Head of Strategy & Impact

National Trust; Swindon; Hybrid; GBP 72,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Substantial pension scheme up to 10%

Free entry to National Trust places

Rental deposit loan scheme

Season ticket loan

EV car lease scheme

Perks at work discounts

Holiday allowance up to 32 days + hol.

Flexible working

Employee assistance programme

Free parking at most Trust places

Job summary

The National Trust invites applications for Head of Strategy & Impact to lead strategy development, measurement of impact and the use of insight to inform decision-making. You’ll work with senior leaders to ensure priorities are evidence-driven, ambitious and deliver lasting impact.

The role is based at the Swindon head office with a hybrid pattern requiring 40–60% on-site presence. You will oversee evaluation, use diverse perspectives to strengthen strategy, and provide strategic guidance to

Qualifications

• Experience in a senior strategy leadership role within a complex organisation.
• Demonstrable experience of leading development, implementation and periodic review of organisational strategy.
• Inclusive strategic leadership and facilitation skills to influence at Executive, Board and senior levels.
• Experience using research, insight, evaluation and evidence to shape strategy and support learning.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement and review our organisational strategy with senior leaders.
• Translate strategic priorities into clear plans and measurable outcomes using evidence and insights.
• Oversee evaluation and strategic insight to deepen understanding of issues and opportunities.
• Provide strategic advice to senior leaders and trustees and lead a diverse, high-performing team.

Skills

Senior strategy leadership

Strategy development & execution

Evidence-based decision making

Research & evaluation

Stakeholder influence & facilitation

Cross-functional collaboration

Team leadership & development

Job description

Summary

We're looking for a Head of Strategy & Impact to join our Strategy & Governance directorate to provide strategic leadership for how we develop our strategy, measure impact and use insight to inform decision-making. You'll help ensure our priorities are guided by strong evidence, meaningful learning and a clear focus on delivering lasting impact. Working closely with senior leaders, you'll lead the development of organisational strategy, ensuring it remains relevant, ambitious and responsive to a changing world.

The National Trust's commitment is "For everyone, for ever." Bringing that promise to life starts with the people that work here. It means building teams with a diverse range of backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. It means creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. Our positions are open to all, and we welcome applications from all backgrounds to support our ambitions of reflecting the communities we serve and ending unequal access.

Salary: up to £80,000 dependant on experience.

What it's like to work here

Working with colleagues across our organisation, you'll regularly engage with senior leaders, trustees and external partners. You'll join a collaborative environment where curiosity, learning and innovation are valued, and where people work together to tackle complex challenges and create long-term impact.

Your contractual location will be our head office in Swindon. However, we operate a hybrid approach to working and expect colleagues to spend 40-60% of their working week at a National Trust location. There is flexibility within this framework, and the specific working pattern for this role will be discussed in more detail at interview.

What you'll be doing

You'll work closely with the Strategy & Governance Director on the development, implementation and ongoing review of our strategy, and by working with your peers in the team ensure strategic priorities are translated into clear plans and meaningful outcomes. You'll use evidence, insight and learning to help shape decision-making and ensure we remain focused on what matters most.

You'll oversee our approach to evaluation and strategic insight, bringing together data, evidence, research, lived experience and external perspectives to deepen understanding of key issues and opportunities. You'll use this insight to inform strategy, support organisational learning and scale our ability to influence thinking and practice well beyond the organisation.

You'll provide strategic advice to senior leaders and trustees, identifying emerging trends, risks and opportunities and helping the organisation respond effectively. Working across teams and with external partners, you'll encourage collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement. You'll also lead and develop a skilled team, creating an inclusive environment where people are supported to contribute, learn and grow.

Who we're looking for

You’ll bring a broad range of the following knowledge, skills and experience, shaped by different roles, sectors or career paths, and the judgment to apply them effectively at scale;

• Experience in a senior strategy leadership role within a complex organisation.
• Demonstrable experience of leading the development, implementation and periodic review of organisational strategy.
• Inclusive strategic leadership and facilitation skills, with the ability to influence, challenge and build consensus at Executive, Board and senior leadership level.
• Experience using research, insight, evaluation and evidence to shape organisational strategy, inform major decisions and support organisational learning.
• Authentic relationship-building and influencing skills, with the ability to work collaboratively and achieve outcomes through influence.
• Ability to synthesise ideas, evidence and perspectives from multiple sources into a coherent strategic vision and practical recommendations.
• Resourceful leadership with experience of developing diverse teams and creating an inclusive culture where different perspectives are valued and people can thrive.

The package

The National Trust has the motto 'For everyone, for ever' at its heart. We're working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It's important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we're for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
• Rental deposit loan scheme
• Season ticket loan
• EV car lease scheme (for roles that meet the salary criteria)
• Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
• Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.
• Flexible working whenever possible
• Employee assistance programme
• Free parking at most Trust places