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- Tasks: Lead strategic planning and performance assessment for WaterAid's global impact.
- Company: Join WaterAid, a global leader in providing clean water and sanitation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 36 days of holiday, competitive salary, and a hybrid working environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the world by shaping strategies for global change.
- Qualifications: Experience in strategy, planning, and performance management is essential.
- Other info: Collaborative team culture with opportunities for professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 80000 £ per year.
Contract type: Permanent, Full time – 35 hours per week
Primary Location: London, UK. Address: 20 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5NN. We are open to considering candidates based in other locations where WaterAid has an existing office, provided the time zone is compatible with the UK. Please note that candidates must possess a valid Right to Work in their respective country of residence.
For the UK location: We support and enjoy a hybrid working environment. A minimum of 40% of working time is spent face-to-face, either in the London office, for coordination, collaboration, and connectivity across the team, or as a result of external engagement or travel for WaterAid.
Salary: £75,000 - £80,000 per annum with excellent benefits.
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 Director reports jointly to the WAUK Executive Director of Finance, Technology & Strategic Planning, and the Global Director, WAI. 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 international.
About the role: The Strategy, Planning and Performance Director works across WAUK and WaterAid International to deliver performance and planning. They are responsible for delivering planning and performance assessment across both WAUK and international - ensuring that these are aligned and link up in the most efficient manner possible. They will ensure that we understand how we are contributing towards our global strategy and we are maximising our global impact.
In this role, you will:
- Lead WAUK annual planning process. Support WAUK ED Finance, Technology and Strategic Planning to develop UK business plan.
- Lead global annual planning process: work with WaterAid members to align member business plans that maximise the potential contribution of each member to WaterAid’s Global Strategy and impact.
- Coordinate global and WAUK reporting at year end, ensuring a coherent narrative over time that provides clarity for UK Board and WaterAid international Board.
- Coordinate WAUK Quarterly Performance Review (QPR) process, delivering quarterly reporting to the UK DT and Board.
- Provide effective leadership to the Strategy, Planning and Performance team ensure high levels of motivation and engagement as well as strong relationships across the organisation.
- Lead on strategy and performance communications, working with the internal and external communications teams ensure all staff and relevant external audiences have a good understanding of WaterAid’s Global Strategy and our performance (Global and UK).
- Lead the project management support to key WAUK and WAi projects, as required.
- Own the Global Performance Management Framework to assess performance against WaterAid’s Global Strategy. Ensure this is aligned and integrated with member-level performance assessment processes.
- Own the development and evolution of WaterAid’s Global Strategy, ensuring effective analysis of external trends and context, drawing on expertise, experience and perspectives from across the organisation.
- Provide support, advice and guidance to enable effective, aligned implementation of the strategy across all members, including support programmes of change and / or individual change projects.
- Lead on any multi-annual review of progress against the Global Strategy to assess contribution to global change, identify achievements and challenges, lessons learned and recommendations.
To be successful, you will need:
- Strategic and critical thinking across complex and fast moving environments: able to shape business direction and strategy through anticipating and identifying trends and shifts in the wider world, able to translate strategy into action.
- Knowledge of corporate planning, with a deep understanding of different approaches in different contexts.
- Understanding of complex performance assessment in data-poor environments and complex, qualitative evaluation methodologies that enable deep reflection on performance.
- Effective stakeholder management; able to understand and translate senior leadership needs, managing expectations and support outside of remit.
- Significant experience of providing strategic guidance to Board and senior leaders within a large and complex organisation. Able to build and maintain credibility and trust at all levels of the organisation.
- A degree with substantial experience in strategy, planning, and performance management within a reputable organization. A Master’s degree or Professional finance qualifications (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) or an MBA are advantageous but not essential.
- Clear communication and ability to convey complex ideas in a compelling manner, tailoring arguments to persuade the listener.
Closing date: Applications close on Monday, 2nd February 2026, 12:00 PM (UK time). First Interviews will be held virtually on 17th and 18th February 2026. Second interviews will be conducted in person at our London office on 3rd and 4th March 2026.
How to apply: Click Apply to answer the pre-screening questions and upload your CV only.
Can I use Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in my application? At WaterAid, we strongly advise against using AI technology at any stage of the recruitment process. Our goal is to ensure a fair and transparent process that provides every applicant with an equal opportunity to succeed. We value hearing about your unique experiences and perspectives in your application, and, if shortlisted, during the interview as well.
Pre-employment screening: To apply for this role, you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in the respective country. All pre-employment checks will be carried out according to local law and WaterAid’s Safer Recruitment policy. All UK-based roles require a basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
UK Benefits: 36 days’ holiday (including 8...
Strategy, Planning and Performance Director employer: WaterAid
Contact Detail:
WaterAid Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategy, Planning and Performance Director
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those connected to WaterAid. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a job description just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by knowing your stuff! Research WaterAid’s mission and values, and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re passionate about making a difference.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get a friend to do a mock interview with you. This will help you articulate your thoughts clearly and boost your confidence when it’s time for the real deal.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you email. It shows your appreciation and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate your enthusiasm for the role!
We think you need these skills to ace Strategy, Planning and Performance Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Strategy, Planning and Performance Director role. Highlight relevant experience and skills that align with WaterAid's mission and values. We want to see how you can contribute to our vision!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about WaterAid's work and how your background makes you the perfect fit for this role. Keep it engaging and personal – we love hearing your story!
Be Clear and Concise: When filling out the application, be clear and concise in your responses. We appreciate straightforward answers that get to the point. Remember, clarity helps us understand your qualifications better!
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it helps us keep track of all applicants efficiently. We can't wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at WaterAid
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into WaterAid's mission and values. Understand their global strategy and how your role as Strategy, Planning and Performance Director fits into that. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you articulate how your experience aligns with their goals.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your strategic thinking and stakeholder management skills. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully navigated complex environments or led performance assessments. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a director, your leadership approach is crucial. Be ready to discuss how you motivate teams and foster collaboration. Share specific instances where you've built strong relationships across an organisation and how that contributed to achieving strategic objectives.
✨Communicate Clearly
Given the need to convey complex ideas effectively, practice explaining your thoughts in a clear and compelling manner. Tailor your communication style to your audience, whether it’s senior leaders or team members. This will demonstrate your ability to engage diverse stakeholders.
