Head of Strategy and Alignment in Leeds

About Ford & Stanley Executive Search:

Ford & Stanley Executive Search (Part of the Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group) are a leading Executive search and talent advisory firm specialising in the following sectors:

• Rail & Transportation
• Civils & Construction
• Manufacturing & Supply Chain
• Technology & Cyber Security
• Logistics & Intermodal Freight
• Defence

Our search directors, search consultants and in-house research team specialise in retained opportunities at the highest level of organisational leadership and management. Our success is based upon a blend of trust-driven relationships, robust market knowledge, and working practices that ensure the best possible alignment of organisational need with experience and personal ambition.

We have been exclusively appointed by our client on a retained search for a Head of Strategy & Alignment. Below you will find a ‘Candidate Opportunity Brief’ developed from notes taken during the scoping meeting (Situational Discovery) held between the Principal Consultant and Senior Research Associate at Ford & Stanley Executive Search and our client. This brief is designed to give candidates a deeper insight into the opportunity inherent within the role, the challenges the role presents, and provide access to the detail that sits behind the job specification.

Challenges expected within the first 12 months include:

• Unify multiple engineering initiatives already in motion into a single, transparent delivery plan without disrupting local ownership or progress.
• Influence delivery across functions and workstreams without direct line-management accountability, while maintaining momentum and robust governance.
• Help the engineering function navigate significant industry change, including the evolving landscape and demonstrate visible impact quickly.

Key deliverables within the first 12 months include:

• Complete an early discovery of the Engineering Strategy and active workstreams, then establish an integrated delivery plan with clear milestones, ownership and reporting.
• Embed effective governance across the strategic portfolio, providing timely visibility of progress, dependencies, risks and decisions required.
• Build trusted relationships across engineering and wider stakeholders, including chairing the Engineering Executive forum on the Engineering Director’s behalf where appropriate.

Essential Hard Skills (Skills & Experience):

• Degree educated.
• Senior-level PMO, Transformation or Stakeholder Engagement leadership experience, with the capability to convert an established strategic vision into one integrated, visible delivery plan.
• Strong stakeholder management experience at all levels. Experience operating across complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
• Rail or engineering exposure is desirable rather than essential; regulated, public-sector, utilities, logistics or exceptional manufacturing backgrounds will be considered.
• Ability to absorb technical and operational subject matter quickly, ask informed questions and engage credibly with engineering, depot and senior leadership audiences.
• Experienced change manager with demonstrable experience of delivering change in complex environments.

Essential Soft Skills (Attributes & Behaviours):

• Sharp, articulate and highly credible, with the gravitas to communicate a clear narrative at shop-floor, management and executive level.
• A relationship builder who is visible, approachable and adaptable, able to move comfortably between operational depots and senior leadership forums.
• Ability to hold people to account. Challenging and pushing back when required constructively, using evidence and the right level of diplomacy to secure action.
• Naturally curious and resilient, with the judgement to identify emerging issues, test the detail and distinguish strategic priorities from tactical noise.
• Capacity for clear thinking, good judgement and robust organisational skills in all areas of executive management decision-making. Flexible, with the ability to prioritise and re-prioritise in the light of changing circumstances.

Working Arrangements & Location:

Candidates can be based in York, Leeds, Manchester and comfortable travelling across the North of England. Flexible/home working is available, typically up to two days per week, subject to the individual remaining visible and operationally engaged.

Ford & Stanley Executive Search Pre-Submission Process:

First Engagement: A short engagement and introductory conversation to position the opportunity, gauge candidate early interest level and arrange a time and date for a more detailed discussion. NDA sent (if applicable) upon receipt of signed NDA - Candidate Opportunity Brief shared.

Candidate Discovery: An open, conversational and consultative discussion where candidates and executive search consultant explore and discuss the opportunity brief. Candidates are assessed on their suitability for the role in the context of the key essentials and challenged on how the opportunity lines up with their career aspirations, motivations, financial expectations and personal circumstance. The search consultant will utilise the information captured during candidate discovery to start to build your profile on suitability. Recommendations may be made at this point for adjustments or updates to your CV.

The ‘shortlist’: Shortlisted candidates, having taken time to reflect on the opportunity and undertake subsequent research on the client's business are reengaged where they are asked to provide additional specific information on their suitability (if/where applicable). Final checks of key notes, package details and logistical alignments made. Finishing touches are then made to your profile prior to submission along with our notes and recommendations.

Budget & Benefits: Competitive.

Executive Search Delivery Team:

• Billy Jackson – Principal Consultant: Client & Opportunity Management, Client Advisory, Recommendations & Offer Negotiation.
• Emma Barlow – Senior Research Associate: Longlisting, Networking, Research & Search, Interviews, Data & Market Intel & shortlist presentation.
• Tilia Kozluk - Executive Assistant: Diary Management, Interview Coordination & Candidate Experience.

Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group Ltd is a Disability Confident employer that is committed to a policy of equal opportunities for all opportunity seekers. We shall adhere to such a policy at all times and will review on an ongoing basis all aspects of recruitment to avoid unlawful or undesirable discrimination. We will treat everyone equally irrespective of sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, age, disability, colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief or political beliefs, and we place an obligation upon all staff to respect and act in accordance with the policy.