Appointment of the Head of Business Planning & Insights

Southampton Solent University

Welcome

Welcome to Southampton Solent University

Thank you for your interest in joining Solent University – a modern, ambitious and inclusive institution at an exciting point in its development. With a strong track record of innovation and creativity, Solent has grown into one of the UK’s leading modern universities. Our roots in Southampton stretch back over a century, and we are proud of our deeply embedded ties to the city, the Solent region, and an ever-growing international community.

We place our students at the heart of everything we do. With more than 7,600 students, Solent has been recognised with triple Gold ratings in the Teaching Excellence Framework – a distinction that places us among a select group of institutions nationally. This award is a powerful endorsement of our distinctive, real-world approach to learning, and of the way we work with each student to meet their individual needs and ambitions.

While our heritage in the region is long-standing, we are a young and evolving university – and the decade ahead presents a vital opportunity to redefine and shape our institutional identity. That ambition is captured in our Strategy 2035, which positions Solent as a “diffusion engine” of intellectual and social innovation, committed to widening access, enhancing outcomes, and supporting economic, cultural and community development both locally and globally.

As Head of Business Planning & Insights, you will play a central role in delivering this vision. This is a high-profile leadership position at the heart of the University’s strategic decision-making. You will lead a team responsible for delivering forward-looking planning, performance monitoring, and data-driven insight to support our Executive and wider community. Crucially, you will be the guardian of the performance framework for Strategy 2035 – shaping and tracking the metrics that underpin our progress across priorities such as widening participation, expanding our flexible and global education offer, building research capacity, and reimagining our physical estate to support interdisciplinary learning.

Your expertise in strategic insight and planning will support senior leaders in navigating complexity, identifying opportunities, and making evidence-based decisions that enhance the student experience, build institutional resilience, and drive long-term success. We are seeking someone who brings a sharp analytical mind, a collaborative leadership style, and the ability to influence at all levels across a dynamic and multifaceted organisation.

We are proud of our culture of innovation, values-led leadership, and practical impact. If you share our ambition and want to be part of shaping the next chapter in Solent’s journey, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Andrew Bird
Chief Marketing Officer

About us

Skills. Experience. Connections. Knowledge. For a future full of possibilities.

Solent University is all about creating opportunities: for its students, for its staff, for its partners. It offers expertise and experiences you couldn’t get anywhere else, opening doors and making introductions.

We’re focused on the practical side of higher education – giving our students the connections, experience and confidence to turn their newfound knowledge into a career with real, meaningful impact. Whoever you are, whatever your goals, we want to help you make your mark.

We are dedicated to the pursuit of university education that enables learners from all backgrounds to become enterprising citizens and responsible leaders. We are committed to promoting economic and social prosperity for the communities we serve.

Put simply – we want Solent graduates to be the passionate, creative professionals of the future, bringing expertise and energy into their communities and workplaces.

To view our 2035 Strategy Ready for the Future please click here.

For facts and figures about the University please click here.

Click here for more information on the University and here to view our organisational chart.

Click here to listen to Justine Greening’s podcast, part of her Fit for Purpose Coalition, where she interviews Solent’s Vice-Chancellor on our commitment to social mobility and innovation.

Life in Southampton

Southampton is a city with something for everyone. From the hustle and bustle of the city centre to the laid back atmosphere of Ocean Village, Southampton’s variety makes it a thriving University environment.

The city is home to many great entertainment venues, and is a regular stop on nationwide concert and theatre tours. The city centre features several museums, ranging from the city’s involvement in pivotal sea and air conflicts to its rich medieval history.

Southampton’s residents also enjoy access to a range of sporting venues, art galleries and spas and the city itself is only a short distance from some of the best countryside the South has to offer.

The city is also conveniently located only 75 miles away from London and has excellent transport links, with Southampton Airport and Southampton Central Station only a few minutes away.

The role

Head of Business Planning & Insights (AQ3231)

Apply now

Terms of appointment

  • Grade 10 – £64,914 – £75,241.
  • 30 days holiday per annum, plus 3 wellbeing days, 8 bank holidays, 1 development day and Christmas closure.
  • Solent pension scheme (DC scheme), though transfer of existing sector pension may be possible.
  • Five times life assurance.
  • 5% management bonus.
  • Relocation assistance scheme (subject to eligibility).

We offer a range of workplace benefits, including:

  • Interest free travel loans
  • Access to our Cycle to Work scheme on an approved salary sacrifice basis which means you can make savings whilst keeping fit and helping the environment.
  • On-site gym, sporting facilities and a range of wellbeing initiatives.
  • Amazing discounts on a range of services including healthcare, insurance and independent financial and legal advice.

Equality & Diversity

At Solent, we don’t just accept difference, we celebrate it and support it, for the benefit of our people, our students, staff and our community.

The University’s equality objectives are integral in promoting and achieving fair treatment and equality for all and as part of this, we aim to foster a community with a culture of transparency, mutual trust and respect devoid of hatred and intolerance.

University staff can join our LGBT+ staff network – a supportive social group for employees who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, non-binary, or are questioning their sexuality or gender identity. This group also supports many events both on-campus and in the local community, including the Human Library and Southampton Pride.

Solent also has a well-established Equality and Wellbeing committee, made up of students and staff, to proactively assist us in providing an excellent people experience underpinned by our values, and our genuine commitment to equality, diversity and inclusivity, irrespective of personal or protected characteristics.

This committee plays a key role in ensuring equality and diversity across the University, and leads on wellbeing initiatives, such as the introduction of our Mental Health and Wellbeing vision for both staff and students, launched earlier this year.

We believe that all our people should be treated fairly, regardless of their age, ethnicity, beliefs, sexual orientation, or gender. As part of this, Solent University is committed to continuing to work on closing the gender pay gap and is in the process of creating an updated action plan to determine the necessary steps to make this happen.

How to apply

Anderson Quigley is acting as an employment advisor to Solent University, Southampton. An executive search process is being carried out by Anderson Quigley in addition to the public advertisement.

Should you wish to discuss the role in strict confidence, please contact ed.pritchard@andersonquigley.com or +44 (0)7980 817 927.

The closing date for applications is noon on Wednesday 11 June 2025

Applications should consist of:

  • A full CV.
  • A covering letter setting out your interest in the role and details of how you match the criteria outlined in the person criteria.
  • Details of two referees, though please note that we will not approach your referees without your prior consent and only should you be shortlisted.

Timetable - TBC

Closing date Noon, Wednesday 11 June 2025
Final Interviews Thursday 3 July