HR SM&CR Manager in Edinburgh

Here at Standard Life, we guide millions of people through some of life’s biggest decisions. We’re searching for a HR SM&CR Manager who shares our commitment to putting customers first, aiming high and working together to join the People Risk & Regulatory Governance team.

Job Type: Fixed Term Contract - 12 months, to cover maternity leave, with the potential to become permanent.

Location: This role is hybrid, with a requirement to be in the office periodically - Edinburgh, London, Telford or Birmingham, the specifics to balance home and business requirements will be discussed during the recruitment process.

Flexible working: All of our roles are open to part-time, job-share and other types of flexibility. We will discuss what is important to you and balancing this with business requirements during the recruitment process.

Salary and benefits: Up to £55,000, dependant on experience, plus an indicative bonus range of 16-32%, private medical cover, 38 days annual leave, excellent pension, 12x salary life assurance, career breaks, income protection, 3x volunteering days and much more.

Closing Date: 20/03/2026

Who are we? We’re Standard Life, a retirement specialist focused entirely on retirement savings and income. We champion the belief that everyone’s journey to and through retirement can be better, and for more than 200 years, we’ve been helping our customers plan and prepare for their financial futures. Life today is increasingly complicated, uncertain and unpredictable. People move through different careers, face unexpected moments and navigate important choices. We offer our colleagues flexibility, trust and benefits that work for whatever life brings. In return we expect curiosity, connection, accountability and high standards. We make room for what matters - so you can bring your best, every day.

The role: This is a great opportunity for someone with existing experience of the UK SM&CR regime and equivalent regimes with other regulators, for example Central Bank of Ireland (CBI), Hong Kong Regulators. On a day-to-day basis you could be involved in various undertakings. For example, you could be coordinating the required information to support applications for regulatory roles or working with Senior Manager Function Holders (SMFs) to identify any skills gaps and developmental needs for their application. You’ll need to be able to collaborate with several areas across the business, including Compliance and Company Secretarial, as well as interact with Senior members of the Standard Life Executive Team. The role will need you to be able to work autonomously and keep track of multiple applications, at various stages of their life cycle and be able to challenge where required information is not complete or is inaccurate and know when to escalate. A large part of the role will be working with the business to provide advice and guidance on the SM&CR regime specifically in relation to obtaining regulatory approval for those identified as a SMF. You will also be required to support the business and Compliance with the identification and documentation of the Material Risk Taker (MRT) list.

What are we looking for? This is the role for you if you enjoy a challenge and can look after and switch between multiple projects – sometimes on a daily basis. Experience of the regulatory requirements of SM&CR, specifically in relation to SMF application requirements and MRT, along with some experience of the application requirements of other regulators, for example Hong Kong, CBI and TPR. Strong communicator, with all levels, including Executive Team members and all styles of communication, as you will need to clearly explain application requirements and document information within the application. Strong influencing skills, with the confidence to challenge yourself and others to ensure we maintain the high quality of applications; and approval is achieved with minimal queries from the regulator. Proven track record of coordinating and collaborating with key stakeholders across the business, to effectively gather inputs and information to ensure timely and accurate submission of applications. Analytical, with exceptional attention to detail. This is to ensure we maintain the high quality of accurate applications submitted and our MRT list remains accurate. If this sounds like you and you have experience of the regulatory requirements of SM&CR, specifically in relation to SMF application requirements and MRT, along with experience of other regulator application regimes, such as CBI, The Pensions Regulator and Hong Kong Insurance Authority, then we would love to hear from you.

We want to hire the whole version of you. We are committed to ensuring that everyone feels accepted and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. If your experience looks different from what we’ve advertised and you believe that you can bring value to the role, we’d love to hear from you. If you require any adjustments to the recruitment process, please let us know so we can help you to be at your best. We’re reviewing applications as they come in, so apply early to avoid missing out.