Head of Strategy
Shape the future of SettleParadigm. Leading our Corporate Plan, ESG reporting and strategic framework to deliver better outcomes for residents and communities.
Location: High Wycombe & Letchworth / Hybrid working (2 days per week in the office, 3 days from home) Salary: £65,432 per annum.
Are you looking to join a growing, values-led organisation with a clear social purpose?
At SettleParadigm, we’re proud to be the largest housing group in the region, managing over 27,000 homes across Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, and Hertfordshire.
Everything we do is about delivering excellent services, high quality homes, neighbourhoods we can be proud of and maximising number of new affordable homes we build. Through our merger we’ve brought together shared values, skills and ambition, so we can build more affordable homes and make an even bigger difference in the communities we serve
If you're ready to grow your career in a supportive, inclusive environment while helping to shape stronger communities, we’d love to welcome you on our journey. Together, we’re building a better future.
As our new Head of Strategy, you’ll play a pivotal role in defining that future - ensuring our ambitions, priorities and long‑term plans translate into meaningful outcomes for residents, colleagues and communities.
This is a high‑impact, organisation‑wide role where you’ll lead the development and review of our Corporate Plan and associated strategies. You’ll ensure our strategic framework is clear, coherent and aligned with our service design, integration roadmap and long‑term change portfolio. Working closely with Finance, Data and the PMO, you’ll help drive annual business planning and quarterly reviews, connecting strategic priorities with budgets, KPIs and delivery plans.
You’ll also lead our ESG reporting, provide research and insight into sector trends to inform strategy, and act as a critical friend to senior leaders, helping turn strategic intent into practical, measurable action. If you’re passionate about shaping services, driving improvement and influencing decisions at the highest level, this is a rare opportunity to make a lasting impact.
About the Role/team
You’ll join our Strategy & Policy team at an exciting moment in our journey as SettleParadigm. Following our merger, we’re bringing together shared values, skills and ambition to build more affordable homes and deliver excellent services for our communities.
In this role, you’ll work closely with senior leaders, the Executive Board, Finance, PMO, Data & Performance teams, and external partners. You’ll help maintain a clear, coherent strategic framework that guides decision‑making across the organisation and underpins our three‑year roadmap.
This is a highly collaborative role where you’ll influence, challenge and support colleagues across the business - ensuring our strategies are evidence‑based, financially aligned and grounded in what matters most to residents.
Key Responsibilities
Manage the strategic framework, including the Corporate Plan and associated strategies
Support the Director of Strategy & Policy in shaping and reviewing the Corporate Plan
Engage colleagues, residents and stakeholders through inclusive consultation
Ensure alignment between strategic objectives, service design and the change roadmap
Maintain the three‑year roadmap with the PMO, distinguishing “run the business” vs “change the business” activity
Prepare high‑quality reports for the Board, Committees and Executive team
Draft and coordinate the annual ESG report, ensuring accuracy and compliance
Strengthen ESG reporting frameworks and embed ESG into wider strategy updates
Conduct research into best practice, sector trends and emerging risks
Provide actionable insights to inform strategic and operational decisions
Act as a critical friend to senior leaders, supporting translation of strategy into delivery
Align strategy with KPIs, performance frameworks and financial planning
Support development of tools and frameworks that embed strategic thinking across the organisation
What We’re Looking For
Must haves:
Significant experience in strategic planning and corporate performance management
Proven experience coordinating annual business planning and quarterly reviews
Strong understanding of corporate planning frameworks, governance and KPIs
Knowledge of ESG reporting requirements and sustainable finance principles
Excellent analytical and research skills
Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
Strong facilitation and engagement skills
Ability to distinguish and plan “run the business” vs “change the business” activity
High‑level organisational and project management skills
Degree‑level education or equivalent experience
Nice to haves:
Experience integrating ESG reporting
Experience working with PMO and Finance teams
Understanding of social housing sector context and regulatory environment
Ability to design and embed strategic frameworks and tools
Advanced data interpretation and performance analysis skills
Strategic or service design‑related certification
For added brilliance:
A collaborative, confident communicator who can challenge constructively
Passion for improving services and outcomes for residents
Ability to turn complex information into clear, actionable insight
Curiosity, creativity and a commitment to continuous improvement
Benefits
At SettleParadigm, we believe in creating an environment where our people feel valued, supported and inspired to grow. Our comprehensive benefits and rewards package reflects this commitment.
Annual salary: £65,432 per annum
25 days holiday, increasing with service, plus Christmas closure and buy options
Generous pension scheme – up to 9.5% employer contribution via salary sacrifice
Family‑friendly leave: Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
Health cash plan – claim up to £1,800 for everyday health costs (plus free kids’ cover)
Life cover and income protection
Hybrid working – modern offices, free parking & EV charging
And that’s just the beginning:
30+ qualified Mental Health First Aiders
Car leasing via salary sacrifice (for permanent colleagues)
Funded training, qualifications & apprenticeships
3 paid volunteering days
Peer‑recognition rewards platform
Paid professional subscription (one per year)
Working Hours
Hours: 37 hours per week, Monday – Friday
09:00 - 17:30 Monday - Thursday, 09:00 - 17:00 on Friday's.
Hybrid working: 2 days per week in the office (with travel to our High Wycombe & Letchworth offices), 3 days from home
Occasional travel across our operating area
Our Commitment
We are committed to creating an inclusive workforce, by reflecting and representing the diversity of the communities we serve. We would like to encourage applications from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds; people who identify as disabled, neurodiverse, members of the LGBTQ+ community and people from underrepresented groups.
Accessibility and Adjustments
We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we’ll always endeavour to be as accommodating as possible. Please let us know in advance of any suitable arrangements required.
Due to the nature of some of our roles involving work with vulnerable members of society, this post may be subject to a basic or enhanced Criminal Disclosure, which will be carried out when a conditional offer is made.
Please ensure you fully answer the questions on the application form.
Closing Date: Monday, 19th January 2026.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the closing date should we find a suitable candidate.
- Department
- Strategy & Business Services
- Locations
- High Wycombe
- Remote status
- Hybrid
- Yearly salary
- £65,432
- Employment type
- Full-time
About SettleParadigm
We are a growing, values-driven organisation with a clear social purpose.
Our commitment is long-term: to our colleagues, residents, and communities. We want to be a place where people love to work, where everyone can belong, and where professionalism and passion shine through in everything we do. If you’d like to make a real difference to people’s lives while developing your career in a supportive and inclusive environment, we’d love to hear from you!
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