At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic planning and analysis to shape the University’s future direction.
- Company: Join the University of Southampton, a top 100 global research university.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous holidays, and a strong pension scheme.
- Other info: Collaborate with senior leaders in a dynamic and inclusive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in higher education by influencing strategic decisions.
- Qualifications: Strong analytical skills and experience in strategic planning required.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 € per year.
The University of Southampton is a world‑leading, research‑intensive university with a high‑quality educational offering and a consistent position within the Top 100 universities globally. As an ambitious and forward‑looking institution, the University operates in an increasingly complex higher‑education environment that requires clarity of purpose, robust evidence, and effective long‑term planning. The Strategy Office plays a central role in shaping and delivering the University’s strategic direction.
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Office as a Senior Strategic Planning Manager within the Strategic Planning and Analytics team covering a period of maternity leave.
The Role
The Senior Strategic Planning Manager acts as a strategic business partner, providing expert advice, rigorous analysis, and constructive challenge to ensure the University Strategy is translated into ambitious, coherent, and deliverable faculty plans. The role works closely with Deans, Faculty Leadership Teams, and senior Professional Services colleagues, operating as a trusted adviser to support strategic alignment and effective delivery. Alongside this faculty‑facing partnership, the postholder leads selected University‑wide strategic planning activities. This includes competitor and benchmarking analysis, horizon scanning of policy and sector developments, and contributing to the development, monitoring, and reporting of university‑level strategic key performance indicators.
Key Responsibilities
The role leads and coordinates strategic planning within designated faculties, ensuring alignment with the University Strategy and supporting delivery through strategic and annual planning processes. This includes developing, monitoring, and reviewing performance frameworks and KPIs, using evidence‑based insight to assess progress and recommend action where required. The postholder undertakes qualitative and quantitative analysis to support strategic decision‑making, synthesising data from multiple internal and external sources. This includes leading competitor analysis and benchmarking, drawing on sector intelligence and performance metrics to identify strengths, risks, and opportunities. Working closely with Finance, Faculty Operations and other Professional Services teams, the Senior Strategic Planning Manager contributes to action plans, business cases, and investment proposals. The role also supports strategic reviews and strategy renewal processes, applying knowledge of the higher‑education landscape to horizon scan policy, funding and regulatory developments and communicate their implications clearly.
About You
This role is suited to a confident and analytically minded professional motivated by supporting a complex organisation to achieve its strategic ambitions. The successful candidate will bring strong strategic planning experience in a complex environment, with the ability to move between institutional strategy and local delivery. The role requires the judgement and people skills needed to act as a trusted adviser to senior academic leaders and Professional Services colleagues, including the confidence to offer constructive challenge. Strong analytical skills are essential, along with the ability to communicate complex ideas succinctly and tailor messages for different audiences. The postholder will be comfortable interrogating and modelling data independently, for example using Excel, and collaborating with specialist analytics colleagues where appropriate. A genuine interest in higher education is essential.
Why Join Us?
The University of Southampton is committed to creating a working environment where everyone can thrive, promoting inclusion, respect, and equality of opportunity. The University offers a generous defined benefit pension scheme, competitive holiday allowance with additional closure days, and flexible and hybrid working arrangements. This is an opportunity to work at the heart of a leading UK university, influencing strategic direction and shaping its future.
Senior Strategic Planning Manager in Southampton employer: University of Southampton
The University of Southampton is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive work environment that fosters professional growth and collaboration. As a world-leading institution, employees benefit from competitive remuneration, a generous pension scheme, and flexible working arrangements, all while contributing to the strategic direction of a top 100 global university. Joining the Strategic Planning and Analytics team means being at the forefront of shaping educational excellence and making a meaningful impact in higher education.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Strategic Planning Manager in Southampton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at the University of Southampton on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the university's strategic goals and recent initiatives. We want you to show that you’re not just interested in the role, but that you understand how it fits into the bigger picture.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your analytical skills! Be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in past roles. We love candidates who can back up their ideas with solid evidence and insights.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at the University of Southampton.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Strategic Planning Manager in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with the Senior Strategic Planning Manager role. Highlight your strategic planning experience and how it relates to the university's goals.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since this role requires strong analytical abilities, be sure to include examples of how you've used data to inform decision-making in previous positions. We want to see your knack for turning complex data into actionable insights!
Communicate Clearly:When writing your application, keep your language clear and concise. Remember, you’ll need to communicate complex ideas succinctly in this role, so demonstrate that skill right from the start!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our official website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves and helps us keep track of all applicants efficiently.
How to prepare for a job interview at University of Southampton
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you thoroughly understand the University of Southampton's strategic goals and recent developments in higher education. Familiarise yourself with their current strategic plans and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their objectives.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to demonstrate your analytical prowess by discussing specific examples where you've used data to inform strategic decisions. Be ready to explain your approach to competitor analysis and how you've synthesised complex information into actionable insights.
✨Build Rapport with Stakeholders
Since this role involves working closely with Deans and Faculty Leadership Teams, practice how you'll establish trust and rapport. Think of examples where you've successfully collaborated with senior leaders and how you navigated challenging conversations.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions that show your genuine interest in the role and the university's future. Inquire about their current challenges in strategic planning or how they measure success in their initiatives, which will demonstrate your proactive mindset.
