Senior Planning Officer (Strategy)

The Senior Planning Officer (Strategy) will help shape and coordinate strategic planning across the University, supporting the implementation of the University’s Strategic Plan and the committees that oversee planning activity. This is a role with broad institutional reach, providing the opportunity to contribute to strategic decision-making at the heart of the University.

Based in the Planning and Data Team within the Planning and Council Secretariat (PACS), you will coordinate the annual planning round for academic divisions and central services, support performance reporting, and contribute to strategic, financial and digital planning across University Administration and Services (UAS). You will bring together complex information and perspectives to support effective organisational planning and decision-making.

Working with senior academic and administrative colleagues across the University, you will provide high-quality analysis, advice and coordination on strategic and policy issues and act as Secretary to key University committees. You will also have the autonomy to lead planning improvement projects and initiatives, combining independent responsibility with extensive collaboration. Reporting to the Head of Planning, the role offers significant exposure to senior University officers and a broad perspective on the University’s activities, priorities and strategic direction.

About you

You will have a degree or equivalent experience and be able to demonstrate:

• very strong intellectual, numerical and analytical skills, including the ability to analyse and use financial and performance data;
• substantial experience of strategic and organisational planning within a complex organisation;
• experience of working across professional disciplines, such as finance, change, estates and academic planning, to bring together complex inputs and produce coherent analysis that informs organisational planning;
• experience of understanding and delivering complex business intelligence requirements, including performance management;
• excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build trust and confidence, influence and persuade, and manage relationships with multiple stakeholder groups;
• excellent written and oral communication skills, including presenting complex information to formal groups and producing clear, concise and well-structured committee papers;
• experience of managing and motivating professional colleagues to deliver complex work accurately within tight deadlines; and
• strong strategic thinking and organisational skills, with the ability to work proactively and independently, manage competing priorities and collaborate effectively with colleagues at all levels.

Application Process

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Kristoffer Tiffen, Senior Assistant Registrar (Planning), at Kristoffer.tiffen@admin.ox.ac.uk.

To apply, please upload a supporting statement setting out how you meet the selection criteria, your CV, and the names and contact details of two referees.

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Monday, 5 October 2026.

Interviews will be held during w/c 19 October 2026.

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