At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic initiatives and provide insights to shape the future of Pension Risk Transfer.
- Company: Join Standard Life, a leader in retirement solutions with over 200 years of experience.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, private medical cover, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Embrace a dynamic environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Be a trusted advisor and make a real impact in a growing business.
- Qualifications: Experience in strategic business management and knowledge of the UK Pension Risk Transfer market.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 100000 £ per year.
Job Type: Secondment / Fixed Term Contract (12 months parental cover)
Location: This role will be based in our London office, with some flexibility to work between the office locations and home. We will discuss what is important to you and balancing this with business requirements during the recruitment process.
Salary and Benefits: From £100,000 (pro-rated) subject to experience, plus bonus, private medical cover, 38 days annual leave, excellent pension, 12x salary life assurance, career breaks, income protection, 3x volunteering days and much more.
If you're looking for a role where you can act as a trusted advisor, provide meaningful challenge and help shape the future direction of a growing Pension Risk Transfer business, we'd love to hear from you.
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.
Function & Role Context: We're looking for an experienced strategic business leader and trusted advisor who combines strong commercial judgement, exceptional stakeholder management skills and a deep understanding of the UK Pension Risk Transfer market. Supporting our Managing Director of Business Development & Origination, you'll act as a trusted partner across strategy, executive decision-making, governance and key growth initiatives, helping shape the future direction of one of the UK's leading PRT businesses.
At an exciting time for Standard Life's continued expansion in the PRT market, this role will play a critical part in supporting strategic priorities, providing credible challenge, driving organisational effectiveness and helping deliver our growth ambitions. This is a unique opportunity for someone who combines strong business management capability with PRT market expertise. You may have gained experience within PRT business development, origination, pricing, transactions or a broader strategic leadership role, and will be comfortable operating at the intersection of commercial strategy, executive decision-making and business performance.
Working closely with senior leaders across Business Development & Origination and the wider Retirement Solutions & Asset Management business, you'll provide the insight, coordination and challenge needed to support a fast-growing and evolving business.
Experience, Knowledge & Skills:
- Strategic Leadership & Business Management: Act as a trusted advisor to the Managing Director, providing challenge, insight and support on strategic and operational priorities. Drive strategic planning, business performance management and organisational effectiveness across Business Development & Origination. Lead the preparation of Board papers, executive briefings and strategic insights to support decision-making at the highest levels of the organisation. Coordinate governance, business planning, workforce planning and financial management activities across the function. Drive alignment across stakeholders, ensuring effective execution of strategic priorities and transformation initiatives. Support executive decision-making through analysis, prioritisation and the effective management of competing business demands.
- Pension Risk Transfer (PRT) Strategy & Market Engagement: Provide informed insight and challenge on Pension Risk Transfer strategy, market developments and growth opportunities. Apply deep knowledge of the BPA market to support strategic decision-making and business priorities. Support the development of materials for significant PRT opportunities, executive meetings and Board discussions. Partner closely with Business Development, Origination and wider PRT stakeholders to ensure alignment against strategic objectives. Monitor market trends, competitor activity and emerging opportunities to help shape future business strategy. Act as a key link between strategic priorities, commercial opportunities and operational delivery.
What are we looking for?
- Proven experience in a strategic business management, chief of staff, business planning or leadership support role within a complex financial services environment.
- Strong knowledge of the UK Pension Risk Transfer (BPA) market, with experience across PRT, Asset Management, Investments, Individual Annuities or related retirement specialisms.
- Commercially astute, with a strong understanding of financial drivers, business performance, cost-benefit analysis and value creation, coupled with the confidence to provide constructive challenge to senior stakeholders.
- Skilled in developing Board-level materials, executive briefings and strategic insights, with the ability to translate complex information into clear recommendations and actions.
- Strong strategic thinking and stakeholder management capabilities, with a proven ability to navigate complexity, drive organisational effectiveness and deliver outcomes in a fast-paced growth environment.
Personal Attributes:
- Trusted Advisor & Strategic Partner: Builds credibility quickly and becomes a valued sounding board to senior leaders, providing balanced judgement, thoughtful challenge and trusted counsel.
- Thrives in Change & Transformation: Energised by growth, transformation and continuous improvement, bringing structure, clarity and momentum in an environment where priorities evolve rapidly.
- Commercially Astute & Strategically Minded: Connects market insights, business performance and long-term objectives to identify opportunities and drive meaningful outcomes.
- Influential, Resilient & Adaptable: Navigates ambiguity, competing priorities and changing direction with confidence, maintaining focus, pace and a positive outlook.
- Exceptional Relationship Builder: Creates strong partnerships, builds alignment across stakeholders and brings people together behind shared objectives.
- Proactive & Outcome-Focused: Anticipates challenges, takes ownership and consistently delivers high-quality outcomes with pragmatism and attention to detail.
Essential: Degree in Business, Finance, Actuarial Science or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
Desirable: Experience gained within Pension Risk Transfer business development, origination, pricing, transactions, proposition development or a related commercial leadership role.
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 and may close this role before the closing date, so apply early to avoid missing out.
Pension Risk Transfer (PRT) Strategic Business Manager (12 months FTC), RS&AM in London employer: Phoenix Group
At Standard Life, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and flexible work environment in our London office. With a strong focus on employee well-being, we provide generous benefits including 38 days of annual leave, private medical cover, and opportunities for career growth, all while fostering a culture of trust, accountability, and collaboration. Join us to make a meaningful impact in the Pension Risk Transfer sector and enjoy a workplace that values your contributions and personal development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Pension Risk Transfer (PRT) Strategic Business Manager (12 months FTC), RS&AM in London
✨Join Financial Networking Events
Jump into local finance meetups and conferences — they’re a goldmine for temporary roles in banking and financial services. You can chat with industry professionals and even get leads on upcoming opportunities that might not be posted online yet.
✨Utilise Temp Agencies Specialised in Finance
Reach out to temp agencies that focus on the banking sector. They often have strong ties with various firms and can help you secure short-term gigs that can help beef up your CV and get your foot in the door at firms like Phoenix Group.
✨Connect with Alumni from Your Uni
Don't underestimate the power of your university’s alumni network. Many former students are working in banking and can help you find temporary roles or even offer mentorship. Reach out directly or attend alumni events to broaden your circle.
✨Stay Active on Job Boards and Company Websites
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards specifically for finance roles. Companies like Phoenix Group might post temporary positions directly on their sites, so make sure to apply there too. Set alerts to catch those roles the moment they go live!
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Academic Achievements:In banking and financial services, your academic record can really make you stand out. List relevant grades, certifications, or coursework on your CV, especially if you've taken finance-related modules. This is particularly important for a temporary role where qualifications can help you shine even brighter!
Highlight Relevant Experience:If you’ve done any internships, part-time roles, or even coursework that aligns with banking or finance, make sure you include those! Showcase specific tasks where you used quantitative skills or analytical thinking, as this is what the hiring managers at Phoenix Group will be keen to see in your application.
Tailor Your Cover Letter Purposefully:When writing your cover letter, focus on why you’re interested in a temporary position at Phoenix Group. Let them know how you can quickly adapt to the team's needs and how eager you are to learn the ropes of the banking sector during this short stint. Your motivation and enthusiasm could really set you apart!
Be Prepared with References:For temporary roles, references can play a crucial role in your application. Make sure you’ve got a couple of references lined up who can vouch for your skills and work ethic. This helps to give Phoenix Group confidence in your short-term commitment to the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Phoenix Group
✨Brush Up on Financial Regulations
Since this is a role in banking and financial services, be ready to discuss key regulations like MiFID, Basel III, or GDPR. These are hot topics, and your awareness of how they impact daily operations can give you a significant edge during your interview with Phoenix Group.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare for interview questions that assess your analytical abilities. You might need to tackle hypothetical scenarios involving risk assessment or financial forecasting. Bringing examples of relevant projects or coursework can emphasise your practical understanding of these concepts.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
For a temporary role, showing that you can quickly pick up new processes and tools is crucial. Be ready to discuss previous experiences where you had to adapt to changing requirements or tight deadlines, as this will reassure Phoenix Group that you’re a reliable team player.
✨Demonstrate a Willingness to Learn
In a temporary position, leaning into your eagerness to learn can really set you apart. Be prepared to share how you’re staying updated on industry trends or any additional training you've pursued. Employers appreciate candidates who are proactive about their development—even for short-term roles.