At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive product strategy and growth across EMEA, leading innovative projects and cross-functional teams.
- Company: Wellington Management, a leader in investment management with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible work arrangements, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to innovation and excellence in investment management.
- Why this job: Shape the future of investment products and make a real impact in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in asset management with expertise in product strategy and client engagement.
The predicted salary is between 148500 - 181500 £ per year.
Wellington Management offers comprehensive investment management capabilities that span nearly all segments of the global capital markets. Our investment solutions, tailored to the unique return and risk objectives of institutional clients in more than 60 countries, draw on a robust body of proprietary research and a collaborative culture that encourages independent thought and healthy debate.
This role sits within the firm’s Enterprise Strategy Office, which reports into the CEO, and is primarily aligned with the Firm & Product Strategy function. Firm & Product Strategy is responsible for the firm’s enterprise strategy framework and manages processes to oversee product prioritization and product development firmwide. In addition, the function serves as the firm’s center of excellence for market intelligence and product innovation.
The Director of EMEA Strategy will partner with Wellington’s leaders, and engage key distribution partners, to shape strategy and drive growth. The Director will focus on driving end-to-end development of new products. In addition, they will serve as a thought partner to regional leaders, conduct research to help leaders “think around corners,” lead key strategic projects, inform resource allocation decisions and contribute to enterprise strategy processes. The role will focus predominantly, but not exclusively, on wealth and maintain a dotted line relationship with the Head of EMEA Wealth to foster close connectivity with the business.
Executing these responsibilities will require the Director to maintain a broad base of industry, product, vehicle and regulatory knowledge. The Director will partner with business developers to selectively build and maintain relationships with key clients, distribution partners and wealth technology platforms to help uncover commercial opportunities and support market-led product development.
Key Responsibilities Of The Role Include:
- Drive end-to-end product development, orchestrating cross-functional teams (e.g. Legal, Compliance, Tax, Operations, Investments, Distribution) to drive disciplined, on-time execution from concept through launch and commercialization.
- Lead a range of complex strategic projects for senior Wellington leaders.
- Build business case for locally relevant investment strategies as an important element of the building of the EMEA Strategy.
- Serve as primary author and presenter of product proposals to the Operating Committee and senior leadership forums, framing strategic rationale, financial impact, risk considerations, and implementation plans.
- Develop financial models and business cases to evaluate product viability, projected flows, margin profile, and capital/resource implications.
- Maintain a deep understanding of client needs, competitive dynamics, regulatory trends, and market movements across multiple asset classes, including Alternatives.
- Identify and evaluate emerging wealth distribution models, platform innovations, and portfolio construction trends that may influence future product design and vehicle evolution.
- Partner with wealth sales, fund development and product teams to uncover commercial opportunities and support client-led product development through engagement with distribution partners.
- Work with the Competitive Intelligence and Market Research function to translate industry data into insights and strategic decisions.
- Help to develop next generation talent within the ESO function.
The Ideal Candidate Will Have:
- At least 10 years of experience in asset management, with direct experience in product strategy, product development, client engagement and wealth solutions.
- Track record of successful end-to-end product development including launching investment vehicles in EMEA.
- Experience preparing materials for executive governance forums, including financial modeling and commercial analysis.
- Demonstrated ability to influence and advise senior leaders drawing data and research.
- Comfort with consensus-based decision making.
- Ability to foster innovation and drive outcomes despite complexity and imperfect information.
We are dedicated to building and maintaining a diversified workforce and considering a broad array of candidates with a variety of skill, workplace experiences, and backgrounds.
As an equal opportunity employer, Wellington Management ensures that all qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, creed, national origin, age, ancestry, disability (physical or mental), medical condition, citizenship, marital status, pregnancy, veteran or military status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
We believe that in person interactions inspire and energize our community and are essential to our culture. In support of this commitment, our employees work from our offices 4 days a week with flexibility to work remotely 1 day a week.
Director, EMEA Product Strategy & Growth employer: Wellington Management
Wellington Management is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of London where creativity and collaboration thrive. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, you will have access to professional development opportunities while enjoying a hybrid work model that promotes work-life balance. Join a team that values innovation and compliance, ensuring your contributions are meaningful and impactful in the world of finance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director, EMEA Product Strategy & Growth
✨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 Wellington Management. 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 Wellington Management.
✨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 Wellington Management. 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 Director, EMEA Product Strategy & Growth
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 Wellington Management 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 Wellington Management how you can be a team player!
How to prepare for a job interview at Wellington Management
✨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 Wellington Management.
✨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 Wellington Management'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!
