Our vision is that by 2030, Nesta will have significantly improved the lives of millions of people by designing, testing and scaling new solutions to society’s biggest challenges.
We have chosen to focus on three guiding missions – helping to bring about ‘a fairer start’ (narrowing the outcome gap between young children growing up in disadvantage and the national average), ‘a healthy life’ (increasing the average number of healthy years lived, while narrowing health inequalities), and ‘a sustainable future’ (reducing household carbon emissions and improving levels of economic productivity).
In each of these areas, we will partner with frontline organisations to generate and rigorously evaluate new interventions, and support their widespread adoption. We will support the creation of new products and ventures, and shape the system as a whole to support innovation.
Working with a range of delivery partners, we will deploy multi-disciplinary teams that bring together capabilities in design, data science, behavioural insights, experimental research, and arts and culture methods. We believe that by bringing together innovation methods to design, experiment, rigorously evaluate, and scale innovations, we can be a world leader in driving innovation for social good.
The role
Are you an analytical, collaborative and influential individual with extensive experience in organisational strategy gained in a rigorous environment? Are you an inspiring team leader with a passion for innovation and a deep motivation at the potential of having a positive impact on millions of lives? If so, Nesta is looking for a Head of Strategy to play an important senior role in helping us deliver on our strategic intent and, over time, adjust it.
Key roles and responsibilities
With Nesta’s ambitious new strategy ready to be delivered, this pivotal role will see our Head of Strategy, under the guidance of the Chief Strategy Officer, focus on developing a high-performing team and defining the purpose and scope of the team’s work, with a well-prioritised pipeline of high-impact projects that ladder up to a clear and impactful overall agenda. You and your team will take on, define and deliver individual pieces of work to further the delivery of Nesta’s strategy, while also progressively building and sharing a bigger-picture view on Nesta’s progress against its goals. You will also:
- Define a problem-solving method for the Strategy Unit and coach others in the team and the wider organisation
- Establish strong, collaborative relationships at all organisational levels and lead others to do the same
- Regularly shape and engage in discussions with relevant Nesta leaders to progress critical pieces of work
- Ensure the Unit’s work draws sufficiently on relevant expertise within and outside Nesta
- Recruit, develop and retain great people and support them to perform at their best
- Play a major role in shaping and running the process for future strategy refreshes
Experience and skills
You will have extensive experience leading work on strategy delivery and/or strategy creation at organisational/ top-team level, either through management consultancy, or through an internal strategy role with leadership dimensions. You will also have led others successfully on strategy projects, helping them prioritise work, coaching them as needed on a day-to-day basis and ensuring high quality outputs.
You will be an impressive communicator, with the ability to deliver high-quality written and verbal outputs and to synthesise complex issues into clear, simple and concise messages for a senior audience. A successful track record in managing and developing people is essential, as are outstanding problem-solving, analytical and prioritisation skills.