Operations Business Manager

At Smart, our mission is to transform retirement, savings and financial wellbeing, across all generations, around the world.

THE ROLE

( Fixed-Term Contract until March 2026)

We are seeking a dynamic and results-driven Operations Business Manager to support and drive key strategic initiatives across the Smart Pension master trust business. This role will work closely with senior leadership to develop, execute and monitor business initiatives aimed at driving new revenue streams, operational performance, cross-functional collaboration and achieving long-term goals. The ideal candidate is analytical, organised, and capable of translating high-level strategies into actionable plans across different topics, including but not limited to:

• Implementation of new client partnership agreements to support growth of the mastertrust.

• Implementation of digital (AI) services and revision to operating models which develop the way we deliver master trust services.

• Planning and analysis of regulatory change.

Collaboration across the senior leadership team, business functions and with third parties is key to deliver workstreams across multiple disciplines, ensuring that projects transition seamlessly into ‘business as usual’ supporting customer service excellence and efficient operating practice.

Responsibilities: 

• Sets direction through project governance and oversees all elements of the project delivery.

• Management of scope and risk in alignment to the reason for change and in the context of the UK strategy and good member outcomes.

• Gives direction and manages business readiness for broader propositional, compliance and or technology change.

• Develops project stakeholder relationships, including third parties to ensure consideration of operational requirements and deliverables.

• Work collaboratively with internal teams and third parties as appropriate to support seamless transition into normal operating practice.

• Sets standard for and coordinates resources to ensure business readiness criteria are baselined within the project and achieved in approving ‘go live’.

• Provides regular updates on project status with early warning on emerging issues.

• Utilises Smart’s communication structure to share delivery information and success with wider business.

• Resolve issues using commercial and business awareness.

• Support and manage requests for change of requirement, keeping key stakeholders informed.

• Uses general knowledge of regulatory and legal requirements.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

The skills, experience, and aptitudes we are looking for are listed below but please don’t be discouraged from applying if you don’t meet every single one of these criteria – having a ‘can do’ attitude is sometimes more important than being able to tick every box:

• Project management and delivery experience (Prince 2 project qualification desirable, or willing to study).

• Six Sigma, Green belt accreditation

• DC pensions experience, presence within the broader pensions market, up to date knowledge of industry focus.

• Customer centric mindset.

• Professional and accountability, projects credibility.

• Leadership and management skills.

• Senior stakeholder management.

• Prepared to roll sleeves up and respond to changing business needs.

• Strong interpersonal, networking and influencing skills.

• Creative problem solver with strong analytical and decision making skills.

• Accepts and tackles demanding goals with enthusiasm.

WHO WE ARE

We work in partnerships with governments and financial institutions in the UK and internationally. Our cloud-native digital platform is revolutionising how people around the world think about, and save for, their retirement.

At heart, we’re a financial technology business. What we do is all about innovation, and using the power of digital change to put the customer first. Our Engineers will tell you that working at Smart gives you the opportunity to play your part in developing world-class technological solutions, working with – and learning from – like-minded people.

You’ll also find that, across our business, our colleagues love Smart’s culture, and how what we do means better financial outcomes for savers. That feels worthwhile, and it means that what we do, collectively, goes way beyond the nine to five of a typical working day.

Don’t just take our word for it – you can see what our colleagues say about working at Smart on LinkedIn Life and Glassdoor .

BENEFITS

At Smart, one of the eight principles we work to is “We want happy and good people in our team”. We created a list of benefits that helps us achieve this goal:

• 25 days’ holiday per year, increasing with length of service.

• £500 annual training budget to spend on your professional development

• Extensive private healthcare, including dental, eyecare and EAP

• Enhanced sick leave (three months’ pay per year)

• Enhanced maternity and paternity (maternity – 6 months fully paid/paternity – 3 weeks fully paid)

• Death in service insurance cover

• Fully-paid five-week sabbatical after five years of employment

• In office wellbeing, such as manicures, massages and barbers.

• Smart employees also enjoy a 50% discount on orders from our sister company Arena Flowers, Britain's most ethical florist. They offer unique hand-tied bouquets, luxury flowers, letterbox flowers, plants and gifts to spend on friends and loved ones or even for yourself.

We think Smart is an awesome place to work. If it sounds like somewhere you’d like to work, too, and if you’re ready to play your part in our continued success in the future, then naturally we’d love to meet you.