Strategy & Integration Manager - 12 month FTC in Manchester

Strategy and Integration Manager – 12 month Fixed Term Contract This is a hybrid role with the requirement to work from our Manchester Office two days a week. Role Overview and Purpose  The Strategy and Integration Manager will lead and support the development and delivery of target operating model and acquisition integration priorities across the Group. The role will combine structured strategic analysis with practical delivery oversight, translating complex business information into clear recommendations, plans and executive-level reporting. Key responsibilities include assessing current and target operating models, supporting M&A due diligence and financial modelling, developing and overseeing integration plans, and maintaining robust oversight of synergies and wider benefits. Working across business functions and with senior stakeholders, the role will provide constructive challenge, clear insight and disciplined governance to help deliver sustainable business outcomes.  Key Responsibilities  Lead and support strategic and integration initiatives covering target operating model design, M&A activity and post-acquisition integration.  Work with business owners to undertake structured as-is and to-be operating model analysis across capabilities, processes, organisation, governance, technology, data and performance measures, identifying gaps and defining practical transition roadmaps.  Support M&A due diligence by coordinating inputs across functions, analysing information, identifying material risks, dependencies and integration implications, and translating findings into clear recommendations for decision-makers.  Develop and maintain financial and operational models, working closely with Finance and business owners to validate cost, benefit, synergy, investment and sensitivity assumptions.  Develop integration strategies, Day 1 readiness plans and delivery roadmaps, ensuring milestones, dependencies, resource requirements and decision points are clearly defined.  Provide oversight across integration workstreams, maintaining a consolidated view of delivery status and ensuring risks, issues, actions, dependencies and decisions are actively managed through the appropriate governance forums.  Work closely with Finance to establish and maintain synergy and benefits baselines, measures, ownership, delivery timing and supporting evidence, providing clear actual-versus-forecast analysis and early identification of underperformance.  Analyse delivery and business performance, challenge assumptions and variances, and work with accountable owners to agree recovery actions or revised plans where required.  Produce high-quality executive presentations, reports, decision papers and dashboards that communicate complex information clearly and support effective senior leadership and governance decisions.  Build strong relationships across business functions, Finance, Risk & Compliance, Commercial, Technology and operational teams, using credibility and constructive challenge to align stakeholders and drive timely outcomes.  Contribute to the continuous improvement of strategy, due diligence, operating model, integration and benefits-management frameworks, while maintaining appropriate confidentiality and complying with company, legal, regulatory and information-security requirements.   Qualification and Experience  Demonstrable experience in strategy, M&A, integration, transformation or a comparable role, with experience of managing complex cross-functional activity.  Practical experience of target operating model assessment and design, including as-is and to-be analysis, gap assessment and transition planning.  Experience supporting or leading M&A due diligence, with the ability to assess complex information, identify integration implications and present balanced recommendations.  Strong financial and commercial acumen, including experience of building or interpreting financial models, business cases, scenario analysis and sensitivity analysis.  Demonstrated experience of developing and overseeing integration roadmaps, including Day 1 readiness, milestones, dependencies, risks, governance and reporting.  Experience of synergy and benefits management, including baseline definition, ownership, measurement, forecasting, evidence and variance analysis.  Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to structure ambiguity, interrogate complex data and convert analysis into simple, practical actions.  Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, including confidence working with senior leaders and constructively challenging accountable owners.  Proven ability to create concise, high-quality executive presentations, reports, dashboards and decision papers using clear, jargon-free language.  Advanced Microsoft PowerPoint and Excel skills; experience of SharePoint, Teams, reporting or data-visualisation tools would be advantageous.  Experience within financial services, UK General Insurance or another regulated environment would be advantageous but is not essential. About Us Markerstudy Group Services Limited is one of the largest Managing General Agents in the UK. With a strong presence in the UK motor insurance market, we specialise in niche motor cover, where our solid market knowledge and experience enables us to create highly targeted products. Our success is underpinned by our underwriting strategy to identify and apply special risk factors to the customers’ advantage. That, and our skilled underwriting technicians who are friendly, accessible and empowered to make decisions. Benefits · Starting with 25 days annual leave which increases with service · Opportunity for a yearly bonus . Private Medical Insurance · Life Assurance 4x annual salary · Collaborative, fast paced working environment · Hybrid Working · Modern, vibrant offices