At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic initiatives and support executive decision-making in a dynamic financial environment.
- Company: Join Standard Life, a leader in retirement savings with over 200 years of experience.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, private medical cover, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Embrace a culture of curiosity, connection, and accountability in a fast-paced environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on financial futures while developing your career in a supportive culture.
- Qualifications: Degree in Business/Finance or equivalent, with experience in financial services.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 100000 £ per year.
Job Description
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.
You can read more about flexible working here.
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 a Strategic Business Manager who brings commercial thinking, curiosity and can navigate in a growth environment, then our team, Business Development & Origination (BD&O) would love to meet 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.
Role Overview
This role provides strategic leadership across BD&O, with a particular focus on supporting Pension Risk Transfer (PRT) strategy and executive-level decision making.
Acting as a trusted partner to the Director of BD&O, the role combines strategy, business management, and senior stakeholder support.
It ensures alignment with corporate objectives through effective governance, financial oversight, and workforce planning.
Acting as a central coordination point, it enhances organisational effectiveness and supports sustainable growth across BD&O.
Key Responsibilities
Strategy & Communications
- Drive overall strategy and key business-focused initiatives for BD&O, working with functional leadership and broader strategy team.
- Lead functional specific initiatives as required, working with key leaders within the BD&O function.
- Lead functional specific senior leadership team (SLT) and team meetings ensuring downwards cascade of relevant management information.
- Support external engagement and comms as required (e. g. PR and Public Affairs, regulatory engagement, investor relations).
- Own communications on strategy and business topics (e. g. those listed below) within their functional areas.
Financial Performance and Expense Management
- Work with Finance to determine and report on KPIs/metrics/objectives/outcomes associated with BD&O.
- Work with Finance to manage the BAU expense budgets (people and non-people) and relevant allocations.
- Drive and deliver cost savings/synergies as required.
- Own the functional cost base, with detailed understanding of cost base drivers to enable efficient scaling and evolution as business strategy changes.
- Define and collaborate on the functional contribution to AOP.
- HR and People
- Working with business leads and HR to coordinate the overall org design and people capability for the function.
- Support as required for business HR tasks.
- Drive functional specific people initiatives.
- Governance
- Coordinate BD&O engagement into RS&AM wide and Enterprise / Board governance.
- Oversee enterprise and board paper submissions relevant to the function for quality & accuracy.
- Support delivery of delegated authority documentation for relevant SMFs.
- Coordinate and produce functional specific papers into relevant committees (e. g. BIC, Group Ex Co).
- Lead coordination of RSPTC meetings.
- Operating Model
- Own roles and responsibilities for BD&O function.
- Interface into broader RS&AM and Standard Life organisation, with the aim of simplifying and streamlining handoffs - making processes, governance, and broader organisation more efficient and slicker.
- Lead on operating model development within functional areas, including the overlap with expense base drivers, as the strategy evolves.
- Change and Transformation
- Support setting and tracking of transformation priorities - working closely with Heads of Transformation.
- Oversee overall delivery of functional-specific transformation (on behalf of BD&O as required), check and challenge delivery.
- Coordinate engagement into the functional area on new initiatives ensuring SME engagement efficient and timely.
- Challenge new business initiatives to ensure they are aligned with business strategy & sensible from a cost/benefit perspective.
- Risk and Control
- Support Line 2 & 3 reviews as required, including coordination and delivery of management responses (incl. overseeing project delivery if required).
- Lead coordination of risk and governance requirements, including SMF18 responsibilities, BIRT responses, and enterprise-wide surveys (e. g. operational capacity, conflicts of interest), ensuring timely delivery and high-quality outputs.
- PRT (Pension Risk Transfer) & Market Engagement
- Support the development and articulation of PRT strategy, including input into Board-level strategy insights.
- Coordinate development of materials for large scheme opportunities, including senior briefing materials.
- Work closely with PRT Business Development to support market engagement and thought leadership activity.
- Support delivery of PRT marketing and events, aligning activity with strategic priorities.
- Act as a strategic liaison between BD&O executive leadership and business development and origination teams.
- Lead preparation of high-impact executive materials, including Board papers and CIO/CEO briefings.
- Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Act as a strategic liaison between BD&O executive leadership and business development and origination teams.
- Lead preparation of high-impact executive materials, including Board papers and CIO/CEO briefings.
- Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
What are we looking for?
Experience, Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Previous experience working across multiple financial specialisms such as Asset Management, BPA, Investments and Individual Annuities.
- Skilled in preparing Board-level materials, executive briefings, and strategic insights.
- Strong understanding of financial products, services, and regulatory frameworks within Asset Management, Pensions, BPA, Annuities & Client Services.
- Strong grasp of financial drivers, cost-benefit analysis, and value creation.
- Ability to see the big picture, anticipate market shifts, and align business objectives with long-term goals.
- Proven ability to operate in a fast-paced, senior stakeholder environment, balancing multiple priorities.
- Personal Attributes
- Engages and influences key stakeholders both externally and across business to ensure the successful delivery of strategic and operational priorities.
- Strategic Thinking: Ability to see the big picture, anticipate market shifts, and align business objectives with long-term goals.
- Commercial Acumen: Strong grasp of financial drivers, cost-benefit analysis, and value creation.
- Analytical Rigor: Skilled in data interpretation, scenario planning, and performance tracking.
- Influential and persuasive, able to build consensus and drive alignment across stakeholders.
Mandatory Qualifications
Degree in Business/Finance or similar field- or equivalent qualification.
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.
- Find out more about working at Standard Life
- Guide for Candidates: standardlifeplc. pagetiger. com/guideforcandidates
- Find or get answers from our colleagues: www. standardlifeplc. com/careers/talk-to-us #LI-SC1
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Strategic Business Manager (12 months FTC), RS&AM employer: Standard Life (previously Phoenix Group)
Standard Life is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment where BPA Actuaries can thrive and make a meaningful impact in the life insurance sector. With a strong focus on employee growth, competitive salaries, and an attractive benefits package that includes private medical cover and generous annual leave, employees are supported in achieving a healthy work-life balance. The hybrid working model allows for flexibility, making it an ideal workplace for those seeking both professional development and personal fulfilment.
Contact Details:
Standard Life (previously Phoenix Group) Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Business Manager (12 months FTC), RS&AM
✨Leverage Your Network
Tap into your existing network in corporate circles—friends, former colleagues, or even acquaintances from industry events. A temporary role often isn't widely advertised, so having someone inside a company like Standard Life (previously Phoenix Group) can give you the inside scoop or even a referral.
✨Stay Alert for Short-term Opportunities
Many corporate leadership roles are filled during peak business cycles or project launches. Keep your eyes peeled for announcements or staffing needs from companies like Standard Life (previously Phoenix Group); they might be looking for temporary support during busy times.
✨Showcase Your Flexibility
In temporary roles, adaptability is key. When you're chatting with potential employers, emphasise your ability to quickly adjust to new challenges and demands. Highlight specific instances where you've successfully managed change or stepped into new projects on short notice.
✨Join Corporate Management Forums
Get involved in online corporate management forums or local business groups. Networking in these spaces can help you discover temporary opportunities as well as gather insights about industry trends. Plus, being active in these communities can help you establish yourself as a knowledgeable candidate when applying to places like Standard Life (previously Phoenix Group).
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Business Manager (12 months FTC), RS&AM
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Leadership Experience:For a role in corporate leadership management, it’s crucial to emphasise your past leadership experiences. Mention specific projects where you led teams or initiatives, detailing the outcomes and skills you developed. This shows that you understand what it takes to guide a team and deliver results.
Show Your Adaptability for Temporary Roles:Since this is a temporary position, employers will be looking for someone who can hit the ground running. In your cover letter, explain why you're interested in a temporary role at Standard Life (previously Phoenix Group) and how your previous experience equips you to adapt quickly to new challenges.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any certifications in project management, team leadership, or similar areas, definitely include them in your CV. These credentials can set you apart from other applicants, showing you’re not just qualified but also committed to your professional growth.
Tailor Your CV to the Company Culture:Take some time to research Standard Life (previously Phoenix Group)'s values and leadership style. Adjust your CV language and examples to reflect their culture, demonstrating that you're not only a good fit for the job itself but for the organisation as a whole. This adds a personal touch that can really make your application stand out.
How to prepare for a job interview at Standard Life (previously Phoenix Group)
✨Show Off Your Leadership Stories
For a temporary role in corporate leadership management, we want to hear your stories! Think of specific examples where you’ve led teams or projects successfully, particularly under tight deadlines or challenging situations. This isn't just about what you did, but how your actions positively impacted the team or the business.
✨Be Ready for Situational Questions
Expect situational interview questions where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving and decision-making skills. Think of common scenarios in corporate settings, like managing a conflict or implementing a new strategy, and practice articulating your thought process and outcomes. This will help show off your ability to navigate corporate complexities.
✨Talk Strategy, Not Just Tasks
In a temporary leadership role, understanding the bigger picture is crucial. Brush up on strategic management principles and be prepared to discuss how you can quickly adapt and contribute to the company's objectives. Consider how you would initiate change or drive efficiency within a limited time frame—this will show that you're ready to hit the ground running!
✨Demonstrate Flexibility and Adaptability
Given the temporary nature of this position, we need to see how adaptable you are! Think of examples where you've had to adjust your leadership style or approach based on team dynamics or company culture. We want to know how you can blend in quickly while still making an impact during a short-term engagement.
