Job Description

Are you ready to chart your own career path? At SJP we need talented individuals like yourself to support our evolving culture. If you're seeking an employer that is passionate about excellence, innovation and autonomy, SJP could be the place for you.

At a glance:

Location:

London - Paddington

Workplace Type:

Hybrid

Employment Type:

Permanent

Seniority:

Director



The role:


This person will operate as the CFO's right hand providing support in steering CFO Directorate strategy, governance and operations. They are responsible for driving the CFO's strategic agenda by supporting effective decision-making, managing governance pathways, and liaising with internal and external stakeholders (including Boards) to ensure alignment and delivery of key initiatives. To deliver on objectives the Business Manager will be required to work cross-functionally to drive processes such as coordinating the CFO's daily agenda, preparing for Board and executive leadership meetings, and the delivery of accurate and timely information to support decision-making. They will also be responsible for the management of the CFO office - including Board and SMCR oversight, Risk & Controls co-ordination, Change and Executive Assistants for the CFO Directorate function.


What you'll be doing:

CFO strategy roadmap and execution

Understand and manage CFO's accountability across all internal and external stakeholders, including shareholders, media and regulatory bodies. Provide leadership, direction and guidance on the CFO's behalf, helping to establish strategy, align objectives, and track KPIs and objectives to completion. Acts as a strategic thought partner to the CFO to ensure their time is maximised by navigating competing priorities, identifying key issues for escalation and providing quick turnaround. Provide high-level support to the CFO, ensuring they have the full range of data and information to drive effective decision-making on strategy and organisational changes. Support Change agenda within CFO Directorate - working across the function to identify opportunities and priorities, and liaising with central change teams to facilitate execution and delivery.

CFO office management

Lead, develop and manage CFO office resources - including EAs, Change, Risk & Controls co-ordination and Governance. Manage budget, priority setting, and resource allocation within CFO Directorate. Work with CFO management team/SLT to set and track key KPIs within CFO Directorate. Drive engagement with People team on HR and Personnel related matters across CFO Directorate, acting as CFO's representative and deliver the People strategy within the CFO directorate (e.g. leadership development, recruitment, engagement, inclusion and culture etc.). Drive engagement with other functional areas, including via business manager network, (including Risk & Compliance, General Counsel, Communications, COO, CTO) as required to deliver CFO agenda and wider business requirements.

Governance & Co-ordination

Understand and deliver against requirements of the Group's governance framework in particular as it applies to the Group's listed parent company (St. James's Place plc) and its UK regulated subsidiaries in support of the CFO. Working across broader CFO function and FP&A function to do so - including: Driving the planning process for inputs to Group Board, Group Committee, Subsidiary boards and Executive Committees (including GEC) for functions and individuals reporting to the CFO. Ensuring matters are sequenced through the correc.t governance pathways and drafted, reviewed and quality assured on behalf of CFO, with specialist SME input across the function sought and included as required. Oversight of MI and Reporting (working with Board Partnering team within FP&A). Work closely with the Company Secretariat and governance leads in other Directorates to ensure effective governance support for the CFO, including: Facilitating ongoing engagement and information sharing across teams to ensure alignment, surface key issues early, and avoid blind spots or unintended consequences. Helping shape and refine agendas for Group and subsidiary board, Group and subsidiary committee and Executive Committee (including GEC) meetings. Identifying and escalating CFO Directorate related items requiring visibility or decision to Group and subsidiary boards, Group and subsidiary committees and Executive Committees (including GEC) meetings. Act as a key conduit for cascading and escalating messages between the CFO, governance forums, and senior stakeholders, including partnering with other CEO/Exec Offices to ensure alignment, and timely and consistent communication. Serve as the link between the CFO function and any sub-committees, forums, or oversight groups -- managing information flows, sequencing decision points, and helping refine meeting agendas. Advise the function on "informal" governance requirements, e.g. establishment of appropriate forums/oversight groups etc in adherence with the Group Governance Framework and provide oversight of these arrangements within Finance.

Regulatory, Process & Control oversight & co-ordination

Provide oversight and co-ordination of CFO DIrectorate processes and standards, working with CFO leadership team to ensure consistency and control across the Directorate, and documenting as required, including for resolution of Assurance findings. Acts as a liaison between CFO and internal/external assurance functions (including RCD, Internal Audit), including on SMCR compliance. Maintain records including delegations of authority and evidence of 'reasonable steps' under SMCR. Understand operational regulatory requirements and work with Risk & Compliance team and other CFO management team to drive responses and input into enquiries and discussion, as required for the CFO Directorate.

Who we're looking for:


The ideal candidate will have strong operational and process knowledge with a deep understanding of how an effective CFO function is structured and governed within a regulated FS environment. They will be able to navigate formal process and frameworks with confidence, ensuring tasks progress efficiently through the right channels, stakeholders are engaged at the right time and outcomes are delivered to a high standard. A working knowledge of corporate governance requirements within a group environment - particularly in relation to Board and committee operations, SMCR responsibilities and delegation frameworks - is critical. This person will have extensive business experience across relevant professional services and/or industry. They will have operated in a similar Business Manager/Chief of Staff role within FS, and have a strong understanding of the SJP business model/strategy including the Partnership and their clients. They will have strong analytical and problem-solving skills, a strategic mindset and be a confident and compelling communicator with strong presentation skills and strong resilience.


Essential Criteria


Extensive previous experience operating as Business Manager or Chief of Staff in FS. Strong knowledge of regulatory frameworks including SMCR. Previous experience of providing governance and support for regulated Boards. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills - able to manage complex projects and stakeholders effectively. Strategic mindset - able to translate high-level thinking into executable plans. Strong resilience and mental agility. Confident making informed decisions in ambiguous and fast-moving environment.

Desirable Criteria

Strong SJP knowledge including business model/strategy and the Partnership and clients.

What's in it for you?

We reward you for the work you do,

whether that's through our discretionary annual bonus scheme that reflects both personal and company performance, competitive annual leave allowance (28 days plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase an additional 5 days), or online rewards platform with a variety of discounts.

We also have benefits to support whatever stage of life you are in, including:

Competitive parental leave (26 weeks full pay) Private medical insurance (optional taxable benefit) 10% non-contributory pension (increasing with length of service)

Reasonable Adjustments

We're an equal opportunities employer and want to ensure our recruitment process is accessible and inclusive for all, if you require reasonable adjustment(s) at any stage please let us know by emailing us at careers@sjp.co.uk

Research tells us that applicants (especially those from underrepresented groups) can be put off from applying for a role if they do not meet all the criteria or have been on an extended career-break. If you think you would be a good match for this role and can demonstrate some transferable experience please apply, regardless of whether you tick every box.

What's next?

If you're excited about this role and believe you have the skills and experience we're looking for, we'd love to hear from you! Please submit an application by clicking 'apply' below and our team will be in touch.


As a business regulated by the FCA we would advise you to familiarise yourself with the conduct regulations and in particular consumer duty obligations prior to an interview with SJP.