SMCR Specialist ( FTC ) - M&G plc. in Reading

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. Through telling it like it is, owning it now, and moving it forward together with care and integrity; we are creating an exceptional place to work for exceptional talent. We will consider flexible working arrangements for any of our roles and also offer workplace accommodations to ensure you have what you need to effectively deliver in your role.

The role is part of a centralised team which provides Compliance support for Senior Managers & NEDs, Key Functions, Certification, Conduct Rules, Fitness and Propriety including regulatory applications, regulatory references and Responsibilities Maps. While in practice those activities are direct responsibilities of Senior Managers, the SMCR Office is a centre of excellence with deep SMCR expertise and knowledge which enables the group to understand and manage SMCR related regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Advice and Guidance
  • Provide advice on Certification including the process, assessment, requirements and categorisation.
  • Support ongoing and ad hoc reviews of the Certification population and framework.
  • SMF/NED/CERT support - Provide support and guidance to stakeholders within the business on anything SMCR or STAR system related.
  • Regulatory applications - Work with HRBP, business managers and the new SMFs to prepare evidence of the firms assessment of fitness and propriety for regulatory applications. Review supporting documents (competency maps / Induction/development plans) and provide feedback where required.
  • Briefings - Engage with new SMF to provide a briefing on SMCR, covering their roles and responsibilities when approved by the regulator along with what responsibilities will be allocated to them as part of their SMF application.
• Responsibilities maps
  • Manage Responsibilities maps (MRMs) for all UK regulated entities, including ensuring they continue to comply with relevant regulation.
  • Liaise with Company Secretariat and other stakeholders to ensure responsibilities maps are up to date.
• Training
  • Provide ad hoc training on SMCR.
  • Support provision of conduct rules training, including CBT.
• Policy governance and risk processes
  • Applicable to the SMCR, including support the annual Policy review and GGF attestations for the relevant policies.
  • Administer the maintenance of the SMCR team desk procedures and guidance materials.
• Reporting
  • Coordination of the monthly SMCR Governance Forum packs and minutes.
  • Conduct breaches - Work with Employee relations (ER) to ensure all breaches recorded and final submission is completed within the FCAs timescales.
  • Maintain tracker of all regulatory applications underway/inflight/required in future.
• System
  • Identify any issues and liaise with the SMCR system provider team to resolve these. Tracking open tickets and system performance metrics.
  • Managing and coordinating relationship with SMCR system provider.
  • Manage relationship with other systems, eg HR system.
  • Provide support with the SMCR system where required, acting as a superuser.
  • Provide cross-function support on all aspects of the SMCR team's work.

Knowledge statements

• Knowledge of the Senior Managers Certification Regime (SMCR) and its requirements and the ability to research and provide advice on detailed technical points related to SMCR across the PRA and FCA rulebooks.
• Able to present information well and create professional PowerPoint content.
• Knows how to create good MI/Reporting.
• In-depth knowledge of regulatory applications process including the systems, forms and the expectations on evidencing candidate fitness and propriety.
• Good understanding of how the FCA and PRA work.
• Able to read the rulebook and translate it into compliance advice.

Experience statements

• Previous exposure to regulation, risk and controls or a governance role is required.
• Experience in understanding and applying regulation, which could be on-the-job or from qualifications is required.
• Experience with HR Systems or SMCR Compliance systems is useful.
• Experience with MI / Reporting is desirable.
• A grounding in applying rules and requirements to people processes.
• Background in HR, Governance or Compliance.

What we offer:

At M&G, we're committed to helping you thrive and supporting your wellbeing, both at work and beyond. Our benefits are designed to help you balance your professional and personal life, while planning confidently for your future. Our UK benefits include:

• As a savings and Investments firm we are proud to offer a valuable pension scheme of 18%, with 13% made up of Employer Contributions and 5% Employee Contributions.
• We also offer Share Save and our Share Incentive Plan, together with access to financial wellbeing and support services - to help give you real confidence to put your money to work.
• Enjoy 38 days annual leave including bank holidays, with the opportunity to purchase up to 5 extra days and additional flexibility through our Time Off When You Need It policy - to balance your work and personal commitments.
• Our market leading Inspiring Families policy includes comprehensive support and paid parental leave covering maternity, adoption, surrogacy, and paternity leave - as supporting families is a core aspect of our inclusive culture.
• Health & Protection cover including Private Healthcare, Critical Illness cover and Life Assurance for you, with family options - for peace of mind.

We have a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture at M&G, underpinned by our policies and our employee-led networks who provide networking opportunities, advice and support for the diverse communities our colleagues represent. Regardless of gender, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, nationality, disability or long term condition, we are looking to attract, promote and retain exceptional people. We also welcome those who take part in military service and those returning from career breaks. M&G is also proud to be a Disability Confident Leader, and we welcome applications from candidates with long-term health conditions, disabilities, or neuro-divergent conditions. If you need assistance or an alternative means of applying for a role due to a disability or additional need, please let us know by contacting us at: careers@mandg.com