At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic planning and funding bids for a renowned arts organisation.
- Company: Join the English National Opera, a leader in the arts sector.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and a chance to shape the future of arts funding.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace encouraging diverse candidates to apply.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the arts while collaborating with top leaders.
- Qualifications: Experience in funding applications and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 60000 £ per year.
Contract: 12-month fixed term contract, maternity cover. Start date: August 2026. Salary: £55,000-60,000 per annum. Hours: 35 hours per week. Location: London Coliseum/Hybrid.
We’re hiring a Head of Strategic Planning to work closely with the CEO and Director of Strategy & Partnerships, leading ENO’s approach to public funding. This is a pivotal role at the heart of the organisation, driving strategic planning processes, leading major funding bids, and shaping how we articulate our impact and value. You will play a critical role in delivering key strategic projects, strengthening organisational planning, and ensuring ENO’s impact is clearly measured and communicated.
If you’re a strong analytical thinker and experienced bid writer or funding specialist, with the ability to bring together data, strategy and storytelling to secure major public investment, we’d love to hear from you.
Requirements
- Significant experience leading funding applications or bid development within the arts or wider not-for-profit sector
- Strong understanding of Arts Council England processes and the UK public funding landscape
- Good knowledge of annual planning cycles within the context of a large arts organisation
- Exceptional writing, editing and narrative development skills
- Strong analytical capability, with experience using data to inform strategy and storytelling
- Proven ability to coordinate complex work across multiple senior stakeholders
- Highly organised, outcome-focused and able to operate with sound judgement in a fast moving environment
English National Opera is an Equal Opportunities employer, and we strive to create an inclusive working environment that reflects the diverse communities we serve. As we work to address underrepresentation in our workforce, we particularly encourage potential candidates from underrepresented groups and communities to apply, including those from global majority backgrounds and/or with protected characteristics, including race, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment and religion and belief. We will provide appropriate support for candidates with access requirements if they identify as disabled. This includes during the application process and through candidate assessment stages.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Strategic Planning (Maternity Cover)
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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Strategic Planning (Maternity Cover)
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.
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How to prepare for a job interview at ENGLISH NATIONAL OPERA
✨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.
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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 ENGLISH NATIONAL OPERA.
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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.
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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 ENGLISH NATIONAL OPERA even in a limited timeframe—this shows you're proactive and dedicated!
