At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative product development and shape strategies for client-focused solutions.
- Company: Join St. James's Place, an inclusive employer committed to diversity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional growth opportunities, and a collaborative work environment.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to influence senior leaders and cross-functional teams.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving product innovation and shaping the future of financial services.
- Qualifications: Experience in product strategy or proposition development within financial services.
The predicted salary is between 58349 - 71315 £ per year.
This job is with St. James's Place, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community.
About the role: The role of Group Products ('the Division') is to develop and oversee the suite of products and services available to clients of St. James's Place, ensuring they are fairly priced, aligned to regulatory expectations, support business growth and deliver good client outcomes. The main purpose of the role is to lead idea generation for the evolution of the manufactured product range, driving innovation and prioritisation of opportunities aligned to client needs and Group strategy. Acting as a recognised Subject Matter Expert in proposition strategy and product innovation, the role develops the forward-looking proposition agenda, influences strategic investment and prioritisation decisions, and mobilises cross-functional stakeholders around agreed opportunities.
What you'll be doing:
- Leading the development and shape the forward-looking strategy and roadmap for the manufactured product proposition, ensuring alignment with Group strategy, client needs, Partnership priorities, Consumer Duty and risk appetite while influencing prioritisation decisions.
- Acting as a recognised business-wide SME for manufactured proposition strategy, providing authoritative insight, thought leadership and advice to senior leaders and strategic forums.
- Identifying, assessing and shaping material strategic product opportunities arising from other business areas and strategic initiatives, ensuring alignment to Group strategy, Consumer Duty and risk appetite, and providing evidence-based recommendations to support strategic decision-making.
- Leading market insight and competitor analysis, developing a forward-looking view of trends, client needs and innovation opportunities, and translating complex market and client intelligence into strategic recommendations.
- Engaging with the Partnership, leading structured consultation activity to inform and shape manufactured product development, balancing competing stakeholder priorities and securing alignment on future proposition opportunities.
- Developing and articulating robust business cases for manufactured product development and launch, ensuring clear alignment to strategic objectives, client outcomes and commercial viability, exercising independent judgement where there are multiple potential solutions or competing priorities.
- Collaborating with the Panel Development Lead to route opportunities which are not suitable for manufactured solutions but represent advice-led needs.
- Setting the agenda for and chair quarterly Group Products strategy forums, driving alignment on priorities, risks, and opportunities, facilitating constructive challenge, and ensuring clear ownership and delivery of actions arising.
- Acting as a senior spokesperson for Group Products, championing product strategy and enhancing understanding and engagement across the business, building influence across multiple business areas and stakeholder groups.
About you: We're looking for a commercially minded proposition or product professional who enjoys turning ideas into opportunities. You'll be naturally curious, able to assess market trends and customer needs, and confident developing business cases that influence decision making. You'll thrive in a collaborative environment, building strong relationships across the business whilst helping shape the future direction of SJP's product and proposition offering.
Essential Criteria:
- Experience in Proposition Development, Product Development, Product Strategy or a similar role within Financial Services.
- Ability to identify customer, adviser and market opportunities, translating insights into commercially viable propositions and recommendations.
- Experience developing business cases, conducting research and presenting findings to senior stakeholders.
- Strong commercial awareness with the ability to balance customer outcomes, business objectives and regulatory considerations.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills, with a proven ability to influence decisions and build credibility across a broad range of teams.
- Strong analytical and strategic thinking capabilities, with the confidence to challenge existing approaches and drive innovation.
Desirable Criteria:
- Experience within Wealth Management, Investments, Pensions or Adviser-led businesses.
- Knowledge of proposition design, product lifecycle management or strategic planning processes.
- Experience working directly with financial advisers, distribution teams or client-facing stakeholders.
- Background in consulting, business strategy or innovation-focused role.
Proposition Development Lead employer: St. James's Place
St. James’s Place is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. Located in Cirencester, this hybrid role as a Data Privacy Manager not only provides competitive benefits such as parental leave and health insurance but also fosters an environment where employees can thrive through collaboration and engagement with diverse stakeholders in the regulated financial services sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Proposition Development Lead
✨Tip Number 1: Tap Into Professional Networks
The finance world loves a good connection, so jump into industry-specific groups on platforms like LinkedIn where you can find discussions on financial controlling. Engaging in these communities can expose you to hidden job leads that aren't openly advertised!
✨Tip Number 2: Attend Finance Events and Conferences
Make it a mission to attend finance-related events and conferences, even virtual ones! This is a golden opportunity to network face-to-face with people from companies like St. James's Place. You never know who might be your next boss or a crucial contact!
✨Tip Number 3: Showcase Your Expertise
Consider writing articles or sharing insights related to financial controlling or industry trends. Publish these on platforms like LinkedIn to establish yourself as a knowledgeable player in the field. This not only increases your visibility but also catches the attention of recruiters from St. James's Place.
✨Tip Number 4: Apply Directly on Company Websites
Since you're going for a full-time gig, don't forget to keep an eye on the careers page of companies you're interested in, like St. James's Place. Many companies prefer candidates who apply through their website as it shows genuine interest and makes your application stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Proposition Development Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers Game:In financial controlling, detail is everything! Make sure your CV showcases your proficiency with numbers—highlight any relevant experience in budgeting, forecasting, or working with financial software. Quantifying your past achievements will make you stand out, so don’t be shy about flaunting those impressive percentages or cost savings you've implemented.
Tailored Cover Letter is Key:Your cover letter is a chance to shine, especially for a full-time role. Use it to express your genuine interest in St. James's Place and the specific impact you hope to make in financial controlling. Mention any relevant qualifications or experiences that align with the company’s goals, and don’t forget to show that you're ready for a long-term commitment!
Certifications Matter:List relevant certifications such as ACCA or CIMA on your CV. These qualifications not only showcase your dedication to the field but also your technical competence in financial principles. If you have any ongoing training or courses, make sure to mention those as well to demonstrate your commitment to continual learning in financial controlling.
Don’t Overlook Soft Skills:While numbers are crucial, so are those soft skills! Financial controllers need strong communication and analytical reasoning abilities. We recommend embedding examples of these skills in your CV and cover letter, like how you’ve successfully delivered financial reports to stakeholders or collaborated with teams to improve processes. Let’s show St. James's Place how you can be a team player!
How to prepare for a job interview at St. James's Place
✨Brush Up on Technical Skills
Make sure you're comfortable with key financial concepts, especially around forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis. Sometimes, interviewers may throw in technical questions or case studies, so practicing these types of scenarios will help you shine!
✨Showcase Your Financial Acumen
If you've had experience with specific financial software like SAP or Oracle, make it known! Be ready to discuss how you used these tools to improve processes or reporting, as this hands-on knowledge can really set you apart in a full-time role with St. James's Place.
✨Know Your Numbers
In full-time interviews, especially in financial controlling, be prepared for numerical reasoning tests or questions. Brush up on your mental maths and understand how to interpret and analyse financial statements on the spot, as this may come up during the assessment.
✨Connect with Company Goals
Familiarise yourself with St. James's Place's financial objectives and any recent developments. During the interview, try to weave your understanding of their business model and challenges into your answers—this shows your genuine interest and alignment with their goals!
