Operational Readiness Lead

**Job Description: Operational Readiness Lead**

**Job Type**: Permanent

**Location and flexible working**:Hybrid - th _is role could be based in either our Wythall, Edinburgh or Telford offices working three days per week at home. We recognise the benefits of flexible working and will discuss what is important to you and balancing this with business requirements during the recruitment process. _

Salary and benefits: £60,000 - £800,000 base plus 16% bonus up to 32%, private medical cover, 38 days annual leave, excellent pension, 12x salary life assurance, career breaks, income protection, 3x volunteering days and much more

We have an excellent opportunity to join us here at Phoenix Group as a Finance Operational Readiness Lead in our expanding Finance Change Team. The role will lead on assessment of the Business functions operational readiness position for all Finance Operating model activities.

You will develop and manage the Operational Readiness roadmap for the Finance function, having oversight of all Operational Readiness activities, working closely with Change and BAU teams and Senior Finance stakeholders to ensure safe landing of change into the Finance Operating Model.

This is a great opportunity to further develop and enhance the operational readiness process for an expanding Finance function, as well as engage with a wide range of stakeholders inside and outside of Finance ensuring strategic objectives of the business are met, while safe guarding the Finance Operating model.

Who are we?

We want to be the best place that any of our colleagues have ever worked.

We are the UK’s largest long-term savings and retirement business with c.13 million customers and c.£310 billion of assets under administration. As a market leader and FTSE 100 organisation, we understand that our scale and expertise means that we have a key role to play for our customers, colleagues and our communities to help as many people as possible secure a life of possibilities. We are tackling key environmental and social issues such as transitioning our portfolio to net zero by 2050 - but we’re not done yet.

We’ve seen huge growth and change, and this means there is enormous opportunity for our 8,000 colleagues to grow alongside us.

**The role**

As a Finance Operational Readiness Lead, you will lead the assessment of the Operational Readiness position of the Finance Function, reporting regularly to Finance Leadership Team on status, risk mitigation and issue resolution.

Based in the Finance Change Team, you will work closely with the Finance BAU teams and Change teams to understand progress of business readiness activities within Programmes and Projects. You will work with governance forums and stakeholders to understand progress of operational activities including the reporting timetables and Accounting and Actuarial systems release processes, capturing critical information to understand the consolidated impact of change.

You will perform deep dive activities into areas of significant impact to the Finance Operating Model, making recommendations to improve the readiness position and driving forward actions. You will also set the roadmap for the operational readiness activities in line with Finance Functional Change plan, to ensure we have a forward looking view as well as looking at consolidating activities to minimise change impacts.

Joining an expanding Finance Change Team, you will be part of a small Operational Readiness Team that works closely with our governance team and large team of Finance Change Managers delivering business readiness activities through programmes and projects. You will have chance to influence stakeholders up to senior management and also support the development of team members.

**What are we looking for?**

We are looking for an experienced Finance change management professional with specific knowledge and experience of Finance operating models including systems, processes and stakeholders. You will have a strong track record of delivery in a fast paced and challenging environment, of developing and evolving operational models and governance processes and be someone who is keen to learn quickly in a changing environment.

You will have an ability to build strong relationships and drive action through influence and leadership across boundaries, combined with experience and ability to influence and communicate effectively with senior management, as well as with SMEs across the business.

Knowledge of business readiness frameworks, Finance operating model processes and how operational readiness is achieved is highly desirable, as is an firm understanding of Finance Change management process.

Why choose us?

Bring your ‘whole self’, skills and dedication to the Phoenix Group and we’ll recognise your effort, support your development and help to drive your ambition. We’ll ensure you’re rewarded for your contribution with a competitive package that includes an attractive pensio