At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic planning and performance management to drive global change at WaterAid.
- Company: Join WaterAid, a global leader in providing clean water and sanitation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 36 days of holiday, flexible working, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to equity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on global water issues while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Degree in strategy or related field with experience in performance management.
The predicted salary is between 61645 - 61645 € per year.
Contract type: Permanent, Full-time, 35 hours per week
Location: London, UK
UK hybrid working: a minimum of 40% of working time is spent face-to-face (in the London office, at external meetings, or on travel). 60/40 hybrid working at WaterAid means roughly three days wherever you work best and two days together in person.
Salary: £61,645 per year with excellent benefits. We offer competitive, market-aligned starting salaries. While most roles are offered at the advertised starting salary, we may adjust this in exceptional cases depending on a candidate’s experience, skills, and potential.
Change starts with water. Change starts with you. Every day, millions of people live without clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. WaterAid exists to change that – for everyone, everywhere. Join us, and your energy will help unlock people’s potential and create a fairer future.
About WaterAid: We’re a global federation driven by one vision: a world where everyone, everywhere has clean water, sanitation and hygiene by 2030. Powered by our values of Respect, Accountability, Courage, Collaboration, Integrity and Innovation, we work alongside communities, partners and supporters to make change happen.
About the team: The Strategy, Planning and Performance Manager reports to the Director of Strategy, Performance and Planning, working across both UK and the global federation’s performance and planning functions and our Global Strategy. They will therefore belong both to the UK Finance, Technology and Strategic Planning Directorate team and to the Global Secretariat. The team consists of roles that work across WAUK and WA international.
About the role: As our Strategy, Performance and Planning Manager, you will play a pivotal role in our global planning and performance cycle, translating strategy into actionable insights that maximise impact, and work closely with senior leaders, country programmes, global member teams, and cross-functional stakeholders to drive sustainable change.
- Play a leading role in the planning and reporting cycle in WAUK and WAi, ensuring aligned business plans that maximise the potential contribution of each member to WaterAid’s Global Strategy and impact.
- Use strong analysis and presentation skills, to feed into a coherent narrative that drives data informed decisions and actions.
- Lead multi-annual and thematic reviews of progress against the Global Strategy to assess contribution to global change, identify achievements and challenges, lessons learned and recommendations.
- Support development and evolution of WaterAid’s Global Strategy, project managing key enablers of the strategy and drawing on expertise, experience and perspectives from across the organisation to drive progress.
- Lead on strategy development at Global, Member and Country Programme level, working within the wider strategy remit and supporting the wider federation’s objectives at all times.
- Champion WaterAid’s commitment to equity, inclusion and safeguarding.
To be successful, you will need:
- Strategic and critical thinking across complex and fast-moving environments: with the ability to consider how trends and shifts in the wider world and internally may affect strategic delivery.
- Strong analytical skills with a good understanding of performance measurement in data-poor environments and qualitative evaluation methodologies that enable deep reflection on performance.
- Knowledge of corporate planning, with an understanding of different approaches in different contexts.
- Effective stakeholder management; able to understand and present to diverse audiences, anticipating differing needs.
- A degree with substantial experience in strategy, planning, and performance management within a reputable organisation. A Master’s degree would be advantageous but not essential.
Closing date: Applications close at 12:00 PM (UK time) on Tuesday, 19 May 2026. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the role may close earlier if a suitable candidate is identified, so we encourage you to apply as early as possible. Interviews are expected to take place in the week commencing 25 May 2026.
Benefits:
- 36 days’ holiday (including 8 Bank Holidays)
- Option to buy an extra 5 days’ annual leave
- Employer pension contribution up to 10%
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
- Season ticket loan
- Free annual eye tests
- ‘Give as you Earn’ charitable giving scheme
- Enhanced parental leave (maternity, adoption/surrogacy, shared parental and paternity)
- Sabbaticals
- One paid volunteer day each year
Our Commitments:
Our People Promise: We will work with passion and focus to make sure everyone everywhere has clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. WaterAid is a place of purpose – where people have a real commitment and shared responsibility for the impact we have. We are a global community with diverse backgrounds and perspectives, motivated by inspiring, stimulating work. We are determined to be a place where people feel safe and able to contribute their voice and truly live our values.
Equal Opportunities: We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, beliefs, customs, traditions, ways of life and status. This includes, but is not limited to, race, ethnicity, caste, colour, gender, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, disability status, neurodiversity, age, marital and family status, sexual orientation and gender identity, health status, place of residence, economic and social situation.
Safeguarding: We are committed to protecting everyone we come into contact with. We have a zero-tolerance approach to abuse of power, privilege or trust across our global work, and to any form of inappropriate behaviour, discrimination, abuse, bullying, harassment, or exploitation. Safeguarding the people and communities we work with, our staff, volunteers and anyone working on our behalf is our top priority, and we take our responsibilities extremely seriously. All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks (which can include counterterrorism, safeguarding and criminal records checks).
Together, we’ll change the world through water. Join us and be part of the change!
Strategy, Performance and Planning Manager employer: WaterAid
WaterAid is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and inclusive work culture, empowering employees to make a meaningful impact on global water and sanitation issues. With generous benefits such as 36 days of holiday, flexible working arrangements, and opportunities for professional growth, employees are supported in their personal and career development while contributing to a vital mission. Located in London, the role offers a dynamic environment where strategic thinking and innovative solutions are valued, making it an ideal place for those seeking rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategy, Performance and Planning Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those connected to WaterAid. Attend events, webinars, or even casual meet-ups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching WaterAid’s mission and values. Think about how your skills align with their goals. Be ready to share examples of how you've driven change in previous roles – they love a good story!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You want to be able to clearly articulate your experience and how it relates to the Strategy, Performance and Planning Manager role. Keep it concise and impactful – remember, first impressions count!
✨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 genuinely interested in being part of the WaterAid team. Get your application in early to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Strategy, Performance and Planning Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Strategy, Performance and Planning Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience and skills that align with our mission at WaterAid. We want to see how you can contribute to our vision of a world with clean water for everyone!
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since this role requires strong analytical abilities, don’t shy away from sharing specific examples of how you've used data to drive decisions in past roles. We love seeing how you’ve tackled complex problems and made an impact through your insights.
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application! We value integrity and collaboration, so share your genuine passion for our cause and how your values align with WaterAid’s. This is your chance to show us who you are beyond your qualifications.
Apply Early!:Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application. We review applications on a rolling basis, so the sooner you apply, the better your chances. Head over to our website and get your application in – we can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at WaterAid
✨Know Your Strategy
Before the interview, dive deep into WaterAid's Global Strategy. Understand how your role as a Strategy, Performance and Planning Manager fits into the bigger picture. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their mission of providing clean water and sanitation.
✨Showcase Analytical Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your strong analytical skills. Think about times you've used data to inform decisions or improve performance. Be specific about the methodologies you employed, especially in data-poor environments, as this will resonate with the interviewers.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since effective stakeholder management is key, come prepared with examples of how you've successfully engaged diverse audiences. Discuss how you anticipate differing needs and tailor your communication accordingly. This shows you understand the importance of collaboration.
✨Embrace WaterAid’s Values
Familiarise yourself with WaterAid's values: Respect, Accountability, Courage, Collaboration, Integrity, and Innovation. During the interview, weave these values into your responses. Show how your personal values align with theirs, particularly around equity and inclusion.
