber Security Academy Southampton
The University of Southampton is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive work environment that fosters professional growth and collaboration. As a world-leading institution, employees benefit from competitive remuneration, a generous pension scheme, and flexible working arrangements, all while contributing to impactful strategic initiatives that shape the future of higher education. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking team that values diversity and empowers you to bring your whole self to work.
Contact Detail:
Cyber Security Academy Southampton Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Strategic Planning Manager in Southampton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at the University of Southampton on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info about the role and the team, plus it shows our genuine interest.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into the university's strategic goals. We should be ready to discuss how our experience aligns with their mission and how we can contribute to their ambitious plans.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase our analytical skills during the interview. Bring examples of how we've used data to drive strategic decisions in the past. This will demonstrate our ability to handle the complex environment they operate in.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets noticed. Plus, it shows we’re serious about joining the team at the University of Southampton.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Strategic Planning Manager in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in strategic planning. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since this role requires strong analytical abilities, include examples of how you've used data to inform decisions. Don't just say you're good with numbers; show us how you've applied those skills in real situations.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward. We want to see that you can communicate complex ideas succinctly, so avoid jargon and get straight to the point.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people and is considered promptly.
How to prepare for a job interview at Cyber Security Academy Southampton
✨Know Your Strategic Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the University of Southampton's strategic goals and recent developments in higher education. Brush up on their current initiatives and how they align with broader trends in the sector. This will show that you’re not just interested in the role, but also in the institution’s mission.
✨Prepare for Data Discussions
Since the role involves a lot of data analysis, be ready to discuss your experience with qualitative and quantitative analysis. Bring examples of how you've used data to inform strategic decisions in the past. If you can, prepare a few insights or case studies that demonstrate your analytical skills.
✨Engage with Stakeholder Scenarios
Think about how you would approach working with senior stakeholders. Prepare to discuss scenarios where you’ve acted as a trusted adviser or provided constructive challenge. This will help illustrate your people skills and judgement, which are crucial for this role.
✨Show Your Passion for Higher Education
Express your genuine interest in the higher education landscape during the interview. Be prepared to discuss current challenges and opportunities within the sector, and how you see yourself contributing to the University’s strategic ambitions. This enthusiasm can set you apart from other candidates.
