At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategy and governance for a charity focused on empowering disabled individuals.
- Company: Join Sense, a leading charity dedicated to breaking down barriers for disabled people.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, excellent training, and a generous annual leave entitlement.
- Other info: Hybrid role based in Birmingham or London, with travel required.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while shaping an inclusive culture in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Seeking strategic leaders with governance experience and a commitment to inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
If you want to know about the requirements for this role, read on for all the relevant information.
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Be part of something extraordinary at Sense.
We’re here to break down barriers alongside disabled people with complex needs. As we start to develop and deliver an ambitious three-year plan for Sense’s future, we are looking for a chief strategy and governance officer – a senior leader with a strategic experience, inclusive values, and a commitment to impact.
About the role
As our chief strategy and governance officer, you’ll report directly to the chief executive and play a key leadership role as part of Sense’s chief officers’ group. You’ll lead business planning, performance, risk, governance, safeguarding, health and safety, internal audit and project management across the charity—ensuring strategy and delivery are aligned at every level.
You’ll also serve as company secretary and oversee our legal and regulatory compliance with the Charity commission and Companies house, while championing an inclusive approach to governance that empowers disabled people with complex needs. With a team of senior leaders reporting into you, you’ll shape culture, drive improvement, and model the leadership values that make Sense a truly people-centred organisation.
This is a hybrid role based from either Birmingham or London, with frequent travel.
What you\'ll do
* Lead the delivery of Sense’s strategy through robust business planning and performance frameworks.
* Oversee impact measurement and risk management, enabling evidence-led decision-making.
* Act as company secretary, ensure legal and regulatory compliance and high-quality support for our board of trustees and their committees.
* Provide executive leadership of safeguarding and health and safety, fostering a proactive culture of learning.
* Create an environment for project and programme management across Sense that enables clear oversight of delivery through a values-led Project management office.
* Manage internal audit via external providers, ensuring assurance and continuous improvement.
* Collaborate closely with the CEO and board of trustees, providing insight, coordination, and strategic guidance.
* Drive inclusion, equity and sustainability throughout the organisation’s leadership approach.
About you
We’re looking for an experienced, values-driven leader who is:
* Strategic and analytical, with senior-level experience in governance, performance or organisational leadership.
* Highly organised and insightful, with a strong grasp of business planning, impact reporting and risk.
* Experienced in governance leadership, ideally with charity or regulated services knowledge and company secretary experience.
* Confident working with senior stakeholders, including boards, executives, and regulatory bodies.
* Committed to inclusion and the social model of disability, with a track record of embedding equity and diverse perspectives in strategy and operations.
* Digitally confident, with strong understanding of data protection, information governance, and the role of technology in transformation.
About Sense
We believe that every disabled person should have the opportunity to connect with others and be included in the world. We use our knowledge and expertise to deliver personalised, creative and flexible support at every stage of life. Sense is proud to be a disability confident leader.
Working at Sense can be incredibly rewarding; we offer the opportunity to work in a large, diverse and successful charity where people can develop their skills, knowledge and careers in a supportive and flexible environment. In addition, we have excellent training and development, the opportunity for you to join our Group Personal Pension scheme and a generous annual leave entitlement.
To apply
Please use the link below to complete your application. We would recommend that you read the job description and person specification before applying.
Please note to avoid disappointment, we advise you to submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close recruitment at any time.
Sense is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of disabled children and adults and expects all employees to share this commitment. Therefore, all offers of employment, where appropriate, are subject to a DBS check; level dependent on the nature of the role.
For this role we particularly welcome applications from candidates from underrepresented ethnic minority backgrounds and disabled people.
Sense is committed to equality of opportunity, and to promoting and celebrating the diversity of staff, volunteers and the people we work with. Everyone\'s contribution is valued and we ensure they\'re given the opportunity to realise their potential. We welcome applications from talented people from all sections of the community who share our values
Chief strategy and governance officer in Islington employer: Sense
At Sense, we pride ourselves on being a leading charity that champions inclusion and empowerment for disabled individuals with complex needs. Our supportive and flexible work culture fosters personal and professional growth, offering excellent training opportunities and a generous benefits package, including a Group Personal Pension scheme and ample annual leave. With a commitment to diversity and a focus on meaningful impact, working at Sense means being part of a dedicated team that is making a real difference in the lives of others.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief strategy and governance officer in Islington
✨Dive Into Corporate Strategy Communities
Get yourself involved in online communities or forums focused on corporate strategy. Places like LinkedIn groups or specific Slack channels can hook you up with industry insights, trends, and many potential job leads. Don't hesitate to share your thoughts or ask questions; it’ll boost your visibility!
✨Attend Industry Conferences and Events
Keep an eye out for corporate strategy conferences or networking events in your area (or online!). These gatherings are gold mines for meeting hiring managers and making impactful connections. Plus, having a few good conversations can lead to job referrals at companies like Sense!
✨Showcase Your Strategy Skills
Create content that showcases your knowledge of corporate strategy—think reports, blogs, or even video discussions. Sharing these on platforms like LinkedIn or Medium can demonstrate your expertise and make you stand out to employers looking for fresh talent.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply for the Chief strategy and governance officer position at Sense via our website! This shows your genuine interest, and who knows, you might just land that interview in a matter of days. Keep your application focused on how you can add value to their strategy team.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief strategy and governance officer in Islington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Strategic Thinking:When crafting your CV and cover letter, highlight your strategic analysis skills. Focus on past experiences where you've effectively assessed market trends or made impactful recommendations. Evidence-based achievements, like improving processes or contributing to significant projects, will help us see your potential for driving corporate strategy at Sense.
Tailor Your Narrative:Don’t just send us a generic application! Personalise your cover letter by connecting your experiences and aspirations to Sense’s mission and goals. We love seeing candidates who genuinely understand what we do; share how your vision aligns with ours and what you can bring to the table.
Highlight Relevant Academic Credentials:In your CV, make sure to showcase your academic background, especially if you have qualifications in business, economics, or analytics. We appreciate candidates who can back up their skills with relevant degrees or certifications, so don’t be shy about flaunting those achievements!
Utilise Professional Language:While we want you to be yourself, remember that corporate strategy roles demand a level of professionalism in communication. Use clear and concise language in your application materials, ensuring that your ideas come across as well-structured and sophisticated. It’s all about making a great impression right from the written application stage!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sense
✨Master the Numbers
Corporate strategy often involves data analysis and financial forecasting. Brush up on your quantitative skills, and be prepared to handle case studies or numerical problems during the interview. We might get questions about how to approach market trends or assess the performance of a hypothetical company — so practice these scenarios!
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarity with strategic frameworks like SWOT, PESTLE, or Porter’s Five Forces can set you apart. We should be ready to discuss how we’d apply these tools to real-world business situations — maybe even relating them to Sense. This shows we’re not just theory-happy but can articulate our practical application.
✨Engage in Strategic Conversations
In a full-time role like this, it’s crucial to show that we're engaged and informed about current trends in the industry. Keep up with major news and prepare to discuss how recent developments could impact strategic decisions at Sense. This will demonstrate our passion and proactive approach to the field.
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
Whether through internships or projects, we should highlight any experience that relates to corporate strategy. Have specific examples ready to talk about how we’ve contributed to strategic growth or improvements. It's about showcasing our unique journey and how it will bring value to Sense.
