Strategy Manager

Exchange For Change; Milton Keynes; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary

Bonus scheme

34 days holiday

Holiday flexibility

Pension 5%

Life Insurance

Private Medical Insurance

Income protection

Family Leave

Hybrid working

Job summary

Exchange for Change is seeking a Strategy Manager to lead critical strategic priorities for the UK-wide Deposit Return Scheme. You will work directly with senior leadership, shaping insight, evidence and recommendations to inform decisions and drive delivery.

The role blends internal strategy with hands-on implementation in a small, central Strategy & Programme team. You’ll partner with senior executives, directing research, analysis and stakeholder engagement while turning ambiguity into

Qualifications

• Experience working on complex strategic, commercial or operational challenges, ideally within a strategy consulting or similar environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to break down complex issues and develop practical, actionable recommendations.
• Experience leading projects or workstreams with a high degree of autonomy, taking ownership from problem definition through to implementation.
• A track record of driving work forward independently, navigating ambiguity and maintaining momentum without requiring close direction.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare compelling presentations and papers for senior audiences.
• Confidence working with senior stakeholders and presenting recommendations clearly and credibly.
• Strong research, synthesis and critical thinking skills, combined with sound judgement and a focus on practical outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead high-profile strategic projects from initial problem definition through to recommendation and implementation.
• Structure complex and ambiguous challenges into clear workplans, hypotheses and decision points.
• Develop robust recommendations supported by evidence, analysis and stakeholder insight.
• Ensure strategic projects deliver tangible outcomes and create lasting value for the organisation.
• Design and deliver research programmes for strategic projects.
• Analyse data, evidence and market developments to identify opportunities, risks and emerging trends.
• Assess strategic options and trade-offs, developing clear recommendations for senior leadership.
• Build a deep understanding of the Deposit Return Scheme, the UK grocery retail market, the wider recycling landscape and an evolving policy environment SLT and Board Decision Support.
• Prepare high-quality papers, presentations and recommendations for the CEO, Senior Leadership Team and Board.
• Present findings and recommendations clearly and confidently to senior audiences.
• Provide structured thinking and problem‑solving support on emerging issues and priority initiatives.
• Work with internal and external stakeholders to develop, test and refine strategic recommendations.
• Manage external advisers and subject matter experts where appropriate.
• Build alignment and support around strategic initiatives and organisational priorities.
• Remain involved beyond recommendation, supporting the transition from strategy into delivery and implementation.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Project leadership

Analytical skills

Stakeholder engagement

Strong communication

Autonomy

Job description

About us

At Exchange for Change, we are building something the UK has never had before. Working across the UK, we are designing and delivering a Deposit Return Scheme from the ground up, creating a system that helps reduce litter and waste by encouraging people to return their empty drinks bottles and cans for recycling.

We are industry led and driven by purpose. A national movement with a clear mission. No bottle unreturned. No can left behind.

This is not just another job. This is a rare opportunity to do meaningful work, shape a landmark national programme, and help deliver lasting positive impact for people, businesses and the planet alike.

Your role

High level responsibilities

This is a unique opportunity to help shape the future of one of the UK's most ambitious environmental programmes.

As Strategy Manager, you will lead some of Exchange for Change's most important strategic priorities and problem-solving efforts. Working directly with senior leadership, you will take ownership of some of the organisation's most important strategic challenges, developing the insight, evidence and recommendations needed to inform critical decisions and drive the organisation forward.

This is not a traditional corporate strategy role. You will operate as an internal strategic lead, taking projects from initial problem definition through to recommendation and implementation. Whether developing strategies to increase container return rates, exploring future opportunities for Exchange for Change across the recycling value chain, or responding to emerging challenges facing the scheme, you will be expected to bring structure to ambiguity and turn ideas into action.

You will work closely with the Director of Strategy and Programme, the CEO, the Senior Leadership Team and the Board, leading research and analysis, engaging stakeholders, overseeing external advisers and building compelling recommendations that influence decisions at the highest levels of the organisation. You will be part of the Strategy and Programme team, a small, central function at the heart of Exchange for Change, reporting into the Strategy & Programme Director.

The team is responsible for shaping the direction of the scheme, solving complex strategic challenges and supporting informed decision-making across the organisation.

Our main office is in Milton Keynes (30min from London Euston), you'll need a willingness to attend team meetings from time to time in MK or in London, else this role is Hybrid.

Key Responsibilities & Priorities

Strategic Project Leadership

• Lead high-profile strategic projects from initial problem definition through to recommendation and implementation
• Structure complex and ambiguous challenges into clear workplans, hypotheses and decision points
• Develop robust recommendations supported by evidence, analysis and stakeholder insight
• Ensure strategic projects deliver tangible outcomes and create lasting value for the organisation

Research, Analysis and Insight Development

• Design and deliver research programmes for strategic projects
• Analyse data, evidence and market developments to identify opportunities, risks and emerging trends
• Assess strategic options and trade-offs, developing clear recommendations for senior leadership
• Build a deep understanding of the Deposit Return Scheme, the UK grocery retail market, the wider recycling landscape and an evolving policy environment SLT and Board Decision Support
• Prepare high-quality papers, presentations and recommendations for the CEO, Senior Leadership Team and Board
• Present findings and recommendations clearly and confidently to senior audiences
• Provide structured thinking and problem‑solving support on emerging issues and priority initiatives

Stakeholder Engagement and Strategic Delivery

• Work with internal and external stakeholders to develop, test and refine strategic recommendations
• Manage external advisers and subject matter experts where appropriate
• Build alignment and support around strategic initiatives and organisational priorities
• Remain involved beyond recommendation, supporting the transition from strategy into delivery and implementation

What success looks like

About You

You will bring:

• Experience working on complex strategic, commercial or operational challenges, ideally within a strategy consulting or similar environment
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to break down complex issues and develop practical, actionable recommendations
• Experience leading projects or workstreams with a high degree of autonomy, taking ownership from problem definition through to implementation
• A track record of driving work forward independently, navigating ambiguity and maintaining momentum without requiring close direction
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare compelling presentations and papers for senior audiences
• Confidence working with senior stakeholders and presenting recommendations clearly and credibly
• Strong research, synthesis and critical thinking skills, combined with sound judgement and a focus on practical outcomes
• The ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver high-quality outputs at pace

You are likely to be:

• Intellectually curious and motivated by solving difficult problems
• Highly proactive, taking ownership of challenges and driving them forward without waiting for direction
• Structured, organised and able to bring clarity to ambiguity
• Comfortable making progress with imperfect information, balancing thoughtful analysis with decisive action
• Collaborative and low-ego, able to work effectively with a wide range of stakeholders
• Motivated by purpose and the opportunity to contribute to a programme of national importance

The opportunity

Work that makes a difference - and a place where you can too.

This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to help establish a scheme of national importance, working with purpose-driven colleagues and partners to deliver visible, real-world impact. You’ll contribute directly to meaningful environmental and social change and in return, we support and reward our team through a range of benefits and initiatives, including:

• Competitive base salary
• Bonus scheme
• 34 days holiday inclusive of bank holidays, additional holidays for length of service
• Flexibility with holidays. You may work on a local public holiday and take an alternative day off, giving you the freedom to celebrate the days that matter most to you.
• 5% employer pension contribution
• Life Insurance: Cover of 4 times base salary
• Private Medical Insurance: Includes GP access and an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for wellbeing support
• Income protection
• Family Leave: Maternity, adoption, parental, and paternity leave policies will be developed to be progressive and inclusive.
• Hybrid Working: 60% office or field-based and 40% home-based, with some flexibility according to business and personal needs.