Head of POWERful Women

The Head of POWERful Women provides strategic and commercial leadership for the initiative, working with the Chair and Board to set direction, strengthen impact and secure long-term sustainability. The role leads PfW’s strategy, developing a sustainable funding model that diversifies income and strengthens the initiative’s long-term commercial viability, evidence base and influence across the UK energy sector.

The postholder will be a credible external advocate and DEI expert, building senior relationships across industry, government and partner organisations. As leader of a small team, the Head will translate strategy into a focused programme of activity, establish clear priorities and accountabilities, and ensure PfW delivers measurable value for its audiences, partners and funders.

POWERful Women (PfW) works for a gender-balanced, diverse and inclusive energy sector, with a goal for women to hold at least 40% of middle management and leadership roles by 2030. PfW challenges the sector and its leaders, supports women’s professional development, and helps organisations improve diversity and inclusion through evidence, partnerships, events and networking. PfW works collaboratively with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and is hosted by the Energy Institute.

• Location:
  
  London-based hybrid
• Flexibility:
  
  Across Monday to Friday
• Direct reports:
  
  PfW team
• Working Pattern:
  
  Part time, 21 hours/3 days per week
• Reports To:
  
  CEO
• Contract:
  
  12-month fixed-term contract, with potential to become permanent

Strategy, impact and thought leadership

• Lead the development, implementation and review of PfW’s strategy with the Chair and Board, maintaining a clear purpose, strategic priorities and outcomes aligned to the 40 by 30 ambition.
• Provide authoritative DEI insight, using evidence, data and sector intelligence to shape priorities, influence debate and strengthen PfW’s position as a respected voice on gender equity in energy.
• Oversee an outcomes and impact framework, ensuring PfW can demonstrate progress, learn from evidence and focus resources where they will create greatest value.
• Anticipate changes in the energy, policy and DEI landscape and advise the Board on opportunities, risks and strategic choices.
• Ensure PfW’s principal outputs, including the annual State of the Nation and Energy Leaders’ Coalition reporting, are rigorous, relevant and positioned for influence.

Commercial sustainability and organisational stewardship

• Design and deliver a sustainable funding model for PfW, using strong commercial acumen to generate and diversify income through sponsorship, strategic partnerships, funded programmes and other aligned opportunities.
• Build compelling propositions for funders and partners, with clear value and benefits, while protecting PfW's independence, purpose, reputation and values.
• Own business planning, budgets, income targets and financial performance; maintain a clear funding pipeline and provide robust forecasts and recommendations to the Board.
• Negotiate and oversee key partnerships and supplier arrangements, ensuring clear value, appropriate controls and effective delivery.
• Identify income-generating services, collaborations and funded programmes, supported by proportionate business cases that assess return, capacity and risk.

External influence and stakeholder engagement

• Act as a senior ambassador and spokesperson for PfW, representing the initiative confidently with energy leaders, government, regulators, professional bodies, partners, media and wider sector audiences.
• Cultivate trusted relationships with senior stakeholders, including the Energy Leaders’ Coalition, PfW Ambassadors, sponsors and strategic partners, converting engagement into advocacy, action…