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- Tasks: Lead strategic planning and performance delivery to drive transformation at the Royal Academy of Engineering.
- Company: Join a prestigious charity shaping engineering for a sustainable future.
- Benefits: Flexible hybrid working, competitive salary, and a vibrant office in central London.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on society by tackling major challenges through engineering.
- Qualifications: Experience in planning, performance, and organisational change within complex environments.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to innovation and inclusivity.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 ÂŁ per year.
The Royal Academy of Engineering is embarking on an exciting period of transformation as we advance our Strategy 2030 ambitions. To support this, we are establishing a new Planning, Performance & Delivery (PPD) function — and we are seeking an exceptional leader to shape and embed it across the organisation.
As Head of Planning, Performance & Delivery, you will provide organisation‑wide leadership to bring together strategic planning, performance insight, sustainability integration, and cross‑Academy delivery into a coherent operating rhythm. Acting as a strategic integrator, you will strengthen alignment across directorates, reduce organisational noise, and improve confidence in decision‑making and delivery. This is a highly visible role working closely with the Executive Leadership Team (ELT), Directors, and product leads. You’ll help modernise planning practices, improve organisational insight, and support major change initiatives across the Academy.
What you will lead:
- Delivery of integrated annual and quarterly planning cycles aligned to Strategy 2030.
- Development of a unified organisational scorecard and Executive‑ready dashboards across people, finance, sustainability, digital, and delivery performance.
- Quarterly Business Reviews with strategic suppliers to strengthen performance, value, and risk management.
- Light‑touch oversight of major cross‑Academy initiatives, ensuring clearer prioritisation, benefits tracking, and organisational sequencing.
- Support for digital, operational, and sustainability‑related transformation across directorates.
- Growth of data‑insight capability to improve forecasting, analytics, and data‑driven decision‑making.
About You:
You will bring significant experience of planning, performance, insight, or transformation within a complex organisation. You’ll be confident working with Executive‑level leaders and skilled at shaping alignment across diverse teams.
We’re Looking For Someone Who Is:
- A strategic thinker who sees the whole organisational picture.
- Insight‑driven, analytical, and comfortable working with complex information.
- An influential communicator with strong senior stakeholder engagement skills.
- Experienced in leading or supporting organisational change.
- Collaborative, resilient, and able to bring clarity in fast‑paced environments.
- Comfortable with digital and data‑enabled ways of working (Power BI experience is helpful).
- Experience working with strategic suppliers, sustainability insights, or digital transformation would be an advantage.
Application closing date: 12/04/2026
Interview date: w/c 20/04/2026
Interview location: London
Our light, spacious head office is based in a fantastic location in central London with views over St James’s Park and close to the West End. We operate hybrid, flexible working practices with a baseline for office‑based working of a mandatory weekly team day plus further days each week as required for the role and the Academy.
Engineering matters. It shapes our everyday lives, from our ability to turn the lights on, have a hot shower and commute into work, to the mobile phones we rely on to keep connected. It also plays a vital role in addressing some of the biggest challenges facing society today, from climate change, to global health pandemics and cyber threats. The Royal Academy of Engineering is a charity that harnesses the power of engineering to build a sustainable society and an inclusive economy that works for everyone. In collaboration with our Fellows and partners, we’re growing talent and developing skills for the future, driving innovation, and building global partnerships, and influencing policy and engaging the public. Together we’re working to tackle the greatest challenges of our age.
With a diverse workforce and an inclusive and supportive culture, we look to attract candidates from wide and different backgrounds who have a passion for the role engineering plays in society. Our aim is to make the Academy the best place to work for the staff we have and those we seek to attract.
Why work for us?
We’re looking for people who are driven to make the world a better place. If you’re passionate about what you do and want to work collaboratively with talented colleagues to make change happen now and for future generations, we want you to get in touch. This is the perfect time to join us. We have a dynamic, visionary CEO, a strong leadership team and an ambitious and exciting strategy. The value we bring as experts in our field and change agents is highly recognised and makes the Academy a motivating place to be. Our work today builds on a long, proud history with a focused and ambitious future which we’d love you to be part of. We are looking for talented people who want to make a difference, to join our team – is this you?
The Academy is committed to making reasonable adjustments to remove barriers that hinder applicants from applying or staff from working effectively and comfortably.
Head of Planning, Performance & Delivery in London employer: Royal Academy of Engineering
Contact Detail:
Royal Academy of Engineering Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Planning, Performance & Delivery in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those connected to the Royal Academy of Engineering. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the Academy's Strategy 2030 and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their transformation journey.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! During interviews, share specific examples of how you've successfully led change or improved performance in previous roles. This will demonstrate your fit for the Head of Planning, Performance & Delivery position.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about joining our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Planning, Performance & Delivery in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Strategic Thinking: When writing your application, make sure to highlight your strategic thinking skills. We want to see how you can connect the dots and see the bigger picture, especially in relation to our Strategy 2030 ambitions.
Be Insight-Driven: Use data and insights to back up your experiences. We love candidates who can analyse complex information and present it clearly. Don’t shy away from showcasing your analytical skills in your written application!
Communicate Effectively: Your written application is your first chance to impress us with your communication skills. Make it engaging and clear, showing that you can influence and engage with senior stakeholders effectively.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to tailor your application specifically for this role. Highlight your experience in planning, performance, and transformation, and how it aligns with what we’re looking for. Remember, applying through our website is the best way to get noticed!
How to prepare for a job interview at Royal Academy of Engineering
✨Understand the Strategy 2030
Familiarise yourself with the Royal Academy of Engineering's Strategy 2030. Be prepared to discuss how your experience aligns with their ambitions and how you can contribute to shaping the Planning, Performance & Delivery function.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that demonstrate your ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence senior stakeholders. Highlight specific instances where you've successfully driven organisational change or improved performance in a complex environment.
✨Be Data-Driven
Since the role involves enhancing data insight capabilities, brush up on your analytical skills. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to inform decision-making and improve forecasting in previous roles, especially if you have experience with tools like Power BI.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly, especially when discussing complex information. The interviewers will be looking for an influential communicator, so ensure you convey your ideas succinctly and confidently, demonstrating your ability to engage with diverse teams.