At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the strategy and delivery of sustainability technology to drive impactful change.
- Company: Join M&G, a pioneering firm with over 175 years of innovation in finance.
- Benefits: Enjoy 38 days annual leave, a generous pension scheme, and flexible working options.
- Other info: We embrace diversity and inclusivity, welcoming applicants from all backgrounds.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in sustainability while leading a global team of experts.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in sustainability or ESG technology is essential.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
At M&G, our purpose is to give everyone real confidence to put their money to work. With a heritage dating back more than 175 years, we have a long history of innovation in savings and investments, combining asset management and insurance expertise to offer a wide range of solutions. Our two distinct operating segments, Asset Management and Life, work together to provide access to balanced, long-term investment and savings solutions.
The Role:
The Head of Sustainability Platform owns the strategy, delivery and operation of the technology and data capabilities that support the organisation’s sustainability ambitions, investment activities, client commitments, corporate reporting and regulatory obligations. As the principal technology partner to Sustainability, the role leads a globally distributed, cross-functional team and is accountable for a coherent roadmap, effective delivery and a secure, resilient, scalable and cost-effective sustainability technology ecosystem.
Key Accountabilities:
- Set the Sustainability Technology strategy, target architecture and multi-year roadmap, aligning stakeholders, priorities and investment to measurable business, client, regulatory and control outcomes.
- Ensure Sustainability capabilities are embedded within the wider enterprise architecture, reusing and extending common data, technology and operational capabilities rather than creating standalone solutions.
- Own cross-platform delivery planning, ensuring dependencies are identified and resolved early, required teams commit to delivery, and the integrated roadmap is achievable.
- Own delivery and platform performance, using clear measures to improve quality, predictability, adoption, cost, control effectiveness, security and operational resilience.
- Build a scalable sustainability data and technology capability that enables investment decision-making, stewardship, product development, client servicing and corporate and regulatory reporting.
- Simplify and rationalise the technology estate through consolidation onto common platforms, reuse of enterprise data products and integration capabilities, and active reduction of technical debt.
- Own solution design quality and governance across the Sustainability platform, partnering with Enterprise, Solution and Data Architects to secure timely review and approval through the relevant architecture, design and data governance forums.
- Use automation, analytics and AI to improve research, data operations, reporting, controls and user experience within appropriate governance.
- Manage budgets, investment cases, suppliers and commercial performance to deliver service quality and value for money.
- Lead the multidisciplinary global team, continuously improving ways of working, domain capability, accountability, engagement and stakeholder confidence.
- Use clear measures of team effectiveness and stakeholder sentiment to improve ways of working, domain capability, engagement, adoption and stakeholder confidence.
Key Skills, Competencies and Experience:
- Leadership and Experience
- Essential senior leadership experience in sustainability or ESG technology within asset management or financial services.
- End-to-end ownership of a business-critical technology capability spanning strategy, investment, delivery, live service and benefits realisation.
- Leadership of globally distributed, multidisciplinary teams, matrix resources, strategic partners and organisational change.
- Commercial and financial leadership covering technology budgets, investment cases, suppliers and specialist data and technology vendors.
- Strategic judgement, communication and influencing skills, with the ability to align senior stakeholders and translate complexity into clear decisions.
- Sustainability, Data and Technology Expertise
- Expert knowledge of how sustainability is embedded across investment, risk, stewardship, product management, client servicing and corporate reporting.
- Deep understanding of sustainability and ESG data, methodologies, models, calculations, vendor content and associated governance and controls.
- Knowledge of climate, nature and stewardship capabilities and the sustainability disclosure and regulatory landscape relevant to asset managers.
- Ability to challenge business requirements, data models, architectures, solution designs, methodologies, controls and operating-model implications.
- Understanding of data governance, cloud, integration, workflow, automation, analytics, AI, cybersecurity, privacy, resilience and technology risk in regulated financial services.
Location: London
What we offer:
We’re dedicated to supporting your wellbeing and helping you thrive, both at work and beyond. Our benefits are designed to help you balance your professional and personal life, and financially plan for the future. Our UK benefits include:
- A valuable pension scheme of up to 18% (13% made up of employer contributions and 5% employee contributions).
- Access to our Share Save and Share Incentive Plan, alongside financial wellbeing and support services.
- Enjoy 38 days annual leave (including bank holidays), with the opportunity to purchase up to five extra days.
- Our Time Off When You Need It policy gives you the flexibility to balance work and personal commitments.
- Our market-leading Inspiring Families policy includes comprehensive support and paid parental leave covering maternity, adoption, surrogacy, and paternity leave.
- Health & Protection cover includes Private Healthcare, Critical Illness cover and Life Assurance for you, with additional family options.
At M&G we strive to have a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture, underpinned by our policies and employee-led networks that offer networking, support and development opportunities for the diverse communities our colleagues represent. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds – across gender, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation and more – including neurodivergent individuals, career returners and those with military service experience.
M&G is proud to be Level 3: Disability Confident Leader under the UK Government Disability Confident employer scheme, and we welcome applications from candidates with disabilities and long-term health conditions. If you would like to participate in the initiative, you will have the opportunity to indicate this on your application.
We are committed to providing an inclusive recruitment process. All candidates have the opportunity to request reasonable adjustments when applying. If you need any additional support at any stage, please contact us at: careers@mandg.com
Head of Sustainability Platform employer: M&G plc
M&G plc is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises professional growth and development. As a Strategic Adviser Relationships Specialist, you will benefit from comprehensive training programmes and the chance to engage with a diverse range of financial products, all while working in a supportive team environment that values innovation and collaboration.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Sustainability Platform
✨Dive into Environmental Networks
Get involved with sustainability-focused organisations and attend their events. Look for local meetups or conferences in environmental management where you can connect with professionals in the field. This can lead to insider info on job openings at companies like M&G plc that might not be advertised widely.
✨Show Your Passion with Projects
Consider undertaking personal or community projects that highlight your dedication to sustainability. Whether it's a local clean-up or a carbon footprint assessment, document your findings and results. This not only boosts your portfolio but also shows potential employers like M&G plc that you're proactive and serious about the field.
✨Seek Out Green Job Boards
Don’t just rely on general job boards. Explore specific platforms that focus on sustainability and environmental management roles. Websites like EnvironmentJobs and Sustainable Business can be goldmines for full-time positions at companies like M&G plc. Keep an eye out for their aggregation of listings!
✨Let Your Online Presence Shine
Make sure your social media and professional profiles reflect your passion for sustainability. Share articles, engage in discussions, and connect with leaders in the field. Your active presence can make a lasting impression on hiring managers at companies like M&G plc when they search for candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Sustainability Platform
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Passion for Sustainability:In your cover letter, let your enthusiasm for sustainability shine through. Share any relevant experiences, like projects, volunteer work, or events you've participated in that align with M&G plc's values. This position isn't just about meeting qualifications; it's about genuinely caring for the environment and showing us why you're the right fit for Head of Sustainability Platform.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications and Experience:Make sure to showcase any specific qualifications, such as degrees in environmental science or certifications in sustainability practices in your CV. We want to see how your academic background and practical experiences align with the job you're applying for, so don’t hold back on anything that demonstrates your expertise in environmental management.
Tailor Your CV to the Role:As we're looking for someone to jump into a full-time role, be specific about previous roles or projects that demonstrate your capabilities in sustainability. Use bullet points to make accomplishments clear, and don’t forget to quantify your achievements wherever possible – it’s all about showing us the impact of your work!
Research M&G plc and Reflect It In Your Application:We love candidates who take the time to understand what we're about. Mention specific initiatives or projects that M&G plc is known for in your cover letter. This shows us that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely excited about the chance to contribute to our mission in the role of Head of Sustainability Platform.
How to prepare for a job interview at M&G plc
✨Brush Up on Environmental Legislation
Given that we're diving into sustainability and environmental management, it’s crucial to have a solid understanding of current environmental laws and regulations. Be prepared to discuss how these laws apply to real-world scenarios, as you might face some technical questions about compliance and best practices during your chat with M&G plc.
✨Showcase Your Experience with Sustainability Projects
When you're discussing your background, highlight specific sustainability initiatives you've been involved in. Whether it’s a project at university or work experience, sharing measurable outcomes and your role will demonstrate your hands-on skills, which is super important for this full-time role at M&G plc.
✨Familiarity with Tools and Software
Make sure you're familiar with any relevant tools or software commonly used in environmental management, like GIS for mapping or data analysis tools. Bring this up in your interview as it shows you’re not only passionate but also prepared to roll up your sleeves and get to work!
✨Connect Your Values with the Company's Mission
Full-time roles are all about team fit, so it’s important to align your personal values with those of M&G plc. Be ready to discuss why you're passionate about sustainability and how you can contribute to their mission, as this will really resonate with the interviewers and show that you’re genuinely invested in their goals.
