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- Tasks: Lead strategic planning and shape the future of affordable housing.
- Company: Join SettleParadigm, the largest housing group in the region with a social purpose.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous holiday, hybrid working, and excellent health benefits.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on communities while growing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in strategic planning and corporate performance management is essential.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for professional development and inclusivity.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 75000 ÂŁ per year.
Salary: ÂŁ65,432 per annum + Excellent Benefits
Location of Offices: Wooburn Green, Wycombe & Letchworth (Main office base is High Wycombe).
Hybrid Working: 2 days per week in the office, 3 days from home
Working Hours: 37 hours per week (Monday - Thursday 09:00 - 17:30, Friday 09:00 - 17:00).
Are you looking to join a growing, values-led organisation with a clear social purpose? At SettleParadigm, we’re proud to be the largest housing group in the region, managing over 27,000 homes across Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, and Hertfordshire. Everything we do is about delivering excellent services, high quality homes, neighbourhoods we can be proud of and maximising the number of new affordable homes we build.
If you’re ready to grow your career in a supportive, inclusive environment while helping to shape stronger communities, we’d love to welcome you on our journey. Together, we’re building a better future.
As our new Head of Strategy, you’ll play a pivotal role in defining that future - ensuring our ambitions, priorities and long‑term plans translate into meaningful outcomes for residents, colleagues and communities. This is a high‑impact, organisation‑wide role where you’ll lead the development and review of our Corporate Plan and associated strategies. You’ll ensure our strategic framework is clear, coherent and aligned with our service design, integration roadmap and long‑term change portfolio.
Working closely with Finance, Data and the PMO, you’ll help drive annual business planning and quarterly reviews, connecting strategic priorities with budgets, KPIs and delivery plans. You’ll also lead our ESG reporting, provide research and insight into sector trends to inform strategy, and act as a critical friend to senior leaders, helping turn strategic intent into practical, measurable action.
About the Role/team
You’ll join our Strategy & Policy team at an exciting moment in our journey as SettleParadigm. Following our merger, we’re bringing together shared values, skills and ambition to build more affordable homes and deliver excellent services for our communities. In this role, you’ll work closely with senior leaders, the Executive Board, Finance, PMO, Data & Performance teams, and external partners. You’ll help maintain a clear, coherent strategic framework that guides decision‑making across the organisation and underpins our three‑year roadmap. This is a highly collaborative role where you’ll influence, challenge and support colleagues across the business - ensuring our strategies are evidence‑based, financially aligned and grounded in what matters most to residents.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage the strategic framework, including the Corporate Plan and associated strategies
- Support the Director of Strategy & Policy in shaping and reviewing the Corporate Plan
- Engage colleagues, residents and stakeholders through inclusive consultation
- Ensure alignment between strategic objectives, service design and the change roadmap
- Maintain the three‑year roadmap with the PMO, distinguishing “run the business” vs “change the business” activity
- Prepare high‑quality reports for the Board, Committees and Executive team
- Draft and coordinate the annual ESG report, ensuring accuracy and compliance
- Strengthen ESG reporting frameworks and embed ESG into wider strategy updates
- Conduct research into best practice, sector trends and emerging risks
- Provide actionable insights to inform strategic and operational decisions
- Act as a critical friend to senior leaders, supporting translation of strategy into delivery
- Align strategy with KPIs, performance frameworks and financial planning
- Support development of tools and frameworks that embed strategic thinking across the organisation
What We’re Looking For
Must haves:
- Significant experience in strategic planning and corporate performance management
- Proven experience coordinating annual business planning and quarterly reviews
- Strong understanding of corporate planning frameworks, governance and KPIs
- Knowledge of ESG reporting requirements and sustainable finance principles
- Excellent analytical and research skills
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
- Strong facilitation and engagement skills
- Ability to distinguish and plan “run the business” vs “change the business” activity
- High‑level organisational and project management skills
- Degree‑level education or equivalent experience
Nice to haves:
- Experience integrating ESG reporting
- Experience working with PMO and Finance teams
- Understanding of social housing sector context and regulatory environment
- Ability to design and embed strategic frameworks and tools
- Advanced data interpretation and performance analysis skills
- Strategic or service design‑related certification
For added brilliance:
- A collaborative, confident communicator who can challenge constructively
- Passion for improving services and outcomes for residents
- Ability to turn complex information into clear, actionable insight
- Curiosity, creativity and a commitment to continuous improvement
At SettleParadigm, we believe in creating an environment where our people feel valued, supported and inspired to grow. Our comprehensive benefits and rewards package reflects this commitment.
Annual salary: ÂŁ65,432 per annum + Excellent Benefits
- 30 days holiday, increasing with service, plus Christmas closure and buy options
- Generous pension scheme – up to 9.5% employer contribution via salary sacrifice
- Family‑friendly leave: Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
- Health cash plan – claim up to £1,800 for everyday health costs (plus free kids’ cover)
- Life cover and income protection
- Hybrid working – modern offices, free parking & EV charging
And that’s just the beginning:
- Car leasing via salary sacrifice (for permanent colleagues)
- Funded training, qualifications & apprenticeships
- Paid professional subscription (one per year)
Working Hours
Hours: 37 hours per week, Monday – Friday 09:00 - 17:30 Monday - Thursday, 09:00 - 17:00 on Friday. Hybrid working: 2 days per week in the office (with travel to our High Wycombe & Letchworth offices), 3 days from home. Occasional travel across our operating area.
Our Commitment
We are committed to creating an inclusive workforce, by reflecting and representing the diversity of the communities we serve. We would like to encourage applications from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds; people who identify as disabled, neurodiverse, members of the LGBTQ+ community and people from underrepresented groups.
Accessibility and Adjustments
We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we’ll always endeavour to be as accommodating as possible. Please let us know in advance of any suitable arrangements required. Due to the nature of some of our roles involving work with vulnerable members of society, this post may be subject to a basic or enhanced Criminal Disclosure, which will be carried out when a conditional offer is made. Please ensure you fully answer the questions on the application form.
Closing Date Thursday, 22nd January 2026. We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the closing date should we find a suitable candidate.
Head of Strategy employer: SettleParadigm
Contact Detail:
SettleParadigm Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Strategy
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the housing sector or related fields. Attend industry events, webinars, or even local meet-ups. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Head of Strategy role!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching SettleParadigm inside out. Understand their mission, values, and recent projects. This will help you tailor your responses and show them you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You need to clearly articulate how your experience aligns with their strategic goals. Think about specific examples where you've driven change or improved services – this is your time to shine!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at SettleParadigm and contributing to our mission of building better communities.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Strategy
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with the Head of Strategy role. Highlight your strategic planning experience and how it connects to our mission at SettleParadigm.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since this role requires outstanding written communication, ensure your application is clear, concise, and free of jargon. Use straightforward language to demonstrate your ability to convey complex ideas simply.
Demonstrate Your Passion for Social Impact: We’re all about making a difference in our communities, so don’t forget to express your passion for social housing and how you can contribute to our goals. Share any relevant experiences that showcase your commitment to improving services for residents.
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, make sure to submit your application through our website. This way, we can easily track your application and ensure it reaches the right people in our team.
How to prepare for a job interview at SettleParadigm
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into SettleParadigm's mission and values. Understand their strategic goals and how they align with your experience in strategic planning and corporate performance management. This will help you demonstrate your passion for their social purpose and how you can contribute to their vision.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles that highlight your experience in coordinating annual business planning and quarterly reviews. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully managed strategic frameworks and aligned them with KPIs, as this is crucial for the Head of Strategy role.
✨Engage and Collaborate
Since this role involves working closely with various teams, practice how you'll engage with colleagues and stakeholders during the interview. Think about how you can facilitate discussions and gather insights, showcasing your strong facilitation and engagement skills.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions that reflect your understanding of the housing sector and ESG reporting requirements. This not only shows your interest in the role but also your commitment to continuous improvement and strategic thinking, which are key for the position.
