Head of Strategy and Planning

Role overview

The Academy of Medical Sciences is seeking a Head of Strategy and Planning to provide organisation-wide leadership in strategic thinking, prioritisation and planning. This post is responsible for shaping and maintaining the Academy’s strategic framework and planning approach so that ambitions are clearly defined, grounded in evidence, affordable and achievable.

Working closely with the Chief Operating Officer and senior leaders, you will help the organisation make well-informed decisions, balance competing priorities and direct resources towards the areas with the greatest impact. This position is not focused on day-to-day operations; instead, it supports strong delivery through robust planning, insight and performance systems.

This is a permanent role based in London, UK, with hybrid working and 50% office attendance. The post is 37.5 hours per week and carries a salary of £84,080.

Strategic direction

• Guide the creation and ongoing development of a clear, ambitious strategy that strengthens AMS as a significant voice in UK and global medical science.
• Build and maintain organisation-wide strategic and business planning processes that support prioritisation, coordinated execution and alignment across all directorates.
• Bring together UK and international priorities within one strategic framework so the Academy both influences and responds to developments at home and abroad.
• Lead thoughtful strategic discussions with senior leaders, offering structure, creativity, evidence and practical options for complex decisions.

Partnerships, influence and strategic engagement

• Create and sustain strong partnerships across the health, science, research and innovation landscape, including government, funders, industry, academia, learned societies, the NHS, international organisations and philanthropic bodies.
• Develop a deep understanding of the Academy’s stakeholder environment so the organisation is clear about its key partners, their priorities and the best ways to work with them.
• Strengthen AMS’s position as a convener and connector by spotting opportunities for cross-sector collaboration, joint influence and wider system impact in the UK and internationally.
• Represent the Academy externally as a strategic ambassador and ensure insights from outside the organisation feed back into internal decision-making.

Governance and decision-making infrastructure

• Lead all governance activity for the Academy, ensuring Council and its committees are supported to function effectively, efficiently and strategically.
• Make sure the right matters reach Council at the right time by managing forward planning, agenda setting and the sequencing of decisions so governance bodies can provide genuine oversight.
• Oversee the production of high-quality papers and briefings that enable rigorous, insight-led decision-making by Council, committees and the Executive.
• Improve governance as a strategic capability by ensuring board and committee structures, cycles and information flows support accountability, clarity and long-term stewardship.

Planning and programme oversight

• Run a strong planning function that provides visibility across the Academy and coordinates major strategic programmes.
• Introduce consistent standards for project, programme and portfolio management so strategic work is sequenced properly, risks are managed and activity stays aligned to organisational priorities.
• Deliver clear, practical reporting for the Executive and Council to support effective oversight and timely decisions.

Funding and resource alignment

• Develop strategic relationships with existing and prospective funders, looking for opportunities where aligned investment can accelerate AMS’s mission and shared objectives.
• Help secure funding by shaping persuasive strategic proposals that reflect both organisational needs and funder interests.
• Work with Finance and Fundraising to ensure strategic plans are backed by sustainable income models and long-term financial assumptions.
• Identify funding shortfalls, capacity limits and resourcing risks so leaders and Council can make informed choices.

Horizon scanning and external context

• Track and interpret key external developments across science, policy, geopolitics, funding, regulation and technology in the UK and internationally.
• Keep the Academy’s strategy forward-looking and globally informed so it can anticipate change, capture new opportunities and reduce strategic risk.
• Turn horizon scanning into practical strategic insight that helps leaders and governance groups steer the organisation with confidence.

Leadership and executive support

• Lead and develop the team so strategic planning, international insight, planning, governance support and the CEO’s office work together as one high-performing unit.
• Partner with directors and colleagues across the Academy to keep the organisation aligned while maintaining clear operational accountability.
• Promote strategic discipline, prioritisation and organisational focus so the Academy stays centred on the most important work.

Additional information

Applications close at 2pm on 31 July 2026. Interviews are expected to take place online during the week commencing 10 August 2026. For questions about the vacancy, contact James Lawrence at james.lawrence@acmedsci.ac.uk.

Terms and conditions

Role duration: Permanent. Working hours: 37.5 hours per week. Location: London, UK, with hybrid working and 50% office attendance.

Requirements

The Academy is looking for a strategic leader with substantial experience in setting organisational direction and running effective strategic and business planning.

You should have a strong record of building influential external partnerships across government, funders, industry, academia, NHS bodies and international organisations, and be comfortable acting as a credible ambassador and convener.

Experience in governance and decision-support is important, including setting agendas, preparing strong papers and enabling effective oversight by boards or committees.

You will need solid analytical judgement, with the ability to bring together complex evidence, assess risks and present clear strategic choices.

Experience of leading planning or programme functions is essential, particularly where work must be aligned, sequenced carefully and managed with risk in mind.

Financial understanding is required, along with the ability to connect resources to strategic priorities and engage with funders.

You should also be an excellent communicator and collaborator, able to influence senior leaders and lead high-performing teams.

Benefits

• Competitive pay and pension provision
• 26 days of annual leave plus public holidays
• The choice to purchase additional leave or sell part of your entitlement
• Extra paid closure between Christmas and New Year
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• Health, wellbeing and employee support initiatives
• Cycle-to-work scheme and other everyday benefits
• Structured learning and professional development
• Improved maternity, adoption and paternity leave
• Enhanced occupational sick pay

Additional enhanced benefits are available after probation is completed.