Head of Strategy, Planning & Insights

NatWest Group; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services organization is seeking a Head of Strategy, Planning and Insights. In this pivotal role, you will lead the Corporate Affairs strategy and manage operations ensuring alignment with business objectives and driving transformation initiatives. Your strategic oversight will be key to achieving operational efficiency and aligning the CA function with broader business goals.

Qualifications

• Experience in complex change design and delivery.
• Knowledge of capability, strategy, and planning.
• Ability to develop senior-level working relationships.

Responsibilities

• Lead the execution of Corporate Affairs strategy.
• Drive operational management and process improvement initiatives.
• Oversee operational delivery of the CA strategy.

Skills

Collaboration

Strategic thinking

Communication

Analytical skills

Job description

Join us as a Head of Strategy, Planning and Insights

• We’ll look to you to lead the execution of Corporate Affairs (CA) strategy, aligning business goals with strategic initiatives, monitoring progress, and ensuring alignment between all areas of CA while also managing day-to-day operations
• You’ll make sure transformation initiatives are in line with GCOO investment planning and prioritisation, while reporting timely on their progress
• This is a high-profile role, where you’ll have the chance to be a key contributor in the development of the CA strategy as a member of CA LT

What you'll do

In this key role, you’ll drive efficiency and effectiveness of the CA function through comprehensive planning, strategy development and process management. This includes governance oversight, service optimisation, budget and resource planning, and strategic alignment of function goals with broader business objectives, within risk appetite, ensuring adherence to our Group policy, governance and frameworks.

We’ll look to you to lead CA Operations and Planning team by translating strategy into operational management activities that will deliver the strategy. You’ll also drive the delivery of key strategic projects and priorities along with delivering against agreed annual CA financial plan and budget, considering longer term requirements.

In addition, you’ll:

• Lead on the delivery and implementation of operational process improvement initiatives and digital transformation projects across the CA functions
• Define and lead the execution of key operational processes for the CA function including Budget, People, and Capability
• Oversee day-to-day activities of the CA team, including resource allocation, budget management, and ensuring effective execution of plans
• Oversee operational delivery of the CA strategy and reporting its progress to stakeholders
• Conduct market research, analysing market trends and conducting competitor analysis to identify new opportunities and trends in the industry
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment and execution of strategic objectives

The skills you'll need

To succeed in this role, you’ll need knowledge of capability, strategy and planning with the ability to collaborate, challenge and influence internal and external stakeholders across strategic, operational and delivery functions. We’ll expect you to build and manage the overarching communications strategy and engagement plan for the function.

We’ll also expect you to have experience of design and delivery of complex change along with experience of operational and financial planning.

You’ll also need:

• The ability to bring new ideas to the function in terms of technology advancement, managing transformation
• To be an innovative thinker, with strong communication, collaboration and facilitation skills
• A desire to learn and role model critical agile capabilities and ways of working
• The ability to analyse data and use information to develop creative solutions that bring tangible value
• Experience in delivering tactical and strategic solutions
• The ability to develop effective working relationships at a senior level