Director, Strategic Initiatives

Job id: 081825. Salary: £130k – £150k per annum, including London Weighting Allowance.

Posted: 03 January 2024. Closing date: 28 January 2024.

Business unit: Executive Portfolios. Department: Principal’s Senior Team.

Contact details:Shitij Kapur. vice-chancellor@kcl.ac.uk

Location: Strand Campus. Category: Professional & Support Services.

Job description

The Vice-Chancellor of King’s College London is seeking a Director, Strategic Initiatives to support the delivery of King’s Vision 2029 and Strategy 2026 and related projects. As the Director, Strategic Initiatives, you will be based within the VC’s Office and will work most closely with the VC to coordinate the successful execution of strategic initiatives within the University as we approach our 200th anniversary. This position requires a seasoned professional with a proven track record in project management, strategic planning and implementation, and cross-functional collaboration and with excellent communication skills and delicate stakeholder management. The role holder will work closely with Vice Chancellor’s Senior Team to ensure that strategic objectives are translated into actionable plans and delivered with excellence.

This post will be offered on an indefinite contract  

This is a full-time post

Key responsibilities

• King’s has developed a Strategy 2026 and has a Vision for 2029. The focus now is on keeping the strategy current in light of the market dynamics and competitive landscape, and on delivering on the promises.
• Contribute to the development and refinement of the strategic roadmap
• Lead the coordinated planning and timely delivery of senior leadership sponsored strategic initiatives
• Develop the University masterplan for delivery
• Monitor and report on progress and identify and address potential risks and road blocks
• Foster collaboration and communication across various departments and teams
• Work closely with senior leaders to ensure alignment with strategic goals
• Facilitate cross-functional teams to drive the successful implementation of initiatives
• Implement systems for tracking and reporting on progress
• Analyse and interpret data to provide insights and recommendations for continuous improvement
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting to Council and University Executive
• Engage with key stakeholders both inside and outside the University
• Build and maintain strong relationships within and beyond the University to ensure alignment and support for strategic objectives
• Assist the VC in actively pursuing external relations and objectives in accordance with the Strategy and ensuring timely follow up and delivery
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement within the University
• Identify opportunities to optimise processes and enhance efficiency
• Implement best practices in project management and strategic execution

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

Skills, knowledge, and experience 

Essential criteria

Proven experience in working with a CEO/VC/MD with a focus on strategic management and delivery

Exceptional organizational and project management skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.

Strong interpersonal skills to build and maintain relationships along with diplomatic skills to get work done by those higher up in the organisational heirarchy.

Willing to challenge the status quo and ask difficult questions

Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data and metrics to measure the effectiveness of public affairs strategies.

Very good communication, facilitation and reporting skills with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and persuasively.

Flexibility and adaptability to work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.

Desirable criteria

HE experience

Good knowledge of government processes, public policy and regulatory issues

We ask all candidates to submit a copy of their CV, and a supporting statement, detailing how they meet the essential criteria listed in the advert. If we receive a strong field of candidates, we may use the desirable criteria to choose our final shortlist, so please include your evidence against these where possible.

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