Strategy and Planning Consultant

Overview

Our client is seeking a highly analytical and commercially minded Junior Director, Strategy & Planning to serve as a trusted advisor and execution partner to the CEO. This high-impact role sits at the intersection of strategy, business management, governance, and executive support, helping shape and deliver the organisation's strategic agenda while ensuring effective leadership, decision-making, and performance management.

Acting as a key liaison between regional and global leadership teams, the successful candidate will translate corporate strategy into actionable business plans, drive critical initiatives, support executive decision-making, and ensure alignment across senior stakeholders.

Location: Washington DC - 3 days per week

Start Date: ASAP

6 month W2 contract - moving into a permanent position

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Business Planning

• Partner with the CEO and senior leadership team to develop, refine, and execute the organisation's strategic priorities.
• Lead the annual business planning and budgeting process, collaborating with Finance and business leaders on targets, resource allocation, and investment planning.
• Conduct market, competitor, and industry analysis to identify growth opportunities, emerging trends, and strategic risks.
• Evaluate new business opportunities, products, partnerships, and market expansion initiatives through robust business case development and financial analysis.
• Prepare strategic recommendations, presentations, and reports for executive leadership and governance committees.

Executive & Chief of Staff Support

• Serve as a strategic thought partner to the CEO, helping prioritise key business and operational objectives.
• Prepare executive briefings, presentations, talking points, and materials for leadership meetings, client engagements, regulatory interactions, and external events.
• Coordinate leadership meetings, offsites, and management forums, including agenda management, minutes, action tracking, and follow-up.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration to ensure CEO-led initiatives are delivered on time and aligned across the organisation.
• Support executive communications, leadership updates, and organisational messaging.
• Manage confidential and sensitive matters with the highest levels of professionalism and discretion.

Governance, Regulatory & Risk Management

• Support the effective operation of management committees and governance forums.
• Coordinate activities relating to regulatory examinations, supervisory reviews, audits, and compliance initiatives.
• Monitor and track regulatory, audit, and control actions, ensuring timely remediation and escalation where required.
• Promote a strong risk and governance culture across strategic initiatives and business activities.
• Ensure all strategic plans and initiatives align with regulatory requirements and corporate policies.

Performance Management & Business Intelligence

• Develop and maintain executive dashboards and KPI reporting across financial, operational, client, risk, and people metrics.
• Track performance against strategic objectives and budgets, identifying trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Produce regular business performance updates for senior leadership and executive stakeholders.
• Partner with business intelligence and reporting teams to ensure data quality, consistency, and effective management information.

Strategic Initiatives & Transformation

• Lead and coordinate strategic transformation, efficiency, and change initiatives across the organisation.
• Support the evaluation and execution of business growth opportunities, partnerships, and strategic transactions.
• Manage project planning, governance, milestone tracking, and benefits realisation for key initiatives.
• Contribute to external engagement activities, industry events, client initiatives, and programmes that strengthen the organisation's market presence.

Key Stakeholders

Internal

• CEO and Executive Leadership Team
• Business Unit Leaders
• Finance, Risk, Compliance, Legal and Audit Teams
• Strategy, Planning and Business Intelligence Functions
• Regional and Global Leadership Teams

External

• Regulatory and supervisory bodies
• External auditors and professional advisers
• Strategic partners and industry associations
• Key clients and stakeholders

Required Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Business, Law, or a related discipline.
• Advanced qualifications such as MBA, CFA, CPA, JD, or equivalent are advantageous.
• 8-12 years of relevant experience within strategy, business management, Chief of Staff, corporate planning, consulting, or financial services environments.
• Previous experience within a Big Four consulting firm (Deloitte, PwC, EY, or KPMG) is highly desirable, particularly within Financial Services, Banking, Transaction Advisory, Corporate Finance, Due Diligence, Regulatory Advisory, or Strategy Consulting practices.
• Experience within banking, financial services, corporate banking, investment banking, or a regulated international organisation is preferred.
• Strong understanding of governance, regulatory frameworks, and executive-level decision-making processes.
• Demonstrated experience preparing executive and board-level presentations and supporting senior stakeholders.

Skills & Competencies

• Strategic Mindset: Ability to analyse complex business issues and translate insights into practical recommendations.
• Commercial Acumen: Strong understanding of business performance drivers and strategic growth opportunities.
• Financial & Analytical Expertise: Advanced financial modelling, business case development, and data analysis skills.
• Executive Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with experience creating high-quality executive materials.
• Stakeholder Management: Ability to build credibility and influence senior stakeholders across multiple functions and geographies.
• Project Execution: Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.
• Integrity & Discretion: High level of professionalism when handling confidential information and sensitive business matters.
• Global Perspective: Comfortable working within an international organisation and collaborating with stakeholders across regions and time zones.