Director of Strategic Planning & Performance

Competitive Salary and Package

The University of Leeds is one of the UK’s largest higher education institutions, renowned globally for the quality of its teaching and research. We encourage enquiry, discovery, and achievement by bringing together academic excellence and an inspirational learning environment. Our ambitions are underpinned by an outstanding community of staff and students, a world-class campus and a strong financial position. The University also plays a key role at the heart of one of the UK’s most economically vibrant and compassionate cities, and takes its economic, social, environmental and cultural responsibilities very seriously.

Under the leadership of our Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Simone Buitendijk, our University Strategy 2020-2030: Universal Values, Global Change provides a blueprint for a values-driven university. We will harness our expertise in research and education to help shape a better future for humanity, working through collaboration to tackle inequalities, achieve societal impact and drive change in genuinely distinctive and transformational ways.

Reporting to Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Hai-Sui Yu, our new Director of Strategic Planning and Performance will lead our approach to planning, insight and performance, directing the teams responsible for enabling and measuring the delivery of the University Strategy and ensuring it is underpinned by reliable and robust business intelligence and a sound understanding of the changing external landscape. Supported by a large, high-performing team, the Director will be a high-profile position and key to the future success of the University, driving performance and impact, enhancing cross-University collaborative working, improving management decision-making, maximising performance and optimising our overall position.

They also will play a key role in ensuring that the annual University-wide Integrated Planning Exercise identifies and develops the appropriate plans, actions and resources to achieve our institutional KPIs and broader objectives.

The successful candidate will have a proven track record of leading and developing planning and performance processes in a relevant environment. Whilst previous higher education experience is not essential, candidates will bring strong analytical skills along with significant team leadership experience and the ability to influence and engage at the most senior level. Experience of horizon-scanning, data management, governance and strategic business planning will be essential, as will experience of major change programmes within a large and complex organisation.

Closing date is noon, Monday 21 August 2023.

We are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, Black, Asian and ethnically diverse people; people who identify as LGBT+; and people with disabilities. Candidates will always be selected based on merit and ability.

We recognise the benefits and importance of an environment that supports flexible working and are open to conversations about this throughout the application process.