Strategy Lead

Square One Resources Limited; Sheffield; Hybrid; GBP 92,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Square One Resources Limited is seeking a Strategy Lead based in Sheffield to shape the strategic direction of the financial services infrastructure function. The role focuses on roadmaps, transformation initiatives and measurable outcomes, with close collaboration with Technology, Operations, Finance and Transformation teams.

You will lead the operating rhythm of the infrastructure leadership team, drive governance, and support investment planning while ensuring delivery against strategic

Qualifications

• Proven experience in strategy, transformation, portfolio management or strategic planning within a large organisation.
• Experience in financial services, banking or a highly regulated environment.
• A good understanding of technology infrastructure, including compute, storage, cloud and hybrid operating models.
• Experience influencing senior stakeholders within complex, matrixed organisations.
• Excellent communication skills to produce concise executive-level presentations and recommendations.
• Strong analytical and commercial skills including financial planning, benefits tracking and risk management.

Responsibilities

• Lead annual and multi-year technology infrastructure strategy with roadmaps and transformation plans.
• Translate business and technology strategies into actionable initiatives with measurable benefits.
• Prepare executive presentations, strategy papers and decision documents for senior leadership.
• Own the leadership team's operating rhythm with performance reviews and governance forums.
• Monitor delivery, manage dependencies, risks, issues and decisions to maintain momentum.
• Support investment planning, budget management and financial transparency with Transformation and COO teams.
• Assess workforce capacity and resource allocation to support priorities.
• Identify opportunities to improve productivity and operating models.
• Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders across Technology, Infrastructure, Finance and Procurement.
• Facilitate collaboration across complex organisations and drive alignment.

Skills

Strategy

Transformation

Portfolio management

Stakeholder management

Executive presentations

Analytical skills

Job description

Strategy Lead - Based in Sheffield

Location: Sheffield - 3 days per week onsite
Day Rate: £563 per day inside IR35
Contract: 6 months
Sector: Financial Services / Banking

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Strategy Lead to support a major financial services organisation?s Enterprise Infrastructure function. This is an exciting opportunity to shape strategic direction, drive transformation and support senior leadership in delivering a resilient, modern and commercially effective technology infrastructure.

You will lead strategic planning and the operating rhythm for the infrastructure leadership team, translating wider technology and business objectives into clear roadmaps, transformation initiatives and measurable outcomes.

Working closely with senior stakeholders across Technology, Operations, Finance and Transformation, you will help drive priorities across infrastructure modernisation, service quality, operational resilience, risk management and financial performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead annual and multi-year technology infrastructure strategy, defining strategic priorities, roadmaps and transformation plans.
• Translate business and technology strategies into actionable initiatives with clear outcomes and measurable benefits.
• Prepare high-quality executive presentations, strategy papers and decision documents for senior leadership.
• Own the leadership team's operating rhythm, including regular performance reviews, strategic deep-dives and governance forums.
• Monitor strategic delivery, managing dependencies, risks, issues and decisions to maintain momentum.
• Support investment planning, budget management and financial transparency in partnership with Transformation and COO teams.
• Assess workforce capacity, capability requirements and resource allocation to support strategic priorities.
• Identify opportunities to improve productivity, simplify processes and enhance operating models.
• Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders across Technology, Infrastructure, Finance, Procurement and business leadership.
• Facilitate collaboration across complex organisations, driving alignment and effective decision-making.

Key Skills and Experience

• Proven experience in strategy, transformation, portfolio management, business management or strategic planning within a large organisation.
• Experience in financial services, banking or another highly regulated environment.
• A good understanding of technology infrastructure, including compute, storage, cloud and hybrid operating models.
• Demonstrable experience influencing senior stakeholders within complex, matrixed organisations.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to produce concise, compelling executive-level presentations and recommendations.
• Strong analytical and commercial skills, including financial planning, benefits tracking, prioritisation and risk management.
• Experience managing governance frameworks, strategic portfolios and leadership reporting.
• A track record of turning strategic objectives into practical plans and measurable business outcomes.

Personal Attributes

• Strategic and commercially minded, with a strong interest in technology and innovation.
• Collaborative and influential, able to build trusted relationships across multiple teams.
• Results-oriented, accountable and comfortable working under pressure.
• Customer-focused, with a commitment to continuous improvement and professional development.

Why Apply?

This is an opportunity to work at a senior strategic level within a major banking technology function, influencing infrastructure priorities, transformation programmes and investment decisions across a complex enterprise environment.