Head of Change – Funds recruitment

Purpose of role

The UK Development and Change Team is responsible for the successful delivery and co-ordination of a number of key programmes and projects of mutual funds and funds-of-funds, and their distribution via sales platforms and Fund Supermarket products.

The role requires the Head of Development and change to work with colleagues, other stakeholders and Senior Executives to build out future change delivery roadmaps for the funds and platforms business, and be able to report on this across the business. This ultimately entails being involved if defining the future strategy and turning it into reality.

Additionally and in many instances, they will be expected to lead these initiatives, taking a hands on and flexible approach to delivery, following a structured method wherever possible.

A key element of the role is stakeholder engagement and the Role Holder will be expected to be proficient in running multiple and complex projects, chairing steering and Exco meetings, producing reporting for all levels of management and have confidence in leading discussions.

Some Subject Matter Expertise of funds and / or platforms business is expected as the candidate will be required to perform an element of Business Analyst activities and lead in making business decisions, in addition managing the delivery and execution.

The Role Holder will need to maintain close and effective working relationships with fund analysts, platform specialists, fund managers, infrastructure areas (Legal, Compliance, Finance, Operations) and outsourced service providers (fund administrators, transfer agents, custodians, technology providers) as well as internal stakeholders across the Group.

Key clients (internal and external)

Internal: Distribution Channels, Legal, Compliance, Operations, Commercial, Technology, Customer Relations Department and other IPO departments

External: Direct Clients, Third Party Administrators, the UK Retail Bank, Regulators, and Third party solution partners

Role requirements

Professional/technical experience

• Excellent and proven Programme Directorship and Management capability on a number of Fund Management or Fund Platforms changes

• Proven experience of managing large projects and resources, involving external suppliers and teams across multiple functions

• Ability to plan, lead and execute transformational change

• Strong planning skills, experience in managing complex plans, delivery schedules and budgets

• Proven capability of understanding difficult concepts and being able to make the right decisions

• Excellent ability to communicate with all levels of staff, both through written materials and verbally

• PRINCE2, MSP or equivalent Project / Programme Management qualification

• Strong Business analysis skills and willingness to use them – ideally in delivering new platforms and fund management (end to end)

• Detailed knowledge of regulatory requirements and administration of funds (preferably fund of funds), and Structured Products

• Knowledge of ISA, investment bond and pension rules and other tax rules and regulations

• Experienced in working with outsourced administration business models

• Established network in the industry – knowledge of key players and best practice (TPA, Custodians, Industry associations)

• Understanding of client propositions and the development of them

• Supporting management of risk events (e.g. impact assessment, accountabilities, required steps for resolution, escalation)

• Developing business operating models to support platform functionality and regulatory requirements

• Strong organisational skills, with an ability to meet challenging deadlines

• Ability to write clear, concise English; ability to confidently communicate to internal and external stakeholders

• Good IT skills, including Project Management based applications such as MS Project, Visio

• Excellent knowledge of functions associated with funds and platforms (risk , legal compliance etc)

Personal attributes

• Self starter and problem solver

• An established leader of people

• Flexibility and a strong team-focussed attitude

• Ability to work under pressure and deadline driven

• Assertive and able to get the point across

• Makes the right decisions

• Strong Business ethics

• Attention to detail

• Good communication skills