At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the strategic evolution of distribution-focused propositions in investment management.
- Company: Join Defaqto, a trusted provider of independent financial information and ratings.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on innovation and strategic growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of fund distribution and make a real impact in the financial sector.
- Qualifications: Senior product leadership experience in investment management or B2B financial services required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
The Product Director for Distribution owns the performance, growth and strategic evolution of Defaqto’s distribution-focused propositions, including investment fund ratings, awards, reviews and consultancy designed to help investment managers successfully distribute their funds to financial advisers.
Essential Requirements
- Senior product or commercial leadership experience, ideally within investment management, asset servicing, financial research or B2B financial services.
- Strong understanding of how investment managers market funds to advisers and influence fund selection.
About Defaqto
We are one of the UK’s most trusted providers of independent financial information, ratings and market intelligence, helping consumers, advisers and financial institutions make smarter financial decisions. We maintain the UK’s largest financial product database and deliver expert, unbiased product ratings - including our industry-recognised Star Ratings - which assess product quality across insurance, banking, investments, pensions and more.
This role is accountable for both Operate and Grow outcomes — ensuring today’s propositions deliver against commercial, customer and brand expectations, while identifying and validating future opportunities that materially improve how relevant and valuable Defaqto is to investment providers — not just as a data or ratings business, but as a partner that genuinely helps them distribute more effectively in an increasingly competitive adviser market.
What you'll do
Operate (driving performance today)
- Own revenue performance across ratings, awards, reviews and consultancy, measured against budget.
- Analyse sales performance, pipeline health and conversion in partnership with Commercial teams.
- Assess the pricing model (price to value), customer satisfaction, renewal and churn, identifying where propositions are not delivering sufficient perceived value.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of different proposition types (e.g., ratings vs awards vs sponsored content vs speaking opportunities) in helping investment managers achieve their distribution goals, potentially consolidating disparate propositions from acquired entities into a smaller number of more coherent offerings.
- Work with Insight, Sales, Marketing and Customer Success to identify and execute improvement initiatives where propositions underperform.
- Ensure that propositions remain commercially compelling, credible and differentiated in a competitive market.
Grow (shaping what comes next)
- Develop a deep understanding of how investment managers market funds to advisers, including: Adviser segmentation and targeting strategies, the role of ratings, awards and independent validation in fund selection, and the effectiveness of thought leadership, insight, events and consultancy.
- Maintain strong awareness of competitor approaches, emerging distribution models and regulatory or behavioural trends.
- Identify opportunities to improve the effectiveness of existing propositions, introduce new distribution-focused offerings, and help providers better target the right firms and advisers, not just more of them.
- Lead structured discovery and validation to test which propositions resonate most strongly with investment managers and advisers.
- Build clear, evidence-based investment cases outlining customer value, commercial upside, delivery cost and strategic fit.
Strategic Leadership & Alignment
- Set a clear strategic vision for the Distribution portfolio, aligned to Defaqto’s broader growth objectives.
- Act as the senior product authority for distribution-focused propositions.
- Ownership of strategy, roadmap definition and delivery execution.
- Work through matrix-managed teams across Product, Insight, Commercial, Marketing and Customer Success.
- Represent Distribution performance, risks and opportunities at senior leadership forums.
What you'll need to succeed
- We’re looking for a senior product leader with strong commercial instincts and deep understanding of investment-manager distribution.
- Senior product or commercial leadership experience, ideally within investment management, asset servicing, financial research or B2B financial services.
- Strong understanding of how investment managers market funds to advisers and influence fund selection.
- Experience evaluating the effectiveness of ratings, awards, content, insight and events as distribution tools.
- Proven ability to own revenue performance, budgets and growth targets.
- Experience building and securing approval for investment cases.
- Confidence leading cross-functional teams through influence rather than authority.
Your approach to work
- Clear, persuasive communication backed by strong analytical thinking.
- Delivery-focused.
- Comfortable working at pace.
Important to know
Location
Ideally, we'd like the successful candidate to be within a couple of hours of either our Haddenham or London offices so that some in-person collaboration can take place relatively easily. However, this is only a desirable location and we're fully open to considering candidates at other UK locations.
Right to Work
Applicants must already hold a legal right to work in the UK without time restrictions and without the need for future sponsorship. We are unable to provide Skilled Worker visa sponsorship.
Product Director - Funds Distribution employer: Defaqto
Defaqto is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in the financial services sector. With a commitment to employee growth, we provide ample opportunities for professional development and strategic leadership roles, all while being part of a trusted organisation that plays a vital role in helping investment managers succeed. Our flexible working arrangements and supportive environment make Defaqto an attractive choice for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment in the heart of the UK's financial landscape.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Product Director - Funds Distribution
✨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 Defaqto. 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 Product Director - Funds Distribution
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 Defaqto.
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 Defaqto'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 Defaqto
✨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 Defaqto.
✨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 Defaqto 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 Defaqto 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.
