Head of Planning

The Role
Working closely with the Rural Management and Operational Executive teams and the Heads of Rural Teams across the UK to manage and develop the Rural Planning business. Establish new clients and develop existing relationships to generate maximum fee earning instructions and position the Strutt & Parker brand as a pivotal influencer and advisor in the market.

Key deliverables

• Achieve personal financial targets and budget, maximise gross profit and provide accurate monthly forecasts.
• Build profitable relationships with clients. Look for opportunities to engage at all fee earning interface points within Strutt & Parker.
• Ensure delivery of timely and high quality advice and transactions to major clients.
• Provide market advice and updates via meetings and more formal presentations to major and prospective clients as part of the wider Strutt & Parker business.
• Guide the Research team on the outputs that will give the business a leading edge over competitors
• Take a leading role in the business and commit to measurable annual targets in new business and for cross-selling outside the business line.
• Be a figurehead for the department and increase its profile at industry events and in the trade and national press
• Lead high value, complex, multidisciplinary and strategically important assignments
• Responsible for successful delivery of all assignments in area of expertise
• Has external recognition and is influential in the market

Responsibilities
Financials

• Undertake business planning activities and manage fee negotiations, billing and actively manage debtors with the Rural Operational Executive
• Assist in developing initiatives to improve revenue and profitability

Clients and Business Development

• Actively manage Strutt & Parker clients base to deliver financial goals
• Maintain and build strategic client relationships
• Be effective in winning new business and develop relationships and grow business from existing and new clients

People

• Responsible for and manages team(s) to ensure consistent technical expertise
• Share knowledge with and provide information to colleagues and team
• Contributes expert guidance and leadership to complex assignments in his/her field
• Actively communicate to the team with relevant market updates and insights.
• Contribute to Strutt & Parker BIDS and tenders
• Responsible for monitoring and review of people processes for employee engagement ensuring sufficient resources and skills to support current and future business
• Attend external networking events, keep abreast of market developments and share these regularly with the team and Group as required
• Regularly review own objectives and update them accordingly

Person specification

• Relationship Building – working co-operatively with stakeholders to identify and meet mutual goals; focusing on building relationships of trust and mutual commitment; representing the organisation in external groups
• Planning – determining objectives and strategies required to deliver results; allocating resources according to priorities; determining how to use resources efficiently to accomplish a task or project
• Sets Goals & Expectations – translating the strategic priorities of the organisation and the operational plan into relevant goals and expectations for individuals that motivate and drive performance
• Building Teams and Teamwork – guiding and directing a group; establishing and maintaining the team engagement level needed to achieve the Strutt & Parker's objectives
• Communication – shaping communication to the needs of the audience; conveying ideas and opinions clearly to others; listening attentively to others
• Self Development – absorbing new information and ideas and applying them effectively; remaining up-to-date in one's knowledge and skills; learning from successes and failures
• Monitoring – gathering information about work activities and external conditions affecting work; checking on the progress and quality of work; making adjustments when necessary
• Persuasion & Influence – gaining support for ideas, proposals, projects etc; using techniques that appeal to reason, values or emotion to influence, persuade or convince others to adopt a specific course of action
• Technical Excellence – applying technical skills and knowledge; maintaining up-to-date knowledge within one's field of expertise; sharing technical information clearly and concisely with others

Essential Experience

• Significant track record within the market and a broad cross section of clients
• Able to work at a strategic level and maintain a network of senior contacts and decision makers
• Self starter and can work with little supervision and, where appropriate, under pressure
• Demonstrable record of delivery with a strong transaction background and track record of substantial deals in the marketplace
• Previous experience and evidence of enhancing performance through growth and profitability

We are proud to offer award-winning benefits to support and reward our employees:

• Heath & Leisure: Private medical cover, 30 days annual leave + public holidays (the option of purchasing up to 5 additional days via flex benefits), health screening, gym discounts, wellbeing support, volunteering opportunities, cycle to work scheme, eye care voucher, travel & retail discounts, travel insurance, concierge service, kids pass, open fairways golf card, great company culture and social events (including sports teams, charity events, art pass), perks at work
• Financial: Pension, company car allowance, life assurance at 8 x basic salary, group income protection (long term disability insurance), interest free season ticket loan, bonus scheme - you will be eligible to participate in the Company's Bonus Scheme, share incentive plan, financial and mortgage advice

Strutt and Parker is committed to providing a work environment that fosters diversity, inclusion, and equal employment opportunity without regard to race, colour, gender, age, creed, sex, religion, national origin, disability (physical or mental), marital status, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, or any other legally protected status.