At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial strategy and analysis to drive Beazley’s corporate goals.
- Company: Join a leading insurance firm committed to innovation and excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a collaborative work environment.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and collaboration across departments.
- Why this job: Shape strategic decisions and make a real impact in the finance sector.
- Qualifications: University degree and professional accounting or actuarial qualification required.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Lead the Strategic Finance work to build a centre of excellence for financial analysis that enables confident strategic decision-making, directly supports the delivery of Beazley’s corporate strategy.
Key Responsibilities:
- Collaboration & Communication: Drive cross-departmental collaboration, embodying and role-modelling ‘One Finance’. Ensure close collaboration between Capital & Strategic Finance and Financial Performance, Capital Management, Reporting Accounting & Tax, and the Executive Committee/Boards. Communicate how capital and financial strategies enable execution of corporate priorities and enhance competitive advantage.
- Financial Strategy Development: Responsible for supporting the development & execution of Beazley’s medium to long-term financial strategies that align with the company's overall goals as well as providing strategic and actionable recommendations to key stakeholders. This involves:
- Strategic Planning: Developing comprehensive, integrated financial plans that support business growth, innovation, and sustainability. This includes proposing financial targets, identifying key performance indicators (KPIs) to help track progress against Beazley’s strategic initiatives, and creating roadmaps to achieve these goals especially through aligning the annual business plan with the medium/long term strategic plan. Embed value-based decision-making frameworks (e.g., RORAC, economic profit) into planning and performance management. Ensure financial strategies are explicitly aligned with Beazley’s long-term strategic objectives and shareholder value creation goals.
- Scenario Planning: Conducting scenario analyses to prepare for potential future events and uncertainties, ensuring the company can adapt to changing conditions. Support the execution of Beazley’s Financial Strategy through identification of profitable business growth and earlier identification of underperforming lines of business. This will also involve supporting the development of solvency forecasts (including stress & scenario testing to guide decision making), capital allocation/management proposals, and assisting on any capital related activities, including around Beazley’s capital structure.
- Market Analysis: Continuously analysing market trends, economic conditions, and competitive landscapes to identify opportunities and threats.
- Resource Allocation: Develop tools and insights to identify and prioritize value creation opportunities across portfolios, products, and geographies.
It is important that within all your interactions both internally and externally you adhere to Beazley’s core values - Being Bold, Striving for Better, and Doing the Right Thing – as they contribute to an internal environment of teamwork and promote a positive brand image and experience to our external customers. We also expect Beazley employees to:
- Comply with Beazley procedures, policies and regulations including the code of conduct, which incorporates the PRA and FCA Conduct.
- Undertake training on Beazley policies and procedures as delivered by your line manager, the Culture & People or assurance teams (compliance, risk, internal audit) either directly, via e-learning or the learning management system.
- Display business ethics that uphold the interests of all our customers. Ensure all interactions with customers are focused on delivering a fair outcome, including having the right products for their needs.
- Comply with any specific responsibilities necessary for your role as outlined by your line manager, the Culture & People or assurance teams (compliance, risk, internal audit) and ensure you keep up to date with developments in these areas. This may include, amongst others, Beazley’s underwriting control standards, Beazley’s claims control standards, other Beazley standards and customer relationship management.
- Carry out additional responsibilities as individually notified, either through your objectives or through the learning management system. These may include membership of any Beazley committees or working groups.
Personal Specification:
- Education & Qualifications: University degree and professional accounting or actuarial qualification.
- Skills & Abilities: Proactively seeks to improve processes, raising quality and productivity through efficiencies or by implementing best-in-class solutions. Highly organised with the ability to prioritise and meet deadlines. Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills. Ability to understand, advise and deliver on initiatives to senior management and executive level. Ability to simplify, analyse and explain complex issues. Ability to design and implement complex models. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail. Strategic thinker with a proactive and results-driven mindset. Strong capability in linking financial analysis to enterprise strategy and shareholder value creation.
- Knowledge & Experience: Extensive experience in the insurance industry. Extensive post qualification experience.
- Aptitude & Disposition: Outcome focussed, self-motivated, very flexible and enthusiastic. Professional and approachable with can-do attitude to successfully interact with senior management/colleagues/external suppliers. Collaborative and diplomatic.
Competencies:
- Integrity
- Teambuilding
- Customer focus
- Resilience
- Technical Competence/expertise
- Business/financial acumen
Finance and Commercial Lead in London employer: Beazley
Beazley is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee experience, empowerment, and wellbeing within a dynamic finance environment. With a strong focus on professional growth, employees benefit from attractive compensation packages, comprehensive health coverage, and a flexible working culture that supports work-life balance. The opportunity to engage with senior management and contribute to strategic financial initiatives makes this role not only rewarding but also pivotal in shaping the future of the organisation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance and Commercial Lead in London
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Beazley. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance and Commercial Lead in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Beazley.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Beazley's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Beazley
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Beazley.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Beazley will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Beazley employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
