At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead research and insights to drive business growth and strategic decision-making.
- Company: Join Smart, a pioneering fintech transforming retirement and financial wellbeing globally.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, extensive healthcare, and a £500 training budget.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to inclusion and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the financial sector while working with innovative technology.
- Qualifications: Experience in financial services and strong analytical skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 € per year.
At Smart, our mission is to transform retirement, savings and financial wellbeing, across all generations, around the world. The Head of Research and Insights is a leadership role, central to informing the leadership team in the execution of the Master Trust strategy. A key focus is on defining and prioritising insight needs, ensuring that data analysis and market research directly support strategic business objectives and outcomes. This position is responsible for determining the analytical requirements necessary for effective decision making and evaluation of outcomes. This involves translating strategic needs into specific data requirements and shaping the demand for insights from the Data as a Service function. This role integrates market research with business data insights to drive business growth, product proposition, retirement outcomes and competitive advantage.
Responsibilities
- Define and lead the research and insights objectives, aligned with business growth strategy and the evolving regulatory landscape.
- Partner with leadership and business functions (e.g. marketing, proposition, policy) to understand, prioritise, and translate strategic questions into insight and analytical requirements.
- Establish a clear framework for insight generation, analytics and market research directly inform business decisions and measurable outcomes.
- Provide recommendations to support compelling product proposition development, customer engagement, retirement outcomes, and competitive positioning.
- Ensure a strong commercial focus through the new Value for Money requirements, while providing strategic guidance based on actionable insights, performance metrics, and emerging trends.
- Oversee the development of dashboards and reporting metrics (AUM, contributions, churn, retirement outcomes).
- Lead competitor and market analysis and recommendation, identifying commercial impact, opportunities and risks.
- Represent Smart proposition in response to RFIs to position within market.
- Combine research and data to drive insights to support customer acquisition, AUM growth, and contribution rates.
- Foster a data driven culture across the business area.
- Oversee reporting aligned with regulatory and client requirements.
Who We Are Looking For
- Experience in Financial Services is essential.
- Experience in fintech, wealth tech, or digital pensions platforms preferable.
- Deep DC pension market experience.
- Degree in Research, Statistics, Economics or related field.
- Proven commercial leadership experience.
- Knowledge of behavioural science or customer research methodologies.
- Experience in growth analytics, commercial insights, or business intelligence.
- Experience in competitor analysis and market intelligence.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence senior stakeholders.
- Track record of translating data into strategic recommendations and outcomes.
At Smart, we are committed to creating an inclusive and equitable workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to do their best work. We believe that diverse perspectives help us lead the way in transforming retirement, savings, and financial wellbeing. We welcome differences in background, experience, thinking, and identity, and we recognise that innovation is strongest when it is built on inclusion and fairness. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences and do not discriminate on the basis of any protected characteristic. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process or in the workplace, we encourage you to let us know - we are committed to supporting you.
Head of Research and Insights employer: smart.co
At Smart, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our generous benefits, including extensive professional development budgets, enhanced parental leave, and a fully-paid sabbatical after five years. Located in a dynamic environment, we empower our team to make meaningful contributions towards transforming financial wellbeing, ensuring that every day at Smart feels rewarding and impactful.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Research and Insights
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their mission and values, especially how they relate to financial wellbeing. This will help you tailor your answers and show you're genuinely interested.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the role of Head of Research and Insights. Highlight your analytical skills and how you've used data to drive business decisions in the past.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our awesome team at Smart.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Research and Insights
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in financial services, especially if you've got a background in fintech or digital pensions. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at Smart!
Showcase Your Insights Skills:Since the role is all about research and insights, don’t forget to include examples of how you've translated data into strategic recommendations. We love seeing how you’ve made an impact in previous roles!
Be Authentic:We’re all about that ‘can do’ attitude! If you don’t tick every box, don’t sweat it. Just be yourself and let us know why you’re passionate about transforming retirement and financial wellbeing.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to get your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Smart!
How to prepare for a job interview at smart.co
✨Know Your Numbers
As the Head of Research and Insights, you'll need to demonstrate a strong grasp of data analytics. Brush up on key metrics relevant to the financial services sector, such as AUM, contributions, and churn rates. Be ready to discuss how you've used these metrics in past roles to drive strategic decisions.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role is all about leading research initiatives and influencing senior stakeholders. Prepare examples that highlight your leadership experience, particularly in guiding teams through complex projects. Think about times when your insights directly impacted business outcomes and be ready to share those stories.
✨Understand the Market Landscape
Familiarise yourself with current trends in the DC pension market and fintech space. Be prepared to discuss competitor analysis and how you can leverage market intelligence to inform Smart's strategies. Showing that you’re up-to-date with industry developments will set you apart.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Excellent communication skills are crucial for this position. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely, especially when discussing complex data insights. Consider doing mock interviews to refine your ability to influence and engage with senior stakeholders effectively.
