Resourcing Planning Manager

Location: London (Hybrid working options available)

The Finance Function is transforming and our vision is to develop a Finance team that excels at providing the appropriate level of insight and support to enable the business to meet its strategic objectives, drive timely and data-driven decisions - all with financial understanding at the core. Our vision is supported by 6 key principles which are to:

• Embrace technology
• Be strategic
• Be timely and efficient
• Think data
• Focussed development
• Strengthen analytics and insight

As part of this evolution and our modernisation programme, the role holder will focus on ensuring all existing and incoming project initiatives that require SME resources primarily in Financial Control are assessed and planned for in accordance with available resource and to realistic timelines. The role holder will need to have strong stakeholder management skills; working closely with Finance teams and other key stakeholders (internal & external) to ensure that initiatives are appropriately prioritised, and resources are assigned to support end to end delivery of requirements. This role requires a blend of technical finance expertise, system knowledge, leadership, and a strong understanding of the UK life insurance industry and its regulatory framework.

Key Duties/Responsibilities

• Engage in workforce planning to allow for project demands from global and local initiatives to be met with forecasted resource availability.
• Ensure suitable resource allocation to allow for the right skills and capabilities are utilised in meeting the demands of projects.
• Collaborate closely with BAU team leads to manage the team resources entering realigning to change activity.
• Embed and manage an effective timesheet system that measures time & effort savings gained from running change activities (as part of Finance Modernisation).
• Excellent communicator that can liaise effectively with stakeholders at all levels, both verbally and in written form.
• Partner with finance, actuarial, IT, and operational teams to understand requirements and help deliver system solutions that align with business objectives.
• Act as the liaison between BAU finance teams, the wider Finance Change team and external consultants or vendors where relevant for resourcing of change activity.
• Strong coordinator of team resources to align to key project management principles against a project timelines and deliverables at various levels.
• Applies strong risk management approach to utilising resources effectively and appropriate to the levels of complexity as defined by each project.
• Adaptable to changing project requirements and organisational priorities.
• Proficient with tools that help with resource and project management e.g. JIRA, MS Project.
• Ability to lead and motivate a team of SMEs across different disciplines.
• Adept at conflict resolution both within and between project teams relating to resource allocation.
• Ability to apply strategic thinking and business acumen so that resource management can best support overall business objectives.
• Understands, keeps up to date and applies industry developments, regulatory changes and best practice with respect to finance systems and innovative thinking, sharing to provide solutions.
• Committed to continuously improve resource management process and practices.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

• Demonstrable track record in finance transformation projects and/or system migrations.
• Enhanced analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Drives teams and sets the pace, ensuring teams are working towards delivery commitments.
• Knowledge of process automation tools and technologies (e.g., RPA, Alteryx, Python or Power BI).
• Proven experience in understanding finance systems within a life insurance or financial services organisation in the UK from a finance user perspective.
• General understanding of financial reporting requirements, including IFRS 17, Solvency II, and UK GAAP.
• General understanding of finance systems such as Prophet, SAP, or similar ERP solutions.
• Strong leadership and collaboration skills, fostering teamwork across department.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Proven track record at delivering multiple priorities each with defined requirements within tight deadlines.
• Excellent Planning and forecasting experience.
• Able to manage team dynamics and lead collaboration.
• Strong relationship management capability in developing and maintaining relationships at all levels with external parties and internal 'customers'.
• Demonstrable ability to navigate through uncertainty and provide solutions when working through ambiguity.

Qualifications

• Professional accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent) or by experience.