Director - Strategic Initiatives

About Us

It’s an exciting time to join London South Bank University (LSBU) Group. With the launch of our new LSBU Group Strategy, Connecting, we’re shaping the future of tertiary education for a global, technology-driven economy – rooted in London. Professional and technical education has been central to LSBU Group’s mission since our founding in 1892. Today, as London’s first integrated tertiary education group, we continue to lead the way on learner‑centred, skills‑focused education. Comprising London South Bank University, South Bank Colleges and South Bank Academies, connectivity lies at the heart of all we do.

Since 2019, LSBU Group has grown beyond its three founding institutions to form a powerful network of learners, staff, alumni, employers and policymakers – united in our mission to challenge social and economic inequalities through applied education, insight and partnership. We are a powerhouse for inclusive education, enterprise and economic growth, connecting potential to opportunity and enabling people to thrive. Our Group network enables us to create learning pathways and connect people and organisations. This ensures learners are supported through the education system to achieve their full potential and can contribute their skills and energies locally and to wider society.

Our new strategy, Connecting, sets out a bold, ambitious vision for LSBU Group and it’s developed in collaboration with colleagues, student groups, partners and stakeholders. Focused on delivering good jobs for all our learners, we are proud to be employer and skills‑led, delivering excellent professional and technical teaching which supports future talent and careers to deliver impact for London and beyond.

Working for us

Turning passion into purpose. Our ambition is to create educational pathways that empower people of all backgrounds and talents to realise their aspirations, add to the knowledge base, and contribute their skills and drive to wider society. To realise our ambition, we need people with energy, courage and imagination, who are enthused by our vision and recognise our values as theirs; people who bring ideas to enrich our approach to learning, research and innovation; collaborative people who love creating and spreading knowledge; brilliant people who seek growth and yearn to make a positive, personal difference. At LSBU Group, you will get to contribute to a vibrant and dynamic culture, which is fuelled by purpose, built around people, and is genuinely diverse. You will be trusted and recognised for your unique contribution. You will be part of a great team, turning your passion into purpose.

The role

LSBU Group has recently launched our new Strategy, Connecting, with six strategic themes that will direct and shape the Group’s future direction. The Strategy will evolve into clear objectives, KPIs, and delivery roadmaps for priority initiatives in the coming months. These initiatives by their nature will be large and complex, involving significant people, process and technology changes, as well as collaboration with other partners. Working closely with the Group CEO and Vice‑Chancellor, and the Group Executive, the holder of this senior role will lead the coordination and successful, integrated, implementation of all strategic initiatives in support of the LSBU Group Strategy. As part of this, they will play a leadership role in shaping, driving and coordinating the effective delivery of the portfolio of initiatives that will deliver the Strategy, and by establishing the capabilities, systems and processes, to secure successful delivery.

What You Will Bring

• Experience and expertise in project management, change management, planning and cross‑functional collaboration.
• Adept at working at multiple levels of an organisation and beyond with senior stakeholders to help shape our direction, creating the conditions for and successfully delivering impactful change.
• Willingness to challenge the status quo and engage in constructive dialogue in a contested space.
• Able to reconcile the need for change with the requirement to keep the organisation functioning, helping organisations to plan and manage transitions.
• Excellent understanding of the post‑16 education ecosystem.
• Strong commitment to supporting the mission of LSBU Group to challenge social and economic inequalities through applied education, insight and partnership.

Benefits and How to Apply

As a leading Higher Education Institution LSBU offers staff a highly competitive benefits package including holiday entitlement starting at 26.5 days per annum, professional development opportunities and flexible working. Full details on the range of benefits we offer can be found here. The person specification for this role alongside applicant guidance on what to submit within your application can be found within the candidate pack attached. Applications must be submitted via the Apply Online button below. For any general enquiries or to arrange an informal discussion ahead of applying, please feel free to contact the Group Head of Employment Services, Claire Sumpter, at sumpterc@lsbu.ac.uk. The closing date for applications is Monday 2nd February, 5:00 pm. Interview/assessment – week commencing TBC. We are happy to talk flexible working and reasonable adjustments and aim to make our recruitment and selection process accessible to all, please contact us to discuss any support you need. The diversity of LSBU’s staff and students is a source of our strength and the richness of ideas and perspectives that this diversity brings makes LSBU a unique place to work. Depending on your circumstances, this role may be eligible for sponsorship under the UKVI Skilled Worker route, more details on this can be found within the candidate pack. If you have any questions related to your application, please email the recruitment team at hrdsr@lsbu.ac.uk. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early, should we receive sufficient applications.