At a Glance
- Tasks: Support strategic planning and drive operational excellence across diverse software companies.
- Company: Join a leading software group with a focus on innovation and growth.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible work options, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Dynamic role with excellent career advancement potential in a fast-paced environment.
- Why this job: Be a key player in shaping the future of software solutions globally.
- Qualifications: Relevant degree and experience in strategy or operations; strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 75000 £ per year.
The Vesta Software Group acquires, manages, and builds software companies in a variety of vertical markets, enabling them to be clear leaders in their industries. Our companies provide mission-critical enterprise solutions for vertical industries across the entire industry value chain.
Being a portfolio group of Jonas Software (within Constellation Software Inc.), the Vesta Software Group is all about strengthening businesses within the markets in which we compete and enabling them to grow – whether through organic measures such as new initiatives and product development, day-to-day business, or through acquisitions.
Role Overview: The Associate, Portfolio Development for the Ceres Software Group (Non-Payments division) plays a pivotal role in enabling the Portfolio Director and senior leadership team to operate with clarity, alignment, and strategic focus. This role operates in a Chief of Staff–type capacity to the Portfolio Director, acting as a force multiplier by extending leadership bandwidth. It ensures strategic priorities are delivered, enables seamless communication, and supports portfolio businesses through integration, operational excellence, and sustainable growth.
The Associate will work across multiple jurisdictions, cultures, and business units, supporting the portfolio’s mission to grow, adopt best practices, strengthen governance, and accelerate value creation while respecting the autonomy of each operating company. It is recognised as a strong development role for the future commercial leadership at CSI.
Key Responsibilities- Strategic Planning & Portfolio Alignment: Partner with the Portfolio Director to define, track, and communicate strategic priorities across Ceres Software Group. Translate high‑level objectives into actionable plans, ensuring alignment across product, operations, finance, HR, and customer‑facing teams. Prepare briefing materials, strategic updates, and board‑level documentation to support decision‑making and portfolio visibility.
- Operational Excellence & Execution: Drive cross‑portfolio initiatives, including integration projects, process harmonisation, and operational improvements. Monitor progress against KPIs, identifying risks, dependencies, and opportunities for acceleration. Support the development and implementation of scalable frameworks across onboarding, compliance, reporting, and governance.
- Leadership Support & Internal Communication: Act as a trusted advisor and sometimes Deputy to the Portfolio Director, providing insight, challenge, and structured thinking to complex issues. Facilitate effective communication across the leadership team, ensuring clarity of expectations, timelines, and responsibilities. Coordinate leadership meetings, offsites, and quarterly business reviews, ensuring agendas, materials, and follow‑ups are well‑managed and closed out.
- Cross‑Functional Coordination: Serve as a central point of contact between the portfolio and Vesta Software Group’s central functions (Finance, HR, Legal, M&A, IT). Support integration of newly acquired businesses into the Portfolio, ensuring smooth onboarding and alignment with portfolio standards. Partner with HR to support talent planning, organisational design, and leadership development.
- Project & Initiative Leadership: Lead or support high‑impact projects such as new markets, product rationalisation, customer experience improvements, compliance readiness, or operational restructuring. Ensure project governance, documentation, and reporting are consistent and transparent. Drive continuous improvement by identifying inefficiencies and proposing pragmatic, scalable solutions.
- Data, Insights & Reporting: Oversee preparation of portfolio dashboards, performance reports, and operational insights at and above CSI standards. Ensure data accuracy and consistency across business units, supporting informed decision‑making. Partner with finance and operations teams to support forecasting, budgeting, and performance tracking.
- Relevant university degree with a global mindset.
- Experience in Chief of Staff, Strategy, Operations, PMO, or senior advisory roles within software, or consulting environments.
- Understanding of SaaS metrics, operational frameworks and cross‑functional leadership. Or, a strong interest and learning capability in these areas.
- Strong communication skills to translate complexity into clarity for diverse audiences.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, navigate ambiguity, and drive outcomes in a decentralised organisation.
- Experience working across multiple jurisdictions and cultures, ideally within Europe.
- High emotional intelligence, discretion, and the ability to build trust quickly with senior leaders and operating company teams.
- Strategic thinker with a bias for action.
- Highly organised, detail‑oriented, and proactive.
- Collaborative, diplomatic, and able to influence without authority.
- Comfortable operating in a fast‑paced, evolving environment.
- Values transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Based in the UK or India, with periodic travel to operating companies and Ceres offices as required.
Associate, Portfolio Development employer: More About Jonas Software
The Vesta Software Group is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. With a strong commitment to employee growth, the Associate role provides unique opportunities for professional development within a global network, all while being part of a company that values transparency and operational excellence. Located in the UK or India, employees benefit from a diverse environment that encourages cross-cultural engagement and strategic impact across multiple jurisdictions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate, Portfolio Development
✨Dive Into Corporate Strategy Communities
Get yourself involved in online communities or forums focused on corporate strategy. Places like LinkedIn groups or specific Slack channels can hook you up with industry insights, trends, and many potential job leads. Don't hesitate to share your thoughts or ask questions; it’ll boost your visibility!
✨Attend Industry Conferences and Events
Keep an eye out for corporate strategy conferences or networking events in your area (or online!). These gatherings are gold mines for meeting hiring managers and making impactful connections. Plus, having a few good conversations can lead to job referrals at companies like More About Jonas Software!
✨Showcase Your Strategy Skills
Create content that showcases your knowledge of corporate strategy—think reports, blogs, or even video discussions. Sharing these on platforms like LinkedIn or Medium can demonstrate your expertise and make you stand out to employers looking for fresh talent.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply for the Associate, Portfolio Development position at More About Jonas Software via our website! This shows your genuine interest, and who knows, you might just land that interview in a matter of days. Keep your application focused on how you can add value to their strategy team.
We think you need these skills to ace Associate, Portfolio Development
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Strategic Thinking:When crafting your CV and cover letter, highlight your strategic analysis skills. Focus on past experiences where you've effectively assessed market trends or made impactful recommendations. Evidence-based achievements, like improving processes or contributing to significant projects, will help us see your potential for driving corporate strategy at More About Jonas Software.
Tailor Your Narrative:Don’t just send us a generic application! Personalise your cover letter by connecting your experiences and aspirations to More About Jonas Software’s mission and goals. We love seeing candidates who genuinely understand what we do; share how your vision aligns with ours and what you can bring to the table.
Highlight Relevant Academic Credentials:In your CV, make sure to showcase your academic background, especially if you have qualifications in business, economics, or analytics. We appreciate candidates who can back up their skills with relevant degrees or certifications, so don’t be shy about flaunting those achievements!
Utilise Professional Language:While we want you to be yourself, remember that corporate strategy roles demand a level of professionalism in communication. Use clear and concise language in your application materials, ensuring that your ideas come across as well-structured and sophisticated. It’s all about making a great impression right from the written application stage!
How to prepare for a job interview at More About Jonas Software
✨Master the Numbers
Corporate strategy often involves data analysis and financial forecasting. Brush up on your quantitative skills, and be prepared to handle case studies or numerical problems during the interview. We might get questions about how to approach market trends or assess the performance of a hypothetical company — so practice these scenarios!
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarity with strategic frameworks like SWOT, PESTLE, or Porter’s Five Forces can set you apart. We should be ready to discuss how we’d apply these tools to real-world business situations — maybe even relating them to More About Jonas Software. This shows we’re not just theory-happy but can articulate our practical application.
✨Engage in Strategic Conversations
In a full-time role like this, it’s crucial to show that we're engaged and informed about current trends in the industry. Keep up with major news and prepare to discuss how recent developments could impact strategic decisions at More About Jonas Software. This will demonstrate our passion and proactive approach to the field.
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
Whether through internships or projects, we should highlight any experience that relates to corporate strategy. Have specific examples ready to talk about how we’ve contributed to strategic growth or improvements. It's about showcasing our unique journey and how it will bring value to More About Jonas Software.
