Head of Strategy and Insights

Who is HSBC Innovation Banking?  

HSBC Innovation Banking is the power behind the UK’s forward-thinkers, future-makers, and leap-takers, helping them ignite the bold ideas that reshape our world. We offer flexible banking solutions for start-ups, scale-ups, growth businesses, investors and those working towards IPO typically within the technology and life science sectors.

Whether it’s comprehensive banking, managing cashflow, plans for buyouts or Strategic Fund Solutions, we power ideas at every stage of their journey. From the first-time founders to the funds that back them, and everything in between. We're proud to accelerate growth for our clients, create meaningful connections and communities, and open a world of global opportunity for entrepreneurs and investors alike.

Here’s to never standing still. Come and join us!

The value you’ll add:

The Head of Strategy & Insights is a newly created senior leadership role reporting to the Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), HSBC Innovation Banking UK. Partnering with the CEO and Operating Committee (OpCo), the role shapes and steers business strategy by delivering high-impact insights that challenge thinking, improve decision-making, and equip Frontline teams with commercial analytics to drive growth—supporting the ambition to lead UK innovation economy banking.

• Lead a team combining market/client intelligence, performance insights, and strategic planning/execution to drive sustainable performance. Act as a key partner to the CCO, CEO and senior leadership—shaping OpCo/Board narrative and decisions, identifying growth opportunities, influencing priorities and strategic programmes, and ensuring alignment across HSBC Innovation Banking and wider HSBC
• Balance strategic thinking with strong analytical capability; operate as an entrepreneurial, commercially astute, outcomes-focused leader who can move quickly from ambiguity to structured execution
• Bring strong Commercial Banking and innovation ecosystem knowledge, including how Frontline teams should serve it. Demonstrate proven people leadership (inclusive, high-performance culture) and strong stakeholder management to build alignment and deliver at pace. Lead data-led strategic initiatives, understand data architecture, and partner closely with the Data Team to define and prioritise insight requirements. Provide constructive challenge and solutions to senior management with a “consulting mindset”

What you can expect to be doing:

• Support development and refinement of HSBC Innovation Banking UK strategy using data insights (vision/ambition, strategic and growth pillars, execution frameworks such as OKRs and operating rhythms)
• Contribute to broader Innovation Banking strategy initiatives, ensuring insight-led recommendations inform key decisions
• Provide strategic input and governance for cross-team commercial “Growth Levers” programmes: set direction, align stakeholders, oversee delivery, and support strategy development where needed
• Lead and project manage major strategic initiatives, including strategic framing, operating model implications, OpCo/Board updates, leadership messaging, and cross-function/entity stakeholder alignment
• Own production of senior-ready written and PowerPoint materials, often creating new content and tailoring narrative by audience; develop data-backed insights and compelling storylines
• Support the CEO with ad hoc strategic requests (e.g., competitive landscape updates, executive visit planning/materials, OpCo/Board packs)
• Champion data quality (e.g., CRM) and strengthen data-driven decision-making across senior leadership
• Partner with the Data Team to influence data strategy and priorities (data science/engineering/analytics experience beneficial)
• Identify and size priority growth opportunities using proprietary and third-party sources (e.g., PitchBook, Beauhurst, Dealroom, CapIQ) to generate actionable recommendations
• Partner with business leadership to track performance and key metrics (e.g., acquisition, pipeline, portfolio/funding) and translate insights into prioritised actions
• Evolve the strategy/insights operating model (capacity planning, governance cadence, systems/technology enablers)
• Provide strategic input into financial planning, including “run the bank” and “change the bank” cycles

Requirements:

• Significant experience in strategy, corporate development, market realisation, consulting, banking, or related fields
• Strong knowledge of the technology sector and innovation ecosystem (tech, life sciences, start-up/VC, corporate finance) and related client needs/revenue drivers
• Proven ability to convert complex data intelligence into actionable commercial strategy and growth
• Strong analytical, financial modelling, and strategic problem-solving skills
• Significant strategic leadership experience; accountable for outcomes and able to lead through change
• Demonstrated ability to produce Board/OpCo-level materials with strong narrative discipline (written and PPT), often under time pressure.
• Strong cross-functional leadership: coordinate across lines/functions/entities; manage multiple projects and stakeholders simultaneously
• Ability to influence senior leaders (including C-suite), challenge conventional thinking, and drive change with resilience and resourcefulness
• Strong understanding of commercial banking structures, products, and business models
• Results-oriented; able to balance long-term strategy with practical execution

Where you’ll be based:

Our home office in Finsbury Square, London. We offer hybrid working to our employees, so you can flex between home and the office, with a current requirement to be in the office 2 days per week

Being open to different points of view is important for our business and the communities we serve. At HSBC, we’re dedicated to creating diverse and inclusive workplaces - no matter their gender, ethnicity, disability, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic background or age. We are committed to removing barriers and ensuring careers at HSBC are inclusive and accessible for everyone to be at their best. We take pride in being a Disability Confident Leader and will offer an interview to people with disabilities, long term conditions or neurodivergent candidates who meet the minimum criteria for the role.

If you have a need that requires accommodations or changes during the recruitment process, please get in touch with our Recruitment Helpdesk via hsbc.recruitment@hsbc.com.