Directorate Planning Lead 54,639 pa

We're looking for a Directorate Planning Lead to drive an insight led planning approach across the People & Business Services (PBS) Directorate. You'll ensure our directorate plays its full part in delivering our strategy by shaping clear, realistic plans and embedding strong planning, reporting and leadership rhythms. In this role, you'll combine strategic thinking, collaboration and operational knowledge, helping connect people, plans and priorities so PBS can deliver at its very best.

We're open to discussing part time working hours, with a minimum of 4 days a week (30 hours).

What it's like to work here

You'll join a supportive and experienced PBS leadership team where collaboration and clarity really matter. You'll help bring structure and focus to our work, supporting our extended leadership team, enabling confident decision making and ensuring we put our people and audiences first.

Your contractual location will be our head office in Swindon and there will be an expectation for you to attend the office. However, there is flexibility on where you are based at other times. You'll be required to work at a National Trust location for 40-60% of your working week. This will be discussed in more detail at interview.

You'll be joining a team that values different perspectives and lived experiences, and we're committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels they belong.

What you'll be doing

As the lead for planning and coordination for the PBS Directorate you'll contribute to our people strategy and develop a clear, realistic directorate plan and annual budget, ensuring work is well sequenced, resourced and aligned.

You'll support the Director of People and the leadership team by shaping strategic discussions into coherent plans. Collaboration across the PBS directorate is a central part of the role, acting as a coordination point with other directorates, regions and countries to keep planning and communication aligned. Close partnership with Internal Communications & Engagement will be essential to maintain productive, joined up relationships.

You'll oversee performance reporting, drawing on insight, data and financial information to highlight progress, risks and priorities. You'll embed audience first design thinking into planning processes and contribute to organisational capability through involvement in boards, reporting cycles and cross organisational planning forums.

Who we're looking for

Applications from redeployees are assessed against the minimum criteria for the role. In your application, please provide details of how you meet the criteria below:

• Knowledge of HR, people processes and organisational planning
• Strong understanding of planning and project management methods, with experience applying them at scale
• Proven ability to turn high level organisational objectives into realistic delivery plans
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to motivate direct and indirect teams
• Ability to communicate information clearly and impactfully, including through presentations and influencing
• Experience using insight and evaluation to strengthen organisational capability

Additional criteria for all other applicants:

• Knowledge of budget management and financial processes
• Ability to build effective, high level partnerships and work cross functionally

The package

The National Trust has the motto 'For everyone, for ever' at its heart. We're working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It's important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we're for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
• Season ticket loan
• EV car lease scheme (for roles that meet the salary criteria)
• Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
• Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.

National Trust place

Heelis, Kemble Drive, Swindon, SN2 2NA

Documents

Directorate Planning Lead - Grade 4.pdf

Requirements

Compliance. Eligibility to Work in the UK

Additional information

Closing Date: 15 March 2026

In line with our redundancy policy, we'll prioritise applications from employees who are under formal notice of redundancy.

To apply for this vacancy simply click the 'apply' button in the top right hand side of the page.

If you need any help with your application, i.e. due to technical difficulties, please call us on or email us at

If you require an adjustment to the application process, for example due to disability or medical condition, please call us on or email us at and we'll support you as best as we can. For examples of how, please see our supporting you page.

EqualOpportunities Statement

The National Trust celebrates diversity and is committed to creating a fair and equal society, free from discrimination. You can read more about our commitment to inclusion and diversity here.

Safeguarding Statement

The National Trust is committed to a safe recruitment processes to help the organisation attract and appoint the right staff/volunteer for the role and responsibilities as set out in the vacancy advert. We will not accept applicants who are not suitable to work with children, young people or adults at risk. If you have any questions around your suitability for this vacancy, please contact the people service centre.

Please note we reserve the right to close this advert early and therefore we encourage you to apply for this position early.