Proposition Technical Manager

Description:

The role is for a bond and trust specialist supporting technical integrity across IL&P (Individual Life & Pensions) propositions, providing oversight and input into product development, regulatory implementation, and operational change. It works closely with proposition, risk, compliance, and operations teams to ensure that customer outcomes and technical robustness are maintained. This role forms part of a broader operating model change to strengthen internal technical capability and governance.

Key Responsibilities

Provide expert direction, insight and guidance to internal stakeholders to ensure relevant stakeholders business integrity and compliance with legislation, regulation and industry best practice within the specialist area of life company investment bonds (onshore and offshore), the types of trusts used in conjunction with bonds, and the treatment of the bonds and trusts. Primary stakeholders: Open Propositions, Prudential International and Operations, with other stakeholders as appropriate. 
Monitor the legislative/regulatory landscape, HMRC and industry practice to identify potential areas of risk, opportunity or change impacting M&G and ensuring relevant stakeholders are informed of same, as required. Primarily but not exclusively the integrity of our propositions and ability to operate compliantly. 
Analysis and impact assessment of relevant legislative change from consultation through to final regulations and subsequent change. 
Assisting in formulation of a common M&G view of legislative positions and best practice. 
Provide technical input to M&G consultation responses, whether directly or through relevant industry bodies with a focus on proposition integrity and operational impacts of change. 
Engage with industry bodies (e.g. ABI, ILAG), government, and regulators to help influence outcomes aligned with M&G’s position, as required
Provide technical consultancy and support to:
operations areas, including complaints, in the resolution of complex case work. 
proposition-led projects, including design delivery and BAU maintenance, as required. 
mandatory change projects impacting primary stakeholders
notifiable event resolution teams
Provision of an M&G internal facing technical helpdesk for operational and proposition support. 
Communication of ad-hoc regulatory tax changes to operational technical teams and technical SMEs, where not specifically covered by a dedicated mandatory change project. 
Work with marketing and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that formal product documentation, trust documentation and literature (includes T&Cs, KFDs, Product profiles, application wording and declarations (paper based and on-line technical wording content), ABS and quote template wording) are technically accurate and fit for purpose. 
Technical approval of operational processes and procedures, as required. 
Lead and manage tasks and technical deliverables allocated to them by the Head of Proposition Integrity and Technical Excellence to ensure technical team are delivering in support of the strategic priorities of in particular, their primary stakeholders, and other stakeholders as appropriate
Cross functional collaboration with other key stakeholder areas, e.g. Transformation, Risk, closed propositions as required. 
Support the work of the Proposition Technical (External) Team where appropriate. 
To deputise for Head of Proposition Integrity and Technical Excellence where appropriate

Key Skillsets, Knowledge, And Experience

Knowledge

Substantial understanding of tax legislation and the regulatory environment, and risk framework, related directly to individual life products (including, onshore and offshore investment bonds (and related trusts). Additional understanding of pensions, annuities, ISAs, platform, and investment propositions is desirable but not essential. 
Substantial knowledge of regulatory issues and able to advise on appropriate action both from an operational, manufacturer, and distributer perspective when considering new legislation, regulation and evolving industry practices. 
Substantial knowledge of regulatory issues and able to advise on appropriate action both from an operational, manufacturer and distributer perspective when considering new legislation, regulation and evolving industry practices. 
Working knowledge of legislation and regulation governing the provision of financial planning advice. 

Experience statements:

Significant experience and knowledge of all aspects of legislation, regulation and industry practice relevant to individual life products (onshore and offshore bonds) affecting:
technical proposition development (essential)
product management (essential)
transformation change (essential)
administration and operations (essential)
provision of financial advice (desirable)
distribution and advisory processes (desirable)
Experience and understanding of the impacts of regulatory and tax changes, with the ability to focus on technical/tax risk identification, mitigation, and ensuring technical integrity related directly to all aspects of individual life company investment bond products and related trusts. (essential) 
Experience of working with and influencing stakeholders of all levels throughout the business to achieve strategic objectives (desirable)
Knowledge of products and systems (desirable)
Experience of provision of technical expertise to both internal and external customers (essential)
Experience of delivering training to stakeholders of all abilities (desirable)

Personal attribute/skills:

Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical subjects clearly to stakeholders of all levels and varying technical knowledge (essential)
Analytical, numerate, and able to challenge appropriately while applying sound judgement to business analysis and decision-making (essential)
Proven ability to interpret product rules, scheme rules, legislation, and regulation, and to advise on appropriate action from both perspectives:
Manufacturer (essential)
operator (essential)
distributor (essential)
financial planning (desirable)
Ability to identify, assess, and help mitigate technical risks, while recognising emerging opportunities and threats (essential)
Collaborative and curious approach, with the confidence to work constructively with internal and external stakeholders, including third-party providers, to develop pragmatic solutions and a common technical view (essential)
Sound understanding of life company investment bond products and related trusts, the wider industry landscape, competitor activity, and the regulatory environment (essential)
Proven experience within the life and pensions industry in the relevant area of specialism (essential)
Acts as a credible role model internally and externally (essential)
Ability to design and deliver effective training and presentations for internal stakeholders and wider audiences (desirable)

Qualifications:

FPMI/APMI, FPFS/APFS (Chartered Financial Planner), relevant degree or equivalent, or actively working towards. Relevant experience will also be taken into account.