Head of Strategy and Governance

At UKCEH, we’re entering an exciting new chapter, and we’re seeking a motivated and collaborative Head of Strategy and Governance (12-month maternity cover) to help shape what comes next. You’ll ensure our strategy and governance drive real impact as we work to make the world a better place through our science.  As a trusted partner to our CEO, Finance Director and Senior Leadership Team, you will play a key role in shaping UKCEH’s future. You’ll bring insight, influence and strategic clarity, leading initiatives that turn ambition into measurable impact. With curiosity, confidence and collaboration, you’ll energise teams across the organisation, aligning efforts to deliver our mission with clarity and purpose.

You’ll lead on addressing our most pressing organisational challenges, staying ahead of emerging issues through decisive and agile leadership. With strong strategic vision and thought leadership, you will bridge critical gaps, streamline governance, and drive organisational excellence. Working closely with our Strategy Delivery Manager on business model development, you’ll help ensure our structures, systems, and people are aligned to deliver our ambitions and increase the impact of our science.

This is an exciting moment to join UKCEH. Our new five-year strategy, launched in 2024, has created momentum across the organisation, signalling a period of transformation and renewal. Alongside this, our refreshed brand identity reflects our strengthened ambition. This role offers the chance to help turn vision into action, foster innovation, and connect the organisation through a clear and purposeful ‘golden thread’ from strategy to delivery, shaping the future of environmental science.

Your main responsibilities will include:   

• Ensure the strategy is delivered by the organisation including co-leading the programme to evolve the organisational business model. 
• Lead multi-year business planning such that we maintain a ‘golden thread’ from strategy down to individuals’ objectives  
• Provide strategic leadership on key areas of the strategy where coordination and thought-leadership are needed e.g. the environment and economic growth,  
• Ensure the strategy adapts to major changes in the wider world.  
• Strategic oversight of UKCEH’s governance to ensure the correct structures and processes to support delivery, including the role of the Executive Leadership team and the Board of Trustees 
• Line management of the Executive Assistant for Governance 

The Head of Strategy and Governance is a critical leadership role requiring both vision and dynamism. It is instrumental in shaping and delivering the institute’s strategic direction, ensuring our work aligns with our mission to advance environmental research and influence global policy for a sustainable future. We’re seeking a proactive, confident leader who thrives on driving progress. You’ll bring clarity and expertise, communicating with impact and purpose. In this fast-paced environment, your agility - reprioritising smoothly, responding decisively, and staying resilient under pressure - will set you apart. While comfortable following direction when needed, you’ll also show the independence and confidence to lead with conviction.

We’re looking for somebody who has:  

• Strong strategic thinking, with the ability to turn high-level goals into clear actions.
• Effective leadership and coordination skills across multiple teams.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, including confidence engaging stakeholders up to board level.
• The ability to work at pace and tackle complex organisational issues.
• The ability to absorb information quickly and extract key insights.
• Adaptability and forward-looking judgement, responsive to external change.
• A relevant degree or substantial experience in research, policy, or science communication, with an understanding of science’s societal impact.

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