Group Head of Reputational Risk

At M&G our purpose is to give everyone real confidence to put their money to work. As an international savings and investments business with roots stretching back more than 170 years, we offer a range of financial products and services through Asset Management, Life and Wealth. All three operating segments work together to deliver attractive financial outcomes for our clients, and superior shareholder returns.

Through our behaviours of telling it like it is, owning it now, and moving it forward together with care and integrity; we are creating an exceptional place to work for exceptional talent.

We will consider flexible working arrangements for any of our roles and also offer work place accommodations to ensure you have what you need to effectively deliver in your role.

First Line - Group Head of Reputational Risk

The role is responsible for identifying and managing (proactively and reactively) a range of reputational risks that could impact negatively on the perception, held by a range of stakeholder groups of M&G plc and across the portfolio of brands (currently M&G and Prudential, in the UK and M&G, globally). You will be responsible for providing expert advice to ensure the efficient progression of reputational risk matters from trigger to execution.

This role will report to the Director of Corporate Affairs and Branding.

What is Reputational Risk?

Reputational risk is the risk of failure to meet stakeholder expectations as a result of any event, behaviour, action or inaction, either by itself, our employees or those with whom we are associated, that may cause stakeholders to form a negative view of M&G.

How do we manage reputational risk?

Our risk appetite encapsulates consideration of reputational risks, and the responsibilities and procedures for identifying, assessing and escalating reputational risks. Our policies ensure reputational risk matters are managed in a consistent manner and align with the Group’s strategic priorities. They also define the control and oversight standards to effectively manage reputational risk and are supported by procedures across our businesses and functions.

Key responsibilities:

- Awareness and consideration of Group strategic drivers and business area priorities, how this translates into the proactive management of reputation and Brand and what this means for reputational risk.
- Help drive the delivery of strategic standards and policies to ensure that the Group’s exposure to reputational risk is managed in a commercially sensitive, practical and cost-effective manner.
- To provide support and guidance to senior management and committees on key reputational risk trends.
- Attend and contribute actively to meetings/committees charged with deliberating on reputational risk matters. Help ensure that discussions take account of wider impacts of the Group, regions, businesses etc.
- Support the Group Director of Regulatory Affairs, the Group Director of Corporate Affairs and Brand and the Group Head of External Relations to work effectively with regulators, the government, NGOs and industry bodies on reputational matters to ensure the Group’s interests are protected and professional and positive relationships are fostered.
- Research and reporting - To build an effective monitoring environment that provides oversight of MI, key trends, identifies emerging issues and focus on areas of reputational concern and opportunity. Work with key personnel to decide how they should be addressed and/or escalated.
- To develop key metrics to monitor trends in reputational risks in order to define and assess risk appetite and inform oversight and risk management activity.
- Oversee the production of standardized reports and MI on reputational risk management.
- To conduct forward-looking analyses and assessments of reputational risks/opportunities, and partner with the wider business to develop risk management solutions and plans.
- Draft reports and papers and conduct research related to reputational risk matters.
- Oversee the maintenance of the reputational risk register and use to drive decision making.
- To support the Director of Corporate Affairs to advise the GEC and Board of material reputational risk issues and their potential impact.
- Governance and training - To develop, implement and maintain a risk management approach to reputational risk, covering all key business decisions, risk appetite, Risk & Control Self Assessments and emerging risk reviews, following the Group risk framework
- Conduct an annual review of the Reputational Risk Policy and Framework for the plc to ensure that it is embedded within key processes, controls and activities.
- Cascade relevant Group policies and procedures, providing guidance and support, and ensuring implementation and embedding.
- Help develop and implement/embed Group-wide standards and policies on reputational risk working with key stakeholders across M&G, including the second line risk team.
- Identify training nee