Chief of Staff – Finance (Group CFO Office) in London

Chief of Staff – Finance (Group CFO Office) in London

London Full-Time 60000 - 80000 Β£ / year (est.) No working from home possible
M

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support the Group CFO in executing finance strategy and managing key governance processes.
  • Company: Join a leading savings and investments firm with over 175 years of innovation.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive pension scheme, 38 days annual leave, and flexible working options.
  • Other info: Great development opportunity with a focus on talent and diversity.
  • Why this job: Be a trusted adviser and shape the future of finance in a dynamic environment.
  • Qualifications: Strong relationship-building skills and experience in project management required.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 Β£ 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. 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.

Role Context: This role operates at the intersection of strategy, governance, and execution within the Group CFO Office. A typical month will involve producing the CFO Report for GEC and Board, managing the Finance governance calendar, preparing briefings ahead of meetings, coordinating talent and resourcing matters, driving the Finance Leadership Team's operational rhythm, and leading internal communications. The role requires the ability to switch rapidly between high-level strategic thinking and detailed operational delivery. The Chief of Staff ensures that nothing falls through the cracks and that the Group CFO and Finance Leadership Team are always well-prepared, well-informed, and well-represented.

The Role (Chief of Staff – Finance) Fixed Term Contract: The Finance Chief of Staff acts as a trusted adviser and right hand to the Group Chief Financial Officer, enabling the successful delivery of the Group CFO's strategy, plan, and day-to-day effectiveness. The role operates across the Finance Leadership Team (FLT) and key governance forums (at both executive and Board levels) to ensure alignment, quality of output, and timely delivery of all Finance commitments. They work with a broad range of internal stakeholders – including FLT members, ExCo members, Board members, Company Secretariat, HR, Internal Communications, and the CEO Office – as well as external parties as relevant. They will be expected to develop deep, trust-based relationships across all levels and geographies.

They provide value through combining strong commercial and technical judgement with an ability to ensure materials have clear, Board-appropriate narratives, challenging where appropriate and always ensuring the Group CFO is well-prepared and well-represented. They will also provide appropriate support to the Group CFO's direct reports, acting as a first point of contact and delegate when required. This is a great development opportunity for an organized, numerically literate, methodical, self-starter, empathetic and dynamic individual to help shape a key part of the function and who can work autonomously and has robust stakeholder management skills.

Key Responsibilities: The CoS plays a vital role in executing Finance's strategic vision by coordinating the information around strategic priorities and streamlining executive decision-making. The role (i) enhances the effectiveness of the Group CFO and Finance Leadership Team, (ii) ensures alignment with long-term business objectives (both at Group level and at the function level), and (iii) acts as the operational backbone of the CFO Office.

  • CFO Report and Board/Committee Papers: Own and produce the CFO Report end-to-end – from coordinating inputs across teams, to ensuring executive commentary is appropriate, and managing the submission timeline with the Company Secretariat. Ensure all Finance papers for key governance forums are of the highest quality, appropriately messaged, and submitted on time.
  • Governance Calendar and Action Tracking: Manage the Finance governance calendar and action log – tracking all open actions across governance forums; coordinating paper schedules and submission deadlines with the Company Secretariat; ensuring follow-through on commitments; and proactively managing the sequencing and prioritisation of Finance deliverables across reporting cycles.
  • Finance Leadership Team Operations: Drive the operational rhythm of the Finance Leadership Team – setting agendas, preparing materials, capturing and tracking actions from regular meetings and quarterly offsites, facilitating priority-setting exercises, and ensuring follow-up on strategic commitments. Support key engagement initiatives throughout the year such as the annual Finance Roadshow and Finance Leadership Group events.
  • Communication and Engagement Strategy: Lead the Finance communication and engagement strategy – including drafting the Group CFO's internal communications (newsletters, TAP articles, all-hands messaging), curating outputs from Finance Leadership Events and Roadshows, coordinating with Internal Communications Business Partners, and ensuring a consistent and compelling narrative across all touchpoints that builds a strong Finance culture.
  • Talent, Resourcing, and DE&I: In partnership with HR, lead on key talent matters including hiring, retention, development, and succession planning. Support the function's DE&I agenda.
  • Group CFO Effectiveness: Maximise the Group CFO's effectiveness – managing and triaging priorities, preparing briefing packs and to-do lists ahead of key meetings, coordinating delegate attendance when the CFO is unavailable, and ensuring the CFO is well-briefed on all governance, commercial, and stakeholder matters at all times.
  • External Stakeholder Coordination: Coordinate engagement with key external stakeholders on behalf of the Group CFO – including auditors (e.g., PwC), investment banks, rating agencies, and regulators – ensuring the CFO is well-prepared for all external interactions and that follow-up actions are tracked and completed.
  • Special Projects and CFO Delegation: Lead special project work as directed by the Group CFO and act as a delegate for the Group CFO when required, including representing Finance in cross-functional forums and senior meetings.
  • Controls Accountability: Work collaboratively with colleagues and take personal accountability to maintain and enhance controls to support improvement of the overall control environment, customer outcomes, and a reduction in M&G plc's operational risk.

Key Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

  • Ability to build and manage strong relationships with senior management team members, adapting to internal dynamics and politics as required.
  • An awareness and understanding of the wider business, economic, and market environment in which M&G plc operates, including macroeconomic trends, regulatory developments, and competitive dynamics.
  • An ability to contribute to the development of the strategic direction, priorities, and plans of M&G's Finance function, constructively engaging with and challenging peers.
  • Programme and project management capability – ability to manage multiple concurrent workstreams across governance, talent, transformation, and communications with rigorous attention to deadlines and quality.
  • Significant experience of influencing and negotiation at all levels of the organisation to gain trust and respect quickly, including with internal and external stakeholders.
  • An ability to assess the effectiveness of governance, oversight, and controls across the CFO Office and, if necessary, to direct changes in these areas.
  • An awareness and understanding of the evolving regulatory framework in which M&G plc operates.
  • An ability to assess, react quickly, and decisively to problems once identified, taking tough decisions where needed and determining an appropriate course of action in any situation.
  • High level of diplomacy, discretion, and problem-solving ability – including the handling of sensitive and confidential information relating to talent, remuneration, and governance matters.
  • Strong personal presence and resilience with the gravitas to operate effectively in a complex, matrix environment across multiple geographies.
  • Intellectually agile and able to grasp the dynamics of an increasingly complex industry landscape affected by economic and regulatory considerations.
  • Financial literacy and commercial awareness – ability to understand and challenge CFO Reports to the GEC and the Board, plus other relevant Finance materials ensuring clear and coherent executive narratives; understanding of insurance and asset management economics.
  • Strong written communication skills – ability to review and draft as needed Board-level papers, executive summaries, cover notes, and internal communications with clarity, precision, and appropriate tone; ability to synthesise complex financial and strategic information into compelling, concise narratives for senior audiences.

This role is a fixed term contract.

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...
M

Contact Details:

M&gprudential Recruitment Team

We think you need these skills to ace Chief of Staff – Finance (Group CFO Office) in London

Strategic Thinking
Governance Management
Stakeholder Management
Project Management
Financial Literacy
Commercial Awareness
Written Communication Skills