Head of Strategic Delivery
Application Deadline: 7 June 2026
Department: Strategy Impact & Planning
Employment Type: Permanent
Location: Home based / with some regional travel
Compensation: £59,576 – £70,089 / year
Description
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) is looking for an experienced and strategic Head of Strategic Delivery to ensure our organisational strategy is translated into clear, prioritised, and effective delivery across the charity. This is a critical leadership role responsible for overseeing strategic planning, portfolio governance, and delivery performance.
Working closely with senior leaders and Trustees, you will bring structure, clarity, and pace to delivery. You will lead and develop a team of Project Managers, embed consistent programme and portfolio management frameworks, and drive high standards of performance, accountability, and continuous improvement across the organisation.
Strategy & Portfolio Planning
- Lead organisation-wide delivery planning aligned to DofE strategy
- Manage annual and multi-year planning, balancing priorities, demand, and capacity
- Maintain a clear, realistic pipeline of strategic initiatives
Portfolio & Programme Governance (PMO)
- Embed consistent portfolio and programme management frameworks
- Oversee delivery quality, pace, risks, dependencies, and benefits
- Lead and develop the Project Management team
Performance & Effectiveness
- Establish performance measures, benchmarks, and improvement targets
- Use data and insight to inform prioritisation and decision-making
Governance & Reporting
- Deliver clear reporting to the Executive Team and Trustees
- Ensure visibility and ownership of risks, issues, and decisions
- Support or chair programme boards
Leadership & Capability
- Build delivery and change capability across the charity
- Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture
- Role model DofE values and leadership behaviours
What we are looking for:
- Significant senior leadership experience in translating strategy into delivery
- Can demonstrate a proven track record of leading portfolio-level planning and prioritisation
- Extensive knowledge of managing and developing programme/project management teams
- Strong understanding of governance, with experience reporting to Executive Teams and/or Trustees
- Strong understanding of working alongside financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting processes
- Ability to influence and operate confidently within complex organisations
Benefits
We offer excellent staff benefits including a generous pension contribution, an employee assistance programme, healthcare cash plan and volunteer leave. Also, 25 days holiday, plus Bank Holidays and an additional 3 days paid leave between Christmas and the New Year. Buy additional annual leave, benefits discount website, death in service benefit 4 x salary, incapacity benefit, generous family leave and sick leave.
The DofE are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people. All successful applicants will be required to undergo an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. (e.g. DBS/PVG or similar), including references covering any gaps of employment/education, confirm eligibility to work in the UK and complete a health check.
**The geographical allowance is based on a member of staff having a home or office-based postcode within 30 miles (as the crow flies) from Charing Cross, WC2N 5HS. The allowance is 7% capped at £4,000 per annum.**
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