[Hiring] Senior Strategic Initiatives Lead @Plan International

Role Description

The Senior Strategic Initiatives Lead will provide senior-level strategic, analytical and delivery capacity to the Executive Office and the Leadership Team. The role will lead and support a defined portfolio of priority initiatives, with an initial focus on global strategy extension and reframing, future strategy development approach, governance/stakeholder engagement required, and other cross-organisational priorities requiring dedicated senior attention.

This is a fixed-term role designed to provide additional capacity during a critical transition period. The role will not replace functional ownership or existing leadership accountabilities, but will work across teams to connect work, strengthen coherence, develop high-quality strategic outputs, and support timely decision-making.

Dimensions of the Role

• Lead or coordinate a portfolio of time-bound strategic initiatives on behalf of the CEO and Executive Office.
• Support Leadership Team strategic coherence across major organisational change initiatives, including strategy, operating model, financial sustainability and leadership priorities.
• Drive the development of key strategic outputs, papers, engagement materials and decision products for senior leadership and governance audiences.
• Support the CEO and Chief of Staff in preparing complex issues for Leadership Team, International Board, Members’ Assembly and other senior forums.
• Work across Leadership Team functions, regions, National Organisations and Country Offices to gather insight, test thinking and support alignment.
• Ensure that strategy-related processes are efficient, inclusive, proportionate and responsive to the external environment.
• Bring external insight, peer benchmarking and sector practice into internal strategic thinking and process design.

Accountabilities

• Lead priority strategic initiatives for the CEO and Executive Office.
• Strengthen strategic coherence, engagement and decision-making.
• Contribute to Executive Office effectiveness.

Indicative Deliverables

• Global strategy extension decision pathway.
• Future global strategy development approach.
• Other strategic initiatives.

Technical Expertise, Skills and Knowledge Required

Essential

• Solid experience in strategy, organisational transformation, policy, executive advisory or senior programme/business leadership roles.
• Strong understanding of international development, humanitarian affairs, global civil society or federated international organisations.
• Proven ability to lead complex, cross-organisational strategic initiatives from concept through to decision and delivery.
• Strong analytical and synthesis skills, with the ability to translate complex information into clear options, recommendations and decision products.
• Experience developing strategy papers, board materials, executive briefings, options papers or organisational guidance documents.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Strong understanding of governance processes, stakeholder engagement and senior decision-making in complex organisations.
• Strong facilitation and engagement skills, including the ability to design focused and efficient consultation or input processes.
• Ability to connect strategic, operational, financial and organisational considerations into coherent advice.
• Ability to work at pace, manage ambiguity and exercise sound judgement in a high-pressure environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills, diplomacy and discretion, with the confidence to work effectively with senior leaders.

Desirable

• Experience in global strategy development, strategy refresh or organisational planning processes.
• Experience working in a complex, networked, and multi-entity international organisation.
• Familiarity with peer benchmarking, foresight, digital engagement or AI-enabled synthesis tools.
• Experience with operating model change, financial sustainability or organisational transformation initiatives.
• Understanding of feminist leadership, anti-racism, localisation, youth participation and power-shift agendas.
• French, Spanish or Arabic language skills.

Location

The location of this role can be flexible where Plan International has an office that can employ on behalf of the Global Hub and you have the pre-existing right to work and live. Working hours that align with the UTC timezone are preferred.

Type of Role

Fixed term 12 – 18 months

Reports to

Chief of Staff (with close day-to-day collaboration with the CEO)

Closing Date

Monday 17 August 2026 at 23.59pm UK