DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC INITIATIVES

DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC INITIATIVES
Commercial, Finance, Technology
Cambridge / Hybrid (must be able to reach Cambridge easily)
-competitive + bonus + benefits
Chief of Staff-style leadership role spanning strategy, commercial performance, finance and cross-functional delivery.
The opportunity
This is a high-impact role within an established, globally recognised software company entering its next phase of growth. Working directly with the CEO and senior leadership team, you will translate ambition into a focused operating agenda, strengthen commercial and financial insight, and ensure the business delivers its most important priorities.
The remit is comparable to a commercially focused Chief of Staff: part strategic adviser, part operator and part programme leader. Success will require rigorous analysis, sound judgement and the confidence to move between board-level discussions and hands-on delivery.
The company
A globally successful software business operating in a specialist market. Combining deep academic and technical expertise with an entrepreneurial culture, the company is scaling its commercial capability, operating rhythm and use of data.
The mandate
* Act as a trusted strategic partner to the CEO, structuring priorities, preparing decisions and driving agreed actions through to completion.
* Own the strategic initiatives portfolio, with clear outcomes, accountable owners, milestones, dependencies and reporting.
* Lead annual and quarterly planning, connecting company objectives with functional plans, commercial forecasts and resource decisions.
* Produce concise, decision-ready reporting for the CEO, leadership team and board, covering performance, risks, options and recommendations.
* Improve visibility of commercial performance across ARR, NRR, pipeline, conversion, retention, customer lifetime value and unit economics.
* Partner with Finance on management reporting, forecasting, scenario analysis and investment cases.
* Support commercial governance and significant deal decisions across Sales, Finance, Product, Legal and delivery teams.
* Lead cross-functional initiatives involving Product, Engineering, Data Science, Sales and Marketing, removing blockers and maintaining momentum.
* Improve operating cadence and accountability without adding unnecessary bureaucracy.
* Identify valuable applications of AI and automation across workflows, reporting, customer insight and decision support.
The person
You will be an analytically strong, commercially astute operator who creates clarity in fast-moving, intellectually demanding environments. Credible with senior leaders and technical specialists, you will challenge constructively, influence without relying on hierarchy and take ownership when an initiative needs momentum.
Essential experience and capabilities
* Around 8-10 years'' relevant experience, ideally within B2B software, SaaS, FinTech or another data-rich technology environment.
* Experience supporting a CEO, founder, business leader or executive team in strategy, commercial, corporate development, finance, operations or a Chief of Staff role.
* Strong financial and commercial fluency, including board reporting, recurring-revenue metrics, forecasting, pipeline performance and customer economics.
* Evidence of leading complex, cross-functional initiatives from an ambiguous brief to a measurable outcome.
* Excellent analytical skills, with the ability to turn complex information into a clear story, recommendation and action plan.
* Strong written and verbal communication, including executive and board materials.
* Effective collaboration across Product, Engineering, Data Science, Sales, Finance and leadership teams.
* A strong degree from a Russell Group university in engineering, mathematics, finance, physics, economics or another relevant quantitative discipline.
Helpful, but not essential
* Practical experience with AI-enabled tools, automation or analytics.
* Exposure to enterprise sales, pricing, contracting, customer success or go-to-market strategy.
* Experience supporting Marketing, market positioning or commercial communications.
Why join?
* Work directly with the CEO and influence the direction and effectiveness of a globally successful specialist technology company.
* Gain broad exposure across strategy, finance, commercial performance, product and execution.
* Join an intelligent, entrepreneurial environment that values initiative, evidence and impact.
* Shape the role as the company grows, with visible ownership of business-critical priorities.
About Adecco
Adecco is acting as an Employment Agency. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and are on the client''s supplier list for this role.
Keywords: Director of Strategic Initiatives * Chief of Staff * Strategy Director * Strategic Operations * Business Operations * Corporate Strategy * Commercial Strategy * CEO Support * Programme Leadership * SaaS * B2B Software * FinTech * ARR * NRR * Forecasting * Board Reporting * Commercial Finance * Revenue Operations * AI * Automation * Cambridge * Hybrid