Head of Strategy & External Engagement

Our offer to you

We pride ourselves in being a great place to work, providing a supportive culture with opportunities to grow and develop your career, achieve a healthy work life balance and to be recognised for the great work you do. You will receive:

• Competitive salary and pension scheme
• 33 days holiday (inclusive of bank holidays) - increasing to 38 days over 5 years
• Cycle to work scheme Electric Vehicle Scheme (subject to terms)
• Health and Wellbeing portal – access to financial, health and wellbeing support and an Employee Assistance Programme
• Discounts – you will have access to Blue Light and NHS Discounts as well as discounts on mobile phones, gym membership, cinema tickets, restaurants, holidays and shopping

About Us

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a team of over 1,100 employees and over 20,000 volunteers, united by our goal of saving lives through essential first aid services, training and campaigning. As a charity with rich heritage and a long history of serving humanity, we are proud of our past and excited about creating a healthier, safer, more resilient future.

St John Ambulance works at the heart of communities, supporting and enabling them to access and receive physical and mental health first aid. We do this through developing and providing effective community response and outreach services (e.g. Ambulance response) and using our longstanding expertise to empower people with vital clinical skills and the confidence to use them (e.g. our Volunteers and Community Advocates, and Young Responders programmes).

Job Summary

Are you a strategic leader who can see the bigger picture, build influential relationships, and help shape the future of a nationally recognised charity? As our Head of Strategy and External Engagement, you'll play a pivotal role in helping St John Ambulance navigate an evolving landscape, ensuring we are well positioned to respond to emerging opportunities, tackle complex challenges, and maximise our impact.

Working at the heart of the organisation, you'll lead our approach to strategic insight and external engagement, bringing together evidence, intelligence and organisational priorities to inform decision-making and drive long-term success. You'll collaborate across teams to deliver cross-cutting strategic initiatives, build high-value partnerships with key stakeholders and decision-makers, and champion a compelling narrative that showcases the vital contribution St John Ambulance makes to communities across the country.

About You

• Significant experience leading strategy, business planning, external engagement or a related function within a complex organisation.
• A proven track record of supporting senior leaders and Boards with strategic advice that informs decision-making and drives organisational success.
• The ability to analyse complex information, identify emerging trends and opportunities, and translate insight into clear, evidence‑based recommendations.
• Strong relationship‑building and influencing skills, with experience working across organisational and sector boundaries to develop partnerships and achieve shared outcomes.
• Experience leading high‑profile, cross‑functional initiatives, bringing people together and driving progress without relying on direct authority.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling narratives, business cases and strategic propositions for a range of audiences.
• Authentic and inclusive leadership experience, with a passion for developing others, fostering collaboration and creating a positive team culture.
• Strong organisational and prioritisation skills, enabling you to manage competing priorities, navigate ambiguity and deliver results in a fast‑paced environment.

About the Role

• Lead the development and evolution of organisational strategy, providing high‑quality insight and decision support to the Executive Leadership Team and Board.
• Drive strategic intelligence by monitoring external trends, stakeholder perspectives and emerging opportunities to inform organisational planning and positioning.
• Turn complex evidence and analysis into clear, actionable recommendations that support strategic decision‑making and long‑term success.
• Oversee a portfolio of strategic priorities and cross‑organisational initiatives, ensuring effective coordination, visibility and delivery of key outcomes.
• Lead our strategic engagement approach, building and strengthening relationships with key partners, stakeholders and decision‑makers to maximise influence and impact.
• Shape and champion a compelling organisational narrative that demonstrates the value and impact of St John Ambulance through evidence, insight and thought leadership.
• Develop practical frameworks, tools and governance that enable consistent, transparent and effective strategic planning and decision‑making across the organisation.
• Lead and inspire a high‑performing team, fostering strategic thinking, collaboration and professional development while embedding St John Ambulance's values in everything you do.

St John Ambulance are committed to increasing the diversity of our team and making sure we best reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. At St John, everyone is valued and supported to thrive, we have several networks including Multi Culture, Disability and Accessibility, Pride, Family and Carers and Women’s groups. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination and encourage a sense of belonging for all, by creating an environment of mutual respect, where we value unique differences and demonstrate authentic allyship. We believe passionately in equality, diversity and inclusion.

St John Ambulance is committed to safeguarding and we promote safe recruitment practice. Therefore, all successful applicants will undergo pre‑employment checks, including DBS Clearance, as part of the onboarding process, if applicable to the nature of the role.