Head of Investment Proposition

Scottish Widows is one the largest UK fund managers with c.£152 bn (30 June 2021) of customer funds under management / administration. The customer fund range includes regulated funds, life and pension funds, external fund links and the Workplace SavingsFund Platform has also introduced a tailored blended fund service. With over five million customers, and having celebrated our 200th anniversary in 2015, Scottish Widows is one of the UK's most trusted Life, Pensions and Investments providers. We want to ensure this success continues and grows, and in Insurance, Pensions& Investments we contribute to this success by providing critical services to our customers and supporting them with their Insurance needs, whilst ensuring the customer is at the heart of our business. The role will report to the Director, Investments. As Head of Investment Proposition you'll be responsible for the customer fund proposition to market, with a focus on ensuring it serves the needs of our customers and distribution channels. This will include being "the voice of Scottish Widows" in the externalmarket: presenting market feedback to the business; recommending and sponsoring changes to the fund range; and owning investment communications to market (including pitch material). This activity will take into account client and market needs, fund manageractivity and propositional response to regulatory requirements. Key Accountabilities: - Take input from Distribution leaders and external network to understand market and commercial needs and use this insight to prioritise and deliver investment developments that meet the customer need and support business growth - Build and maintain a strategic plan for the investment proposition and pipeline of developments towards that plan - Where appropriate, ensure consistency of fund offering and approach across proposition areas (Workplace, Individual and Longstanding) - Specify and maintain requirements and constraints for fund solutions that meet customer need - and deliver, through the Investments team - Engage Distribution and Proposition leaders to develop communication material to support the proposition - Take the lead in promoting the fund range and supporting rationale to market - Manage complex relationships with internal colleagues to ensure proposition to market and internal processes and governance are aligned - Provide "first line" investment expertise to Proposition and Distribution teams. - Support client and adviser pitches, taking the lead on investment content - Ensure team operates within a defined risk framework, ensuring funds and associated materials meet customer needs and embracing the principles of TCF and Conduct Risk - Keep up-to-date with market developments and Scottish Widows' business strategy, and convert this knowledge into ideas and activities that support the development and promotion of our fund range Skills & Experience we're looking for: - Core expertise in the investment management industry with a track record of delivery in an investment context - Experience of building & maintaining relationships with fund managers and distribution channels (EBCs / Corporate IFAs) - Experience and deep knowledge of Pensions and/or Retirement industry - ideally Workplace Saving, Workplace Benefits, Reward - Strong understanding of pensions regulations and market; ideally experience in Master Trust - Good understanding of the operations, systems and organisational structure of an investment manager or product provider - Strong collaboration and communication skills, and experienced in building strong networks both across organisation and with external companies. - Team leadership experience desirable Location & ways of working: The team is based in Edinburgh and in central London therefore the role can be based at either location. We're happy to consider options for agile working. We operate a hybrid model, enabling colleagues to experience the benefits of time in the same location as their colleagues while also entrusting colleagues with choice about how, when and where they work,to deliver their best. What you'll get in return? In addition to a competitive base salary, the position also offers: - Discretionary Performance Share Award - Generous pension contribution - A flex benefits cash pot you can adjust to suit your lifestyle (4% on top of your basic salary) - Private health cover - Access to share schemes - 30 days holiday plus bank holidays In return for your expertise, you'll enjoy our total dedication to your ongoing personal and professional development. So if you have the skills we're looking for, we'd love to hear from you..... We'll help you perform at your best today, so you can fulfil all your potential in the future. We know that success is built from the inside out through our people. Together we make it possible. Did you know we've won awards? We've gained industry recognition including Stonewall Top 100 Employer, Top 30 Employer for Working Families, Gold Standard 2014 from the Business Disability Forum and Top 50 Employer for Women.