Head of Strategy and Governance

As a trusted partner to our CEO, Finance Director and Senior Leadership Team, you will play a crucial role in shaping the future of UKCEH. You’ll bring insight, influence and strategic clarity, leading initiatives that turn ambition into measurable impact, and ensuring our organisation continues to thrive and evolve. With a blend of curiosity, confidence and collaboration, you’ll guide and energise teams across the organisation, helping to align our collective efforts and deliver on our shared mission objectives with purpose and precision.  

You’ll take the lead in tackling our most pressing and high-profile challenges, ensuring we stay ahead of emerging issues through decisive, agile leadership. You’ll bring a strong strategic vision and provide thought leadership, and by bridging critical gaps and streamlining internal governance, you will help drive organisational excellence and transformation. Working closely with our Strategy Delivery Manager on adapting UKCEH’s business model, you’ll ensure our structures, systems and people are positioned to deliver on our ambitions - enabling UKCEH to achieve even greater impact through its science.

There’s never been a more exciting time to join UKCEH. Our new five-year strategy, launched in 2024, has sparked a wave of energy and optimism across the organisation, ushering in a period of transformation and renewal. Alongside this, we’re unveiling a refreshed brand identity that reflects our ambition and purpose for the years ahead. This is an opportunity to contribute to a new chapter in UKCEH’s story: to help translate vision into action, foster innovation, and ensure that every part of the organisation is connected by a clear and purposeful ‘golden thread’ from strategy through to delivery, making a significant impact on 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 that demands both vision and dynamism. This role is instrumental in shaping and executing the institute’s strategic direction, ensuring our efforts align seamlessly with our mission to drive environmental research and influence global policy for a sustainable future.   

 We’re seeking a proactive, confident leader who thrives on taking initiative and driving progress. You’ll bring clarity and energy, communicating with impact and purpose. In this fast-paced environment, your ability to stay agile - reprioritising seamlessly, responding decisively, and remaining resilient under pressure - will set you apart. While you’re comfortable following direction when needed, you’ll also demonstrate the independence and confidence to lead with conviction.  

For the role of Head of Strategy and Governance, we’re looking for somebody who has:   

• Excellent strategic thinking and vision, with the ability to translate high-level strategy into actionable objectives across all levels of the organisation.  

• Strong leadership and coordination skills, particularly in areas requiring collaboration and thought-leadership across multiple teams. 

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and inspire both internal and external stakeholders, including engagement at executive and board level. 

• Enjoys working at pace to dive into the deeper issues our organisation faces in achieving our strategic objectives.   

• Ability to digest high volumes of information quickly and identify the pertinent points.   

• Adaptability, creativity, and foresight to ensure the strategy evolves in response to significant changes in the external environment 

• A degree and relevant work experience, OR has substantial experience in the fields of research, policy, or science communication, with a strong understanding of how science impacts and benefits society 

You’ll be joining a leading independent, not-for-profit research institute that’s committed to recruiting talented people like you, progressing your career and giving you the support you need to thrive at UKCEH. Our science makes a real difference, enabling people and the environment to prosper, and enriching society. We are the custodians of a wealth of environmental data, collected by UKCEH and its predecessors over the course of more than 60 years. 

Working for UKCEH is rewarding 

We appreciate the continuous dedication and contributions of our staff, which is why we provide a comprehensive benefits package that includes financial incentives and wellbeing-oriented perks, such as: 

• 27 days annual leave (rising to 29 days after 5 years’ service) plus 3 days for Christmas closure    

• 10% employer pension contribution   

• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements (role dependant)  

• Peer reward and recognition scheme  

• Dental insurance, gym/fitness discounts, retail discount portal 

• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave   

• 24-hour, 365-day support with physical, mental, social, health or financial issues and much more...  

Apply today! 

If this opportunity resonates with you and aligns with your personal career goals, the team would love to receive your application. Please apply by submitting your CV along with a covering letter that highlights any qualifications, skills or experience you believe are relevant to this role.  

At UKCEH, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace where everyone - regardless of background, identity, ability, or circumstance - has the opportunity to thrive. As a Disability Confident employer, we actively encourage applications from neurodivergent candidates and those with disabilities. We are happy to provide any adjustments or support you may need throughout the application process - please don’t hesitate to reach out. So, if you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every requirement, we’d love to hear from you anyway. You may be just the right fit for this role or another within our wider team. 

Please note:  

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role and this does not qualify for endorsement to support a Global Talent Visa application. If you are considering pursuing self-sponsorship, please indicate this in your application so we can take it into account during the recruitment process.