Strategic Services Director - Hybrid

Calling all Defence Consultancy leaders, are you open to a move? Our growing remote team of professional consultants is looking for a strategic thinking, results driven, people focused Director with a background in Management Services or Business Winning to join our leadership team.  

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, this role will shape and execute the Strategic Services strategy to support Whitetree's growth and business objectives inclusive of the following core services: P3M, Transformation, Supply Chain, Commercial and Risk Management, Bid and Capture Management.   

This new position is established during an exciting period of growth and change with an eye firmly focussed on the future. If you're excited about joining a values-driven, agile team and playing a key role in shaping the future of a growing business, we'd love to hear from you.  

You’ll work from home and travel for meetings and to work collaboratively; typically within the Bristol area, being in the South West is preferred. 

About Whitetree 

Since our establishment in 2018, Whitetree has grown into a leading multi-disciplinary consultancy, and we’re not stopping there.  

Our mission is clear: To empower our clients, make a lasting impact, and provide unmatched career growth opportunities. We’re passionate about what we do and are driven by a commitment to excellence. By delivering the highest-quality service and going above and beyond to succeed, we can achieve our mission and make a meaningful impact in the sectors we serve. We do this through, continuously championing our values: 

Trust: We nurture strong, positive relationships with both clients and employees, we are trusted to deliver. 

Integrity: We build our reputation on transparency and accountability and act with uncompromising honesty and integrity in everything we do. 

Innovation: We encourage freedom, where thoughtful, creative and inspirational ideas are valued to challenge the status quo with open minds, focus, and agility. 

Excellence: We look beyond the present and challenge ourselves, with a commitment to continuous improvement, to deliver future value. 

The Role  

The Strategic Services Director will be a key member of the senior leadership team, responsible for overseeing and driving the Strategic Services capability, which currently comprises our Management Services and Business Winning functions. 

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, this role will shape and execute the Strategic Services strategy to support Whitetree's growth and business objectives. This new position is established during an exciting period of growth and change with an eye firmly focussed on the future. The Strategic Services Director must embody and promote Whitetree's values of trust, integrity, innovation, and excellence. Responsibilities include: 

• Developing and implementing the Strategic Services strategy in alignment with the company's overall goals and objectives. 

• Leading and managing teams to ensure high performance, utilisation, effective resource allocation and professional development. 

• Overseeing the delivery of Strategic Services projects, ensuring they meet quality standards, budgets, and timelines. 

• Providing technical consulting services.  

• Active development of the Strategic Services capability to include new and emerging industry sectors (i.e health, energy etc) and services. 

• Collaborating with senior leaders to identify and pursue new business opportunities and partnerships. 

• Ensuring compliance with relevant industry standards, regulations, and best practice. 

• Fostering a culture of innovation, excellence and continuous improvement for Strategic Services, Whitetree and its clients.  

• Identifying opportunities for funded research and development projects. 

• Developing and managing the Strategic Services budget, ensuring efficient use of resources and cost control. 

• Acting as a key point of contact for clients on technical matters, providing expert advice and solutions. 

• Monitoring industry trends and advancements to keep the company at the forefront of technological innovation. 

• Reporting regularly to the COO on Strategic Services performance, challenges, and opportunities. 

Person Specification 

Experience required  

• Experience in senior leadership roles within an agile and growing consulting business.   

• Extensive experience within the defence sector and experience of / interest in other emerging sectors of interest i.e health, energy. 

• Direct consulting experience within one or more Whitetree capabilities: Management Services or Business Winning i.e Project / Programme Management, Supply Chain / Commercial / Risk Management, Transformation or Bid / Capture Management or similar expertise. 

• Demonstrable experience in developing and implementing technical strategies that drive business growth. 

• Track record of successfully leading large-scale technical projects and teams. 

Skills and Competencies required  

• Excellent leadership and management skills, including leading self and others through change.  

• A Strategic thinker with the ability to translate strategy into actionable plans. 

• A cultivator of collaboration, enabling teams to find common ground, hold mutual respect and build team cohesion to achieve objectives. 

• A strong understanding of the drivers behind organisational success able to identify and manage opportunities and threats.  

• Strong client and partner relationship management skills, able to build and maintain a strategic business network. 

• Strong problem-solving abilities, demonstrating intellectual curiosity, flexibility, and decision-making capabilities. 

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, engaging and influencing stakeholders at all levels. 

• Risk Management influence and expertise across industry, organisation, client and project environment   

• A solution focussed approach, able to lead the development of high-quality proposals and projects, translating technical needs into client benefits. 

• Financial and commercial acumen skilled in proposal pricing, budget management and cost control, able to meet company KPI’s (utilisation, pricing etc). 

• Social and emotional intelligence, able to read and sense the objectives, motivation and emotions of teams.  

• High professional and ethical standards and behaviours, acting in the best interests of clients, colleagues and partners.  

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, agile environment and manage multiple priorities. 

• An innovative thinker, able promote a working environment focussed on continuous improvement and a creative and holistic approach. 

Additional Requirements 

• Willingness to travel as required to meet business needs (likely Bristol / South West) 

• Previous experience of and comfortable with remote working is required 

• Current right to live and work in the UK 

• Current SC clearance or willing and eligible to undergo a Security Clearance check* 

• You will become an appointed Company Director listed on companies house with legal obligations as such, please read: Companies Act 2006 (legislation.gov.uk) 

I don’t meet the criteria? 

If you don’t meet the full role criteria and are interested in Whitetree careers, contact talent@whitetree.co.uk 

Why work for Whitetree? 

At Whitetree, we are committed to providing: 

• A collaborative and supportive environment in which you can grow and develop your career. 

• A chance to work alongside some of the best people in the industry. 

• Tools, training, coaching, and mentoring to help you do work you can be proud of. 

• Flexibility, work-life balance is important, we strive to promote flexibility in the workplace. 

Rewards & Benefits  

Time Off: Enjoy 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays and a day off for your birthday! 

Work-Life Balance & flexible working: Start weekends early with an early Friday finish (client dependent), enjoy flexible hours to suit your needs and those of our clients. 

Financial Security: Benefit from 6% matched pension contributions.  

Rewarding Performance: Director annual bonus scheme & eligibility for company share options. 

Health & Wellbeing: Access Smart Health 24/7 GP, professional mental health support, fitness plans, nutritional advice and more. Additionally, opt into Vitality Private Medical Insurance, for peace of mind.  

Family Support: Benefit from our Family Private Medical Insurance salary sacrifice scheme. 

Financial Protection: Rest easy with life insurance coverage of 4x your salary. 

Professional Development: We’ll cover the cost of a professional body annual membership. 

Chartership: Transform your career with our accredited Chartered Management Consultant pathway.  

Investment in Your Growth: Expand your expertise with your individual training budget. 

Silver Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Award: This prestigious recognition reflects our commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community. It highlights our dedication to providing support, opportunities and fostering an inclusive environment for cadets, veterans, reservists, and their families – which for an employer of c40% veterans is crucial. 

Team time: Enjoy social and company events, fostering a supportive and inclusive culture. 

Social Value Impact: Give back with 4 half days paid time for charity work. 

Recruitment Incentives: Earn £1000 with our employee recruitment bounty. 

Tech Savvy: Take advantage of our tech salary sacrifice scheme. 

Eco-Friendly Initiatives: Join our electric car and cycle to work salary sacrifice schemes. 

Exclusive Discounts: Access our various discounted voucher schemes. 

Whitetree values the differences that a diverse workforce brings to the organisation and will not discriminate. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, building a culture that values openness, fairness, and transparency. We want everyone who works with us to feel valued and to make a difference. 

Ready to join us? Click the apply button now or email talent@whitetree.co.uk for more information. 

Compulsory National Security Vetting 

*Please check eligibility: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dbs-national-security-vetting-solution-guidance-for-subjects Please note that many roles within Whitetree are subject to national security vetting. Applicants that already hold the appropriate level of vetting may be able to transfer it upon appointment, subject to approval. A number of roles with our clients are subject to restrictions on access to information that mean factors such as nationality, previous nationalities held and the country in which you were born may have an effect on whether Whitetree are able to employ you for a role.