Director, Strategic Planning

Oxford Nanopore has developed a new generation of nanopore-based sensing technology for faster information-rich accessible and affordable molecular analysis. The technology is used to understand and characterise the biology of humans animals plants bacteria viruses and diseases such as cancer. By enabling biological insights we strive to improve life on Earth and beyond.

Director Strategic Planning

Location: Oxford (Hybrid)

The Role:

Oxford Nanopore is seeking a highly motivated and analytically sharpDirector of Strategic Planningto join its Corporate team. This role sits at the centre of ONTs enterprise planning system shaping how the business aligns around its strategic goals and drives execution at scale.

You will be responsible for leading the rhythm of strategic planning facilitating cross-functional alignment and ensuring the companys most important priorities are clearly defined owned and tracked. Youll enablie high-quality decisions trade-offs and coordination across functions.

This role will focus on about building theinfrastructure of strategic focusat one of the most innovative companies in genomics. The ideal candidate will have a strong analytical and systems mindset thrive in ambiguity and be excited to help ONT scale its impact through structured insight-led planning.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning and Alignment

• Shape and run the planning calendar ensuring alignment with board budget and product timelines.
• Drive integration of long-range plans and annual objectives into actionable cross-functional deliverables.
• Coordinate functional input and ensure alignment around enterprise priorities.

Program and Initiative Governance

• Maintain the central portfolio of strategic programs and initiatives ensuring each has clear ownership scope and measurable outcomes.
• Facilitate initiative prioritisation (NanoPlan) enabling transparent trade-offs across functions and business units.
• Partner with Project Management Business Intelligence and Finance teams to ensure resource performance and impact visibility across the portfolio.

Strategic Insight & Executive Support

• Develop executive and board ready materials that clearly articulate strategic direction trade-offs and implications.
• Provide structured insight through targeted market technology and competitor analysis.
• Support scenario planning and long-range growth modelling in collaboration with Finance and BI&A.
• Act as a thought partner to the VP Strategic Planning and leadership team elevating decision quality and challenging constructively.

Candidate Profile:

• 5 years in corporate strategy life sciences/tech consulting commercial or strategic roles in high-growth companies.
• Experience in genomics diagnostics life sciences tools or biotech is highly desirable.
• Exceptional problem-solver with strong commercial intuition and a high bar for analytical quality.
• Proven ability to navigate ambiguity influence without authority and lead structured thinking across functions.
• Excellent communicator capable of simplifying complexity and delivering executive-ready materials.
• Comfortable operating cross-functionally and independently in fast-paced environments.
• Undergraduate degree in life sciences; MBA or similar is a plus.

Please note that no terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate on the grounds of a persons gender marital status race religion colour age disability or sexual orientation. Every candidate will be assessed only in accordance with their merits qualifications and abilities to perform the duties of the job.

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