Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic expense management and drive efficiency targets for Canada Life UK.
- Company: Join a modern, agile organisation focused on building better futures.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous pension, private medical insurance, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive culture that values diversity and encourages personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by collaborating with senior leaders and shaping financial strategies.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with strong analytical skills and finance oversight experience.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Location: London, Watford or Bristol
Canada Life UK looks after the retirement, investment and protection needs of individuals, families and companies. We help to build better futures for our customers, our intermediaries and our employees by operating as a modern, agile and welcoming organisation. Part of our parent company Great‑West Lifeco, Canada Life UK has operated in the United Kingdom since 1903. We have hundreds of respected and supported employees committed to doing the right thing for our customers and colleagues. Canada Life UK is transforming to create a more customer‑focused business by providing our customers with expertise on financial and tax planning, offering home finance and annuities propositions, and providing collective fund solutions to third party customers.
The Opportunity
This role leads strategic expense management for Canada Life UK, ensuring we deliver our near and long term expense efficiency targets through robust planning, transparent performance management, and timely challenge and escalation of risks and opportunities. You will work closely with senior leaders including the CEO, CFO, ExCo members and senior functional leaders to maintain clear accountability and a consistent, credible view of performance. You will also own the ongoing development and governance of the UK expense allocation framework, partnering closely with function directors and actuarial teams to ensure allocation impacts are understood, communicated clearly and reflected appropriately in business planning, actuarial views and financial decision making. The role acts as a key interface with Lifeco on expense related queries and supports internal and external messaging on changes to the expense base and the impact on externally reported expense KPIs. You will be a member of the Financial Performance Leadership Team and lead a team of 4-5 colleagues.
What you’ll be doing
- Providing enterprise wide leadership and oversight across the UK expense agenda, including driving delivery of UK expense efficiency targets through robust planning, transparent performance management and clear accountability.
- Owning the UK operating expense outlook (budget, forecast and longer term plan), providing senior challenge on functional inputs, assumptions and phasing.
- Ensuring the expense impacts of growth, efficiency initiatives and external factors are fully reflected in plans and decision making.
- Leading governance of the UK expense allocation framework, ensuring methodologies are robust, transparent and suitable for internal and external reporting.
- Providing senior financial challenge to Executive and Operational leaders on cost drivers, savings plans and trade offs (cost, risk, delivery capacity and strategic outcomes), escalating material risks through appropriate forums.
- Working closely with the Head of Financial Management - Change to ensure transformation impacts are understood and embedded into the BAU budget, forecast and plan - including clear separation and linkage between BAU costs, investment spend and expected efficiency benefits.
- Owning the Finance MI used to monitor expense performance and efficiency delivery, ensuring reporting is insight led, decision focused and highlights required actions.
- Working jointly with Reporting and the wider Financial Performance team to provide a single, consistent UK Finance response to Lifeco, covering Group queries and disclosure‑aligned KPI narrative.
- Leading targeted reviews and analysis to improve understanding of expense drivers and strengthen cost discipline, translating insight into clear recommendations for senior leaders.
- Leading and developing your team, contributing to the overall leadership and direction of the Finance function.
What you’ll bring
- Technical expertise: Qualified accountant with extensive experience in UK financial services (insurance experience ideal). Demonstrable track record operating in a Finance oversight role in a financial services organisation. Strong quantitative analytical skills and strong financial and risk management capability.
- Communication and influence: Excellent communication skills, able to address technical and non-technical audiences in formal and informal settings. Strong stakeholder management and ability to collaborate across the business to influence and secure buy in, including at C Suite level.
- Leadership: Strong leadership and team development skills; proactive approach to identifying and managing risks.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
Benefits of working at Canada Life
We believe in recognising and rewarding our people, so we offer a competitive salary and benefits package that’s regularly reviewed. As a Canada Life UK colleague, you’ll receive a competitive salary and comprehensive reward package including a generous pension and bonus scheme, along with income protection, private medical insurance and life assurance. We have a fantastic number of other benefits and support services as well as regular personal and professional development.
How we work at Canada Life
Our culture is unique and incredibly important to us. We care about doing the right thing for our people, customers and community and helping others to build better futures. Our blueprint behaviours shape and influence how we work, and are central to the relationships we have with others. Every day we are encouraged to be more curious, own the outcome, face into things together and find a way forward.
Diversity and inclusion
Building an inclusive workplace with a diverse workforce where everyone can feel they belong and achieve their potential regardless of gender, ethnicity or any other characteristic is a key commitment for us. We are proud of the progress we’re making in DEI, and we continue for it to be a significant focus.
Head of Strategic Expense Management employer: Canada Life
Contact Detail:
Canada Life Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Strategic Expense Management
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections on LinkedIn or at industry events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. We want to show that we’re not just a good fit for the role, but also for the team. Tailor your answers to reflect how you align with their values and goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or use online platforms. We can’t stress enough how important it is to be comfortable talking about your experience and skills in a way that resonates with the interviewers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A simple thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to reiterate why you’re the best fit!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Strategic Expense Management
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Strategic Expense Management role. Highlight your experience in financial oversight and expense management, and don’t forget to showcase your leadership skills. We want to see how you can drive efficiency and performance!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for Canada Life UK. Mention specific examples of how you've tackled expense management challenges in the past and how you can contribute to our mission of building better futures.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since this role involves working closely with senior leaders, it's crucial to demonstrate your excellent communication skills. Use clear and concise language in your application, and consider including examples of how you've influenced stakeholders in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the position there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Canada Life
✨Know Your Numbers
As the Head of Strategic Expense Management, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've driven expense efficiency in previous roles. Use specific examples that highlight your analytical skills and ability to manage budgets effectively.
✨Communicate Clearly
This role involves working closely with senior leaders, so strong communication skills are a must. Practice explaining complex financial concepts in simple terms. Be prepared to showcase your ability to influence stakeholders at all levels, especially when discussing cost drivers and savings plans.
✨Showcase Leadership Experience
You'll be leading a team, so it's essential to highlight your leadership style and experience. Think of examples where you've developed your team or managed risks effectively. Be ready to discuss how you foster collaboration and accountability within your team and across departments.
✨Understand the Company Culture
Canada Life values doing the right thing for their people and customers. Familiarise yourself with their culture and values, and think about how your personal values align with theirs. During the interview, express your commitment to diversity and inclusion, as well as your proactive approach to building better futures.