Group Strategy Director

Overview:

The client is a leading FTSE 100 business in the Media space with an international presence who are  looking for a high calibre Strategy individual to focus on business planning and delivering content-led programmes with the CSO.

Key Responsibilities: 

The Group Strategy Director reports directly to the Chief Strategy Officer. The main responsibilities for this role are:

• Leading Strategy planning processes across all divisions, establishing core links between various different departments and the strategy function.
• Leading the formulation of Group Strategy as the business comes to the end of the previous growth programme
• To support the formulation of Divisional strategies and aid with delivery
• To analyse business challenges and opportunities that emerge across the Group
• To develop M&A strategy and create integration plans of acquisition targets
• To support and occasionally lead strategy implementation projects across the Group.
• Develop an insights and analytics focus to the role

These responsibilities require the Group Strategy Director to create effective working relationships with the leadership team. These relationships are key to the success of the position.

The individual must be technically competent but also have the social skills to engage and challenge senior individuals as well as run processes independently. The role has not direct reports at present as the team is very lean but the individual may be required to hire further down the line.

This is a high-profile role in the organisation, so the Group Strategy Director must establish credibility which is demonstrable from the start as they partner the various other areas of the business.

Around half of the Group Strategy Director's time will be devoted to leading the development of the Business plan with each division. This an annual cycle begins in January and is presented to the Board in September. This entire process will be led by this individual as well as various other processes, however, the main responsibility concerns content. You will be expected to drive forward the strategic dialogue, specifically to do with critical issues.

Profile required:

• Excellent academics up to post-graduate level (MBA desirable)
• Tier 1 Strategy Consulting experience
• Corporate experience preferred, particularly in the Media/Tech space
• Strong analytical skills
• Proven experience of managing a planning process and portfolio analysis
• Capable of running a content-led strategic programme
• High EQ and ability to work effectively with different personalities
• Very 'hands on' and willing to get stuck in
• Strong influencing, negotiation and communication skills
• Strong networking skills and able to create good working relationships across the business