Strategy and Planning Consultant

OverviewOur 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 weekStart Date: ASAP6 month W2 contract - moving into a permanent positionKey ResponsibilitiesStrategy & Business PlanningPartner 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 SupportServe 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 ManagementSupport 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 IntelligenceDevelop 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 & TransformationLead 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 StakeholdersInternalCEO and Executive Leadership TeamBusiness Unit LeadersFinance, Risk, Compliance, Legal and Audit TeamsStrategy, Planning and Business Intelligence FunctionsRegional and Global Leadership TeamsExternalRegulatory and supervisory bodiesExternal auditors and professional advisersStrategic partners and industry associationsKey clients and stakeholdersRequired Experience & QualificationsBachelor'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 & CompetenciesStrategic 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.