Director of Strategic Planning and Performance

University of Sussex

Director of Strategic Planning and Performance

Competitive remuneration and benefits

The University of Sussex received its Royal Charter in 1961 and immediately set about offering an alternative to the traditional higher education landscape. From the very start, Sussex was intended to be a new kind of university: challenging convention and fostering critical thinking. Today, our courses, research and culture aim to stimulate, excite, and challenge. From scientific discovery to global policy, from student welfare to career development, Sussex innovates and takes a lead.

Now in our 63rd year, we have grown to around 18,000 students, and we have established a global reputation. We are ranked 31st in the UK and joint 246th overall in the latest QS World University Rankings 2025, with 10 subjects listed within the UK top 20 QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024 and Development Studies ranked first in the world for the eight consecutive year, reflecting the radically global orientation of our research and education. Given our strong institutional commitment to environmental sustainability, we are also very pleased to be recognised as the 8th most sustainable university in the UK in the QS World University Rankings 2025.

We are now seeking to appoint the Director of Strategic Planning and Performance. Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer and working closely with the Vice Chancellor, Deputy Vice Chancellor, and Chief Operating Officer, the Director will lead the University’s strategic and operational planning processes, ensuring that our plans are aligned with the University’s strategy and support our financial priorities and objectives. The role includes oversight and coordination of institutional data, management information, and business intelligence, including competitor analysis, ensuring a robust approach to data governance and enabling evidence-based decision making across the University.

The Director will leverage both internal and external sources to generate robust data, insightful analysis, and comprehensive business intelligence. They will support decision-making and shape strategic and operational plans, enabling the University to make evidence-based decisions that secure our future success and allow us to assess and enhance our operational performance.

We are seeking to appoint a candidate with extensive experience in strategic planning, performance management and data analysis, in higher education or a related sector. The successful candidate will have contributed to the development of strategy, planning at policy at institutional level and will have the ability to influence senior colleagues and operate in a dynamic environment.

This is a critical role that will shape the trajectory of Sussex in the years to come, and an exciting time to join the University as we seek to build on the significant successes of recent years.

The closing date for applications is noon on Friday 27^th September 2024.

Along with your application, please download, complete, and submit the University of Sussex’s Personal Data-Equal Opps Form.

The University of Sussex values the diversity of its staff and students, and we welcome applications from all backgrounds and particularly from people who identify as being from underrepresented backgrounds.