Head of Investment

Department:
CEO Office

Location:
Horsham

Description
The Head of Investment is a key leadership role, responsible for the commercial development and oversight of the Benchmark investment proposition. Benchmark operates a Centralised Investment Proposition, which includes a range of investment solutions provided in partnership with Schroders to support our 1000+ advisers. This role provides strategic ownership across product strategy, product oversight and governance, and takes effective regulatory responsibility for these solutions. It also is responsible for ensuring we meet our commercial growth objectives for the solutions, therefore will support client sales activity in ensuring that the product range is effective.

Working closely with the senior leadership team and the Schroders Investment Solutions team, you will ensure investment propositions are competitive, compliant, and efficient, and that the investment management relationship with Schroders is appropriately governed. As a result, the Head of Investments will play a critical role as the interface and key stakeholder with the Schroders Investment Group, ensuring seamless communication and strategic alignment between Benchmark's needs and the broader Schroders investment teams.

As Chair of the Benchmark Investment Committee the successful candidate will bring relevant experience and qualifications which presents themselves as a credible investment leader in the wealth industry.

What you'll do
Investment management responsibility
: take overall regulatory responsibility for Benchmark's investment offering. This includes the investment management responsibilities across our own investment management firm. Take on the main CF29 function for our investment services, providing overall accountability of our investment proposition and oversight for our investment management partnership with Schroders.

Product Strategy and management:
Provide overall direction of the development of the range of investment solutions required to support Benchmark's advisers and ensure product range is being effectively managed. Set overall business strategy for our investment solutions, ensuring there are appropriate plans in place over both short and long term.

Product Development:
Oversee and set out plans for new product launches and product enhancements to support adviser needs, ensuring all steps within product development lifecycle are managed effectively. Work with all delivery, operational and commercial teams, including the Schroders Investment Solutions teams to support effective product development of the investment range

Governance and investment oversight
: Chair the investment committee to ensure effective running, oversight and risk management of the investment solutions across the regulated activities. Overseeing the management of the investment range, undertaking appropriate oversight on investment decisions, investment manager selection, asset allocation, and actively monitor performance to ensure alignment with the investment strategy and customer objectives

Client engagement and commercial management
: Work across Benchmark's advisory relationships to provide ongoing support of the investment range, driving adoption and growth on the range. Support with the market positioning of the offering, ensuring it is effectively communicated and understood. This includes new client take on activity, especially through the Benchmark practice buy-out programme. Be comfortable in front of clients, whether it is in commercial negotiations, in relationship meetings, or whilst presenting at events. Support overall financial targets including Net New Business and revenue growth targets.

Investment Management oversight:
Act as the key conduit and stakeholder between Benchmark and the Schroders investment teams. Ensure that Benchmark's investment requirements, objectives, and feedback are clearly communicated and understood, while also translating Schroders' strategies, capabilities, and developments back into actionable insights and implementation at Benchmark. Foster a collaborative and productive partnership to deliver best-in-class investment solutions for our clients.

Governance & Compliance:
Ensure stringent adherence to group-wide and regulatory policies and standards, drafting and maintaining operational policies and agreements related to investment functions. Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate operational risks; actively participate in Risk Committees. Report to the relevant Boards on progress on the investment business, in line with associated business targets and agreed key performance indicators. Ensure alignment with consumer duty and product governance, including production of Fair Value Assessment.

Industry Leadership:
Maintain a strong external focus, identifying market trends and best practices to support Benchmark's competitive positioning. Bring strong external awareness into our own commercial strategy, and be prepared to represent Benchmark in the media, at events and with clients.

Team Leadership:
Lead cross-functional projects and foster a collaborative culture with teams across Benchmark Capital and external partners. Establish and run a small team which provides proposition and investment oversight of the investment range.

The knowledge, experience and qualifications you need

• Relevant investment management qualification, CFA, IMC, CISI or equivalent; relevant degree preferred
• Experience in a proven regulated investment management role
• Strong understanding of the wealth and advisory markets, especially around financial planning and discretionary investment management
• Client facing experience, with the ability to run client presentations, manage commercial relationships and build strong partnerships with clients
• Outstanding analytical and numeracy skills with meticulous attention to detail
• Strong leadership and communication skills, including ability to engage and influence at Board level
• Team player, resilient, adaptable, and client-centric in approach.

The base
You'll be based at the Benchmark Head Office, within our Broadlands Business Campus near Horsham in West Sussex but will need to be present across our other offices, including the main Schroders headquarters in London. It has high standards and international reputation, without being in the city: a big, countryside campus means life will feel a little different.

We support our offices by using cutting edge software and hardware and our spacious campus facilities mean there's a great working environment for the team. With an on-site restaurant, coffee shop and gym, our campus has much to offer. And commuters can relax on our dedicated regular shuttle bus to and from Horsham's main line train station.

We're looking for the best, whoever they are
We know that diverse perspectives and an inclusive culture where all can succeed lead to better decisions and stronger outcomes for the company its clients and its employees. That's why inclusion and diversity are strategic priorities for us. We're proud to be an equal opportunities employer. You're welcome at Benchmark regardless of your age, disability, gender identity or expression, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or socio-economic background. We're building a workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and empowered to thrive.