Overview

Citizens Advice is embarking on a bold transformation — moving towards a missions-based strategy that centres community-led change, social innovation, and collective impact. We’re shifting from traditional top-down planning to a model that empowers local action, decentralises power, and delivers sustained impact for people and communities.

As our Head of Strategy, you’ll lead the development of a strategy function that brings coherence across national Citizens Advice and our local network. You’ll work across boundaries — engaging our 238 local Citizens Advice charities, national teams, and external partners — to align on our three shared missions and drive systemic change.

This is an opportunity to transform how a federated network collaborates, innovates, and delivers together. You’ll shape how we convene, co-create, and build momentum for change within communities.

Salary and Location

Salary: £69,664 plus £3,520 London allowance if applicable

Location: Blended between office and home (England and Wales). Time in office negotiable

Responsibilities

Lead the development of a strategy function that brings coherence across national Citizens Advice and the local network. Engage across boundaries to align on shared missions and drive systemic change. Convene, co-create, and build momentum for change within communities.

What we’re looking for

• Deep experience in strategy, policy, or community innovation in complex systems
• A strong track record of influencing and facilitating across local and national levels
• Passion for localism, social innovation, and a belief in the power of networks and communities as changemakers
• The ability to build and lead a high-performing team, grounded in trust and shared purpose

Essential criteria to address in your cover letter

• Significant experience and proven success in a senior role leading and developing an influential function at the centre of an organisational function (e.g., Strategy, Innovation, Transformation)
• Proven track record of driving and supporting social innovation, working with partners in organisations of various sizes to develop new approaches and innovation frameworks, scaling ideas that benefit communities and drive social change
• Understanding of how to build a strategy function in a complex setting, ideally with networks and experimental approaches to strategy
• Proven track record of building engagement and adoption of new substantial strategic initiatives in complex environments

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

EDI is of strategic importance and integral to all we do. We welcome applications from people underrepresented in our organisation and sector. We follow the social model of disability and offer an interview to disabled candidates who indicate they wish to be considered under our Disability Confident Interview Commitment. We will provide reasonable adjustments as needed. Some roles may have interview limits due to high volumes.

Working arrangements

We’re a flexible employer. This role may suit someone who prefers a flexible arrangement to support work/life balance, with many colleagues spending most of their time remotely. We prefer a blended approach between a local office (if near you) and home, but location can be flexible and discussed in the interview. The National Citizens Advice operates from offices in England and Wales; successful applicants must be based within England or Wales.

Please be aware that Citizens Advice is not a sponsoring organisation. The successful applicant must already have the right to work in the UK or be able to secure it independently.

Closing information: In the event of a high number of applications, we reserve the right to close the application early. This vacancy closes at 23:59 on the closing date.

Seniority level

• Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Strategy/Planning, Management, and Project Management
• Industries: Non-profit Organizations, Civic and Social Organizations, and Government Administration