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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic initiatives for retirement investment solutions and manage significant project budgets.
- Company: Phoenix Group, a leader in innovative financial solutions with a flexible work culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £105,000, private medical cover, and 38 days annual leave.
- Why this job: Shape the future of retirement journeys while making a real impact in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Expertise in smoothed funds and strong stakeholder engagement skills required.
- Other info: Flexible working options available, including part-time and job-share opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 84000 £ per year.
Programme Manager (Smoothed)
Role at Phoenix Group
Location: London, Hybrid role – open to part‑time, job‑share and flexible working. Job Type: Permanent.
Closing Date: 24th October 2025.
The role
We are seeking an experienced Programme Manager to design, plan and deliver strategic initiatives within our Smoothed Managed Funds portfolio. The role requires deep expertise in investment solutions for retirement journeys, particularly in drawdown phases.
Key Responsibilities
- Apply specialist knowledge of smoothed fund mechanics, customer journey design and retirement investment strategies to shape programme outcomes.
- Collaborate closely with product teams and third‑party delivery partners to assess new opportunities and build robust business cases.
- Shape product deliverables, customer journeys and benefits impacts to optimally support the business.
- Design an appropriate project/programme governance structure and source appropriate resources to ensure projects are adequately resourced.
- Identify and actively manage senior stakeholders to keep sponsor, steering group informed.
- Responsibility for significant project or programme budgets of up to £50 million.
- Implement and operate effective governance and control environment in line with the Phoenix change management framework.
- Lead on internal business unit initiatives on behalf of the Head of BD&O Transformation as required.
- Produce and maintain good quality project/programme documentation.
- Use advanced tools and techniques to maximise delivery benefits.
- Work with Business Sponsors, stakeholders and the project/programme team to scope, define and plan the project.
- Input to the annual planning round, detailing costs, benefits and priorities for new initiatives.
- Drive long‑term behavioural change across the business.
- Effectively manage programme and project teams within a cost‑pressed environment.
Qualifications
- Deep understanding of Smoothed Managed Funds and how they support retirement journeys in drawdown phases.
- Experience working with investment product teams or contributing to the development, launch, or transformation of Smoothed or similar solutions.
- Knowledge of fund governance, pricing structures, and risk management principles specific to Smoothed Funds.
- Ability to translate technical product features into business benefits and shape customer journeys.
- Strong stakeholder engagement skills with a track record of working across internal teams and external delivery partners.
- Commercial acumen and ability to assess new opportunities quickly and build compelling business cases.
- Leadership experience in regulated environments, focusing on compliance, customer‑centricity and long‑term value creation.
- Line management of specialist and associate project managers and business analysts plus matrix management of many more.
- Proactive coaching, mentoring and development of teams to ensure focus on business objectives.
- Represent Phoenix internally and externally, promoting its values and mitigating risk.
Benefits
- Up to £105,000 plus discretionary bonus.
- Private medical cover.
- 38 days annual leave.
- Excellent pension.
- 12x salary life assurance.
- Career breaks, income protection, 3x volunteering days and more.
How to apply
Apply early – we’re reviewing applications as they come in. Adjustments to the recruitment process are available to help you perform at your best.
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Programme Manager (Smoothed) employer: Phoenix Group
Contact Detail:
Phoenix Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Programme Manager (Smoothed)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in your industry, especially those who work at Phoenix Group. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just land you an interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by knowing your stuff! Brush up on smoothed fund mechanics and retirement investment strategies. The more you know, the more confident you'll feel when discussing how you can contribute to the team.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to share examples of how you've managed teams and projects in the past. Highlighting your experience in regulated environments will definitely catch their attention.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Programme Manager (Smoothed)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with Smoothed Managed Funds and retirement investment strategies. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant expertise!
Showcase Your Stakeholder Skills: Since this role involves managing senior stakeholders, it’s crucial to demonstrate your strong engagement skills. Share examples of how you've successfully collaborated with teams and external partners in your previous roles – we love a good success story!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read through your achievements and experiences. Remember, we’re looking for quality over quantity!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it helps us keep track of all applications efficiently.
How to prepare for a job interview at Phoenix Group
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of Smoothed Managed Funds and their role in retirement journeys. Brush up on the mechanics, customer journey design, and investment strategies relevant to drawdown phases. This will help you answer questions confidently and demonstrate your expertise.
✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills
Since the role involves working closely with product teams and third-party partners, be ready to discuss your experience in collaboration. Prepare examples of how you've successfully worked with diverse teams to assess opportunities and build business cases. Highlight your stakeholder engagement skills!
✨Demonstrate Leadership Experience
The interviewers will want to see your leadership capabilities, especially in regulated environments. Share specific instances where you've led project teams or managed significant budgets. Talk about how you’ve coached and developed team members to achieve business objectives.
✨Prepare for Governance Questions
Given the importance of governance in this role, be prepared to discuss how you've implemented effective governance structures in past projects. Think about how you can relate your experiences to the Phoenix change management framework and how you ensure compliance and risk management.
