Business Manager

Are you ready to chart your own career path? With our refreshed strategy, we're building on our rich heritage and transforming our business to be more scalable and efficient, unlocking the capabilities needed for future success. This includes significantly investing in technology, streamlining the way we work and creating an environment where colleagues feel engaged, empowered and accountable; where they can show up, speak up and perform - because we believe in the difference our work makes.

At a glance:

• Location: London - Lombard Street Office
• Workplace Type: Hybrid
• Employment Type: Permanent
• Seniority: Mid‑Senior Level

In this role, you'll act as a trusted adviser and partner to the Group Investment Director, providing comprehensive support across all aspects of their responsibilities, including their position as CEO of the Unit Trust company and their executive responsibility for discretionary fund management business. You'll assist in overseeing teams of 200+ employees, managing key stakeholders, and ensuring the Group Investment Director is fully prepared for key meetings. Your responsibilities will encompass drafting and managing meeting notes, preparing detailed board reports, and coordinating tasks across the Investment division to drive efficiency and alignment. This role requires strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills to ensure the Group Investment Director's priorities are clearly documented, communicated, and delivered effectively. You will work closely with the leadership team, executive and business assistants to facilitate seamless communication, track progress on key initiatives, and ensure that board reporting and follow‑ups are handled with precision. By maintaining comprehensive records and ensuring alignment across teams, this role supports the Group Investment Director in managing both strategic and operational priorities effectively.

What you'll be doing:

• You'll work closely with the Group Investment Director in their duties and ensure that their regulatory and statutory obligations across multiple entities and jurisdictions are met and evidenced.
• Track relevant board (PLC, UTG & RD Board), and Group Executive Committee (GEC) responsibilities/actions closely ensuring these are met by the Group Investment Director and/or their wider team.
• You will work with the leadership team and executive/business assistants to ensure efficient, timely and effective collation and presentation of content for divisional meetings, board papers and steering committees.
• You will review reports on behalf of the Group Investment Director, producing executive summaries and identifying where response or decisions are required.
• You’ll contribute to and support the development of the strategic business plan, ensuring that it is well‑understood across the team, our stakeholders, monitoring, and reporting on progress against our strategic targets.
• You will partner with Group Risk in respect of the functions’ risk register and RCSA process, ensuring that due focus is applied on risks affecting the delivery of the strategy, or wider risks across the Group, and that appropriate steps are taken to mitigate them.
• Support the leadership team as required to maintain project documentation, coordinate meetings and events and report on project delivery status.
• You will collaborate and support Finance in handling the Group Investment Directors spend and budget, including tracking overall expenditures, headcount, and expense claims.
• Alongside the Risk & Governance Investments team, you’ll develop and oversee a business continuity plan for the team.

Who we're looking for:

• Demonstrable knowledge/experience in a role as a Business Partner/Manager supporting C‑suite members, within financial services or investments.
• An analytical mindset with a track record of driving operational efficiency and business improvements.
• Experience in a successful operations and/or project management role, with excellent knowledge of operational concepts, practices and procedures.
• Comfortable working with all leadership levels, and particularly with our C‑suite leaders, and be skilled at building and managing relationships with which to achieve the right outcomes for the team and business.
• Good understanding/practical experience of project management principles and project co‑ordination as well as previous report‑writing/board paper experience.
• Budgeting experience and understanding of key people regulatory and certification requirements in relation to the FCA’s Senior Manager Regime.
• Proven experience in the asset management industry, including strong knowledge of financial analysis, risk assessment and investment strategies to optimise performance.
• An awareness of financial services sector trends and issues, the regulatory environment in which we operate and the external marketplace, will all provide important context to succeed in this role.
• Good knowledge of the SJP distribution model and Partnership.
• Credible operations/project management professional with gravitas, track record and capability to build trusted relationships.
• Strong financial acumen with the ability to interpret investment and business performance data.
• MBA, CFA, or equivalent qualification is advantageous.

Special Requirements:

• Strong in‑office presence required with some flexibility around working hours expected from time to time.

What’s in it for you?

• We reward you for the work you do, whether that’s through our discretionary annual bonus scheme that reflects both personal and company performance, competitive annual leave allowance (28 days plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase an additional 5 days), or online rewards platform with a variety of discounts.
• Competitive parental leave (26 weeks full pay)
• Private medical insurance (optional taxable benefit)
• 10% non‑contributory pension (increasing with length of service)

Reasonable Adjustments

We’re an equal‑opportunity employer and want to ensure our recruitment process is accessible and inclusive for all. If you require reasonable adjustment(s) at any stage please let us know by emailing us at careers@sjp.co.uk. Research tells us that applicants (especially those from under‑represented groups) can be put off from applying for a role if they do not meet all the criteria or have been on an extended career break. If you think you would be a good match for this role and can demonstrate some transferable experience please apply, regardless of whether you tick every box.