Our client is seeking a highly analytical and commercially minded Junior Director, Strategy & Planning to serve as a trusted advisor and execution partner to the CEO. This high-impact role sits at the intersection of strategy, business management, governance, and executive support, helping shape and deliver the organisation's strategic agenda while ensuring effective leadership, decision-making, and performance management.
Acting as a key liaison between regional and global leadership teams, the successful candidate will translate corporate strategy into actionable business plans, drive critical initiatives, support executive decision-making, and ensure alignment across senior stakeholders.
Location: Washington DC - 3 days per week
Start Date: ASAP
6 month W2 contract - moving into a permanent position
Key Responsibilities
Strategy & Business Planning
- Partner with the CEO and senior leadership team to develop, refine, and execute the organisation's strategic priorities.
- Lead the annual business planning and budgeting process, collaborating with Finance and business leaders on targets, resource allocation, and investment planning.
- Conduct market, competitor, and industry analysis to identify growth opportunities, emerging trends, and strategic risks.
- Evaluate new business opportunities, products, partnerships, and market expansion initiatives through robust business case development and financial analysis.
- Prepare strategic recommendations, presentations, and reports for executive leadership and governance committees.
Executive & Chief of Staff Support
- Serve as a strategic thought partner to the CEO, helping prioritise key business and operational objectives.
- Prepare executive briefings, presentations, talking points, and materials for leadership meetings, client engagements, regulatory interactions, and external events.
- Coordinate leadership meetings, offsites, and management forums, including agenda management, minutes, action tracking, and follow-up.
- Drive cross-functional collaboration to ensure CEO-led initiatives are delivered on time and aligned across the organisation.
- Support executive communications, leadership updates, and organisational messaging.
- Manage confidential and sensitive matters with the highest levels of professionalism and discretion.
Governance, Regulatory & Risk Management
- Support the effective operation of management committees and governance forums.
- Coordinate activities relating to regulatory examinations, supervisory reviews, audits, and compliance initiatives.
- Monitor and track regulatory, audit, and control actions, ensuring timely remediation and escalation where required.
- Promote a strong risk and governance culture across strategic initiatives and business activities.
- Ensure all strategic plans and initiatives align with regulatory requirements and corporate policies.
Performance Management & Business Intelligence
- Develop and maintain executive dashboards and KPI reporting across financial, operational, client, risk, and people metrics.
- Track performance against strategic objectives and budgets, identifying trends, risks, and opportunities.
- Produce regular business performance updates for senior leadership and executive stakeholders.
- Partner with business intelligence and reporting teams to ensure data quality, consistency, and effective management information.
Strategic Initiatives & Transformation
- Lead and coordinate strategic transformation, efficiency, and change initiatives across the organisation.
- Support the evaluation and execution of business growth opportunities, partnerships, and strategic transactions.
- Manage project planning, governance, milestone tracking, and benefits realisation for key initiatives.
- Contribute to external engagement activities, industry events, client initiatives, and programmes that strengthen the organisation's market presence.
Key Stakeholders
Internal
- CEO and Executive Leadership Team
- Business Unit Leaders
- Finance, Risk, Compliance, Legal and Audit Teams
- Strategy, Planning and Business Intelligence Functions
- Regional and Global Leadership Teams
External
- Regulatory and supervisory bodies
- External auditors and professional advisers
- Strategic partners and industry associations
- Key clients and stakeholders
Required Experience & Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Business, Law, or a related discipline.
- Advanced qualifications such as MBA, CFA, CPA, JD, or equivalent are advantageous.
- 8-12 years of relevant experience within strategy, business management, Chief of Staff, corporate planning, consulting, or financial services environments.
- Previous experience within a Big Four consulting firm (Deloitte, PwC, EY, or KPMG) is highly desirable, particularly within Financial Services, Banking, Transaction Advisory, Corporate Finance, Due Diligence, Regulatory Advisory, or Strategy Consulting practices.
- Experience within banking, financial services, corporate banking, investment banking, or a regulated international organisation is preferred.
- Strong understanding of governance, regulatory frameworks, and executive-level decision-making processes.
- Demonstrated experience preparing executive and board-level presentations and supporting senior stakeholders.
- Strategic Mindset: Ability to analyse complex business issues and translate insights into practical recommendations.
- Commercial Acumen: Strong understanding of business performance drivers and strategic growth opportunities.
- Financial & Analytical Expertise: Advanced financial modelling, business case development, and data analysis skills.
- Executive Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with experience creating high-quality executive materials.
- Stakeholder Management: Ability to build credibility and influence senior stakeholders across multiple functions and geographies.
- Project Execution: Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.
- Integrity & Discretion: High level of professionalism when handling confidential information and sensitive business matters.
- Global Perspective: Comfortable working within an international organisation and collaborating with stakeholders across regions and time zones.