Junior Product Development Manager recruitment

The role holder will work with senior members of Product Development in order to make recommendations for changes to or the development of the fund ranges, with a view to creating new product ideas and enhancing the profitability and competitiveness of the business. This covers both new products and relevant changes to existing products and may include fund launches, rationalisations, liquidations or any other product restructuring projects. The function has ownership of the product development and product management process from ideas generation, research, agreeing structures, issue resolution, approval and into delivery, then handover to the business. 

The role holder has a significant role to play within the firm: delivering fund changes that are often complex and deliver significant financial benefit to the business unit.

Key Responsibilities

1.       To coordinate the research and analysis for potential new product wrappers and funds for the Retail and Institutional markets, with a focus on documenting the appropriate process in determining they deliver to customers' needs. Product Development ensures that all necessary components are delivered according to time, scope and budget for a successful and compliant product launch, This role works within the product development framework and includes the following:       

-          Coordinating the analysis of product and customer research, commissioning stress testing and producing business cases, either alone or in conjunction with other areas of the business, depending on the development.  Whilst responsibility for producing elements of the business case may reside elsewhere in the Group, Product Development is responsible for the overall business case and is accountable for its content and approval. 

-          to own the management and running of the Product Strategy Committee (chaired by the PD Director or Marketing Director) and to ensure the agenda, minutes and actions are produced and circulated.

-          to support the PD Director in documenting and gaining the required product approval in line with processes within the company and the Savings Product Committee, and elsewhere within the firm as necessary.

-          to work with Change PSB process to prioritise and deliver approved product developments.

-          to ensure the company's product development process is compliant with the Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) model.

-          to work effectively with the wider business to continuously improve the product life cycle processes.

2     Work with Change to define the scope and assist with the implementation of appropriate project delivery structures and governance. As part of this, to work as required with key stakeholders across all areas, Savings Division and other parts of the company as relevant, so they deliver in accordance with business requirements. Working with the Project Sponsor, Product Development Director, the Investment Funds Officer,  Product Technical, Category Management, the Head of Change Business Systems and Risk Compliance, to scope and document the project, ensuring relevant areas of the Product Lifecycle Management model will be followed and evidenced.

3         Work with other members of the Product Development Team to carry out post implementation reviews of the project, identifying opportunities for improvement, allocating responsibility for actions and reporting summary to the Product Development Director. 

4         Assist/liaise with Category Managers as necessary in carrying out product reviews at predetermined period(s) after launch to ensure that products are sold to the appropriate customer group and identified benefits have been delivered.

5         Contribute to the motivation and development of the Product Development and wider team in a manner that is consistent with the company’s policies and procedures, including TCF Principles and the Partnership Agreement, to maximise the performance of the business and to ensure business objectives are achieved. Key relationships within this will be Category Management, Product Technical and the Investment Funds Officer.

6         Assist in the development of the Product Development as a "centre of excellence" for product queries and as a repository of product knowledge, both for the firm and also for with wider Group, so that Product Development is seen as a first stop for advice on product related queries.  With the Product Development Director, advising other areas of the Group of issues, risks and impacts in order to ensure the Group delivers the best possible products across market channels.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience required  

To apply for this role you must have the following: -          

Experience working with UCITS vehicles and the legal and regulatory requirements of these products, in an operational, sales, client servicing or marketing environment. -          

Evidence of project management ability

 The ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines across multiple projects.

 The discipline to work independently, whilst co-ordinating your efforts as part of a team.

Be a self-starter with a strong work ethic.

Educated to degree level (desirable).  

IMC qualification required