At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead research to understand audiences and drive business strategy with actionable insights.
- Company: Join a historic savings and investments firm committed to innovation and inclusivity.
- Benefits: Enjoy 38 days annual leave, a generous pension scheme, and comprehensive health cover.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements and a culture of continuous improvement await you.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping business strategies through deep audience insights.
- Qualifications: Experience in audience research, data analysis, and stakeholder management required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
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
M&G is seeking a passionate Business Research Manager. This role will work closely with the Head of Customer and Adviser Insight to provide a deep understanding of our audience and market. This is a new role, demanding a significant level of strategic thinking and commercial acumen, allied with strong stakeholder management and exceptional presentation skills to elevate, validate and communicate the value of insight to senior business stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop a deep understanding of our audiences, working closely with senior leaders to develop the insight that informs our business positioning.
- Combine market, tracking and industry insight to enhance our understanding of audiences and how this aligns with our business strategy.
- Create segments and personas for our audiences to ensure we position M&G and our products effectively.
- Build and articulate a strong understanding of our brand position and performance in comparison to our competitors.
- Deliver actionable insights into the business to understand how we can maximise our presence in the market.
- Measure and track our marketing and advertising performance and its impact on brand sentiment.
- The work will cover both the Customer/Client and Adviser audiences to deliver joined‑up holistic insight.
- Strong agency management, which continually challenges and iterates the approach and evolves the programmes to enhance our insights against developing business needs.
- Collaborate and influence senior stakeholders across the organisation to clearly communicate findings and drive customer‑centred improvements.
- Collaborate with the insight colleagues to share knowledge and best practice, foster continuous improvement and deliver stronger combined insights.
Key Knowledge, Skills & Experience
- Experience of developing and tracking deep audience understanding that focuses on business growth.
- Experience of managing and combining the insights from different audience trackers and bespoke research to deliver holistic insight that can inform business strategy.
- Experience of challenging and evolving existing insight infrastructure to ensure deep insights and an evolving programme.
- Experience of owning the entire journey and relationships for the research.
- Experience of audience tracking as well as qualitative and quantitative research design.
- Experience of managing multiple tracking studies simultaneously.
- Experience of segmentation studies and related activation strategies.
- Experience of using secondary data alongside primary data to strengthen or discover new insights.
- The ability to simplify data and big themes into easily shareable, impactful and actionable insights.
- Excellent presentation skills with the ability to land key messages and respond to challenge from stakeholders.
- Excellent communication (writing and verbal) skills, capable of translating insights into clear business actions.
- Ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels.
- High level of proficiency in understanding and implementing different techniques dependent on the business need.
- Ability to present and lead meetings at the executive board level.
- A proactive attitude, enthusiasm to drive change and support of a culture of continuous improvement.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Our market‑leading Inspiring Families policy includes comprehensive support and paid parental leave covering maternity, adoption, surrogacy, and paternity leave.
- Health & Protection cover including Private Healthcare, Critical Illness cover and Life Assurance for you, with family options.
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
Business Research Manager employer: M&G
At M&G, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of inclusivity and support, particularly for our Business Research Manager role. With a commitment to employee wellbeing, we offer a generous benefits package including an 18% pension scheme, extensive annual leave, and comprehensive family support policies, all within a collaborative environment that encourages professional growth and innovation in the heart of London, Reading, Stirling, or Edinburgh.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Research Manager
✨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 M&G. 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 Business Research Manager
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 M&G.
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 M&G'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 M&G
✨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 M&G.
✨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 M&G 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 M&G 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.