Head of Strategy and Business Planning

Location London or Milton Keynes (minimum of two days a week in the office. You can do more than two days if preferable)

Working model  We are Hybrid, two days a week working in the office and three days working from home.

Reporting to Strategy & Portfolio Director

Working hours Full time (9 day Fortnight companywide)

Contract type / duration Permanent

Band : 4.1

Salary : £68,890 to £79,386. Dependent on experience and location

Closing date 9am 8th May 2025

The Role

To lead and coordinate strategy development and Business Planning across CPC.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead market appraisal including identification of market barriers in CPC’s core innovation focus areas.
• Provide actionable market insight on Connected Places Catapult, define market focus areas and innovation themes in collaboration with Business Unit Leads​.
• Provide actionable internal insight based on our performance and impact data
• Advise on Business Unit’s strategic direction, by providing strategic assessment and horizon scanning on state of the market, including insight into penetrating a new geography, new business, new UK leading innovation ideas​.
• Facilitate the development of organisational ‘points-of-view' informing technology roadmaps (with relevant BUs), policy consultations (with Public Affairs), etc.
• Ensure appropriate information management of up-to-date supporting material (consistent bid / proposal material for innovation focus areas, case studies, etc).​
• Provide content for briefings aligned with the stakeholder engagement plan (signed off by BU lead or Managing Directors)​.
• Develop approach and content for producing the State of the Nation and annual report​.
• Own and prepare the annual strategy and business planning process and outputs, with all areas of CPC​, working in close partnership on design with Finance and Chief of Staff
• Drive the annual business planning cycle, working closely with all CPC Leads to produce inputs required to support the process​.
• Support Business Unit Directors in developing strategic initiatives and programmes through shaping and leading targeted strategy development projects
• Support Business Unit leads with strategic insight to assist them in securing opportunities across the innovation imperatives, coordinate strategic initiatives / programmes / projects where cross cutting or part of CPC’s internal research and development​.
• Work with Business Unit Leads and marketing colleagues to ensure pre-sales material and opportunities are strategically aligned.
• Ensure an ethos where equity, inclusivity and diversity underpin your work activity, contribute to inclusive innovation across all Catapult activities.
• You may be required to undertake any other reasonable duties to support the Catapult in achieving its strategic outcomes and ensure effective business operations.

Required Skills and Experience