"Head of Strategic Projects"

What is the role?

We’ve always thrived on imagination backed by action, and we think our new Head of Strategic Projects should be no different. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, Dan Lawson, with a dotted line to the Principal, Professor Ian Palmer, you will take on a wide-ranging strategic brief to identify, shape, rationalise and deliver the business cases that will define our next chapter.

This is a unique and autonomous role that intersects creativity and business development and strategy. You will track emerging opportunities in higher education and the creative industries, turn them into bold, well evidenced propositions, and guide them through to decision and delivery. Your propositions may take the form of new programmes, new schools, innovative delivery models or other ideas that expand Escape’s reach and influence.

Whatever the case, your work will matter, and you will ensure Escape continues to lead where others follow. Importantly, you will have a seat at the table, advising senior leaders directly on investment decisions, bringing fresh perspectives on business planning, making sure new initiatives are grounded in commercial sense and educational rigour, and much more.

In a nutshell, we want you to take ideas from spark to strategy, and where the opportunity is right, from strategy into delivery. We see this as a genuinely impactful chance to create initiatives that shape not only our future, but also the wider creative industries we so passionately serve.

Our ideal candidate profile:

• An experienced senior candidate, ready for institution wide responsibility.
• A background in the following sectors: higher education, creative industries, corporate strategy or consultancy.
• Entrepreneurial, ambitious and comfortable with ambiguity, desirably with an MBA or equivalent experience.
• Finance-literate and confident in developing business cases and models.
• Experienced in market analysis and proposition development.
• Exceptional communicator with board-level presentation skills.
• Pragmatic and delivery focused with the confidence to challenge constructively, and the ability to influence at high levels.

Terms and package:

Salary range between £70,000 - £80,000 with KPI-related bonuses and the potential for long term incentives or equity for an outstanding candidate.

Hybrid working pattern, averaging 2 days per week on site in North Greenwich

Pension with 3% employer contribution, and a further option to salary sacrifice.

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, rising by one day per completed year of service up to a maximum of 30 days plus bank holidays.

Further benefits currently under review include access to dental plan, an employee assistance programme and life insurance

Start date flexible, from immediate to up to three months’ notice

How to apply:

Please click the Apply button below to be taken to the application portal.

Should you also wish to discuss the role further or for details on how to progress your application, please direct all enquiries to our advising consultants:

• Alicja Janowska: alicja.janowska@andersonquigley.com
• Akhil Yerneni: akhil.yerneni@andersonquigley.com

Anderson Quigley is acting as an advisor to Escape Studios. A search process is being carried out by Anderson Quigley in addition to the public advertisements. The closing date for applications at present is 3rd October, although shortlisting and initial conversations may take place on an ongoing basis. Whilst all applications before the closing date will be given a fair opportunity and every single applicant will get a response; we do encourage early expressions of interest.