At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic planning and governance to drive sustainable growth at War Child UK.
- Company: Join War Child UK, a passionate organisation dedicated to supporting children in conflict.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Embrace a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion in your leadership.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while shaping impactful strategies.
- Qualifications: Experience in fundraising, performance management, and team leadership required.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
This maternity cover post, running to early November 2027, leads the Planning, Performance and Governance function within War Child UK's Resources directorate. The postholder turns strategic ambitions into prioritised plans, runs the performance framework and governance, and directs effort towards sustainable income growth. The role combines managing a multi-disciplinary team with working across directorates and advising the CEO, Leadership Group and Board, with around two office days a week under hybrid working. Experience of fundraising is central, with marketing background helpful.
What the job involves:
- Lead the organisation-wide strategic and operational planning cycle, turning priorities into objectives, milestones and resource requirements.
- Work with Directors to shape the five-year strategy and prioritise opportunities for income, reach and impact.
- Lead the governance framework and align governance and board activity with strategic goals.
- Lead and manage the Planning, Performance and Governance function, including its budget.
- Own and continuously improve the strategic performance management framework and reporting.
- Advise the CEO, Leadership Group and Board on governance, organisational performance and emerging risks.
- Identify, assess and evaluate opportunities for sustainable growth and income generation.
- Lead thinking on business cases, forecasts and plans with fundraising, finance, programmes and other teams.
- Facilitate organisational prioritisation and strategic decision-making.
- Oversee monitoring and evaluation of financial and non-financial performance.
- Provide analysis and recommendations to the Executive Team and Board of Trustees.
- Embed diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging within strategic planning and leadership practice.
Experience:
- Experienced fundraiser with understanding of the sector and UK giving market.
- Experience of performance management, organisational planning and data interpretation.
- Experience of leading and developing people.
Skills & knowledge:
- Strategic thinker who turns ambition into deliverable plans and measurable outcomes.
- Commercial and financial acumen to build robust business cases and balance growth, impact, affordability and risk.
- Sound judgement where information is complex, incomplete or contested.
- Collaborative, relationship-focused approach to influencing senior colleagues, trustees and external stakeholders, with constructive challenge.
- Effective verbal and written communication of complex strategic, financial and performance information.
- Knowledge of governance, risk management, project management and ethical stewardship of resources and information.
Other:
- Commitment to War Child's mission and values, including safeguarding, PSEAH, diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
- Practical, curious and committed to continuous improvement and root-cause analysis.
- Commitment to maintaining professional knowledge and personal development.
Nice to have:
- Informed practice in a marketing discipline.
- Professional qualification in a relevant discipline, or equivalent expertise gained through experience.
Executive Head of Planning, Performance & Governance (Maternity Cover) in London employer: War Child UK
War Child UK offers a dynamic and supportive work environment, focusing on employee wellbeing, engagement, and professional development. The organization emphasizes a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring that all employees feel valued and empowered. With opportunities for strategic leadership roles, employees can significantly impact the charity's mission while collaborating closely with senior leadership.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Executive Head of Planning, Performance & Governance (Maternity Cover) in London
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by War Child UK.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like War Child UK.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at War Child UK.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at War Child UK. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Executive Head of Planning, Performance & Governance (Maternity Cover) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of War Child UK. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Executive Head of Planning, Performance & Governance (Maternity Cover), ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at War Child UK
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of War Child UK. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
