At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead research and insights to drive strategic business decisions and growth.
- Company: Innovative financial services firm focused on transforming retirement and savings.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, training budget, private healthcare, and enhanced parental leave.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace that values diverse perspectives and offers career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of financial wellbeing with impactful insights and data-driven strategies.
- Qualifications: Experience in financial services, strong analytical skills, and excellent communication.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
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
The skills, experience, and aptitudes we are looking for are listed below but please don't be discouraged from applying if you don't meet every single one of these criteria – having a 'can do' attitude is sometimes more important than being able to tick every box:
- 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.
BENEFITS
- 25 days' holiday per year, increasing with length of service.
- £500 annual training budget to spend on your professional development.
- Extensive private healthcare, including dental, eyecare and EAP.
- Enhanced sick leave (three months' pay per year).
- Enhanced maternity and paternity (maternity – 6 months fully paid/paternity – 3 weeks fully paid).
- Death in service insurance cover.
- Fully-paid five-week sabbatical after five years of employment.
- In office wellbeing, such as manicures, massages and barbers.
- Smart employees also enjoy a 50% discount on orders from our sister company Arena Flowers, Britain's most ethical florist.
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 in London employer: SMART
At Smart, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and inclusivity. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our generous training budget, extensive healthcare benefits, and unique perks like a fully-paid sabbatical after five years. Located in a vibrant area, we provide a supportive environment where diverse perspectives are valued, ensuring that every team member can thrive while contributing to meaningful advancements in financial wellbeing.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Research and Insights in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those who work at Smart or similar companies. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might not be on the job description.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into our company culture and values. Show us how your experience aligns with our mission and how you can contribute to our growth strategy. We love candidates who are genuinely excited about what we do!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just focus on your skills; highlight your achievements! Use specific examples of how your insights have driven business decisions or improved outcomes in previous roles. Numbers speak volumes, so bring them along!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team and ready to take the next step in your career.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Research and Insights in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight how your experience aligns with the Head of Research and Insights role. We want to see how your skills can directly contribute to our strategic objectives.
Showcase Your Data Skills:Since this role is all about insights and analytics, don’t forget to emphasise your experience with data analysis and market research. We love seeing how you've turned data into actionable insights in your previous roles!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your key achievements and experiences stand out without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you 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 shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at SMART
✨Know Your Numbers
As the Head of Research and Insights, you'll need to demonstrate a strong grasp of data analysis. Brush up on key metrics relevant to the financial services sector, such as AUM, churn rates, and retirement outcomes. Be ready to discuss how you've used these metrics to drive strategic decisions in your previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role is all about leading insights and research initiatives. Prepare examples that highlight your leadership experience, particularly in guiding teams through complex projects. Think about times when you influenced senior stakeholders or drove a data-driven culture within your organisation.
✨Understand the Market Landscape
Familiarise yourself with current trends in fintech and the DC pension market. Be prepared to discuss competitor analysis and how you've identified opportunities or risks in the past. This will show that you can integrate market research with business data insights effectively.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Excellent communication skills are crucial for this position. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly, especially when translating complex data into actionable insights. Consider preparing a brief presentation on a relevant topic to showcase your ability to convey information effectively during the interview.
