Title:  Resourcing Planning Manager

Canada Life UK looks after the retirement, investment and protection needs of individuals, families and companies. We help to build better futures for our customers, our intermediaries and our employees by operating as a modern, agile and welcoming organisation.

Part of our parent company Great-West Lifeco, Canada Life UK has operated in the United Kingdom since 1903. We have hundreds of respected and supported employees committed to doing the right thing for our customers and colleagues.

Canada Life UK is transforming to create a more customer-focused business by providing our customers with expertise on financial and tax planning, offering home finance and annuities propositions, and providing collective fund solutions to third party customers.

Job Purpose

The Finance Function is transforming and our vision is to develop a Finance team that excels at providing the appropriate level of insight and support to enable the business to meet its strategic objectives, drive timely and data-driven decisions – all with financial understanding at the core. 

Our vision is supported by 6 key principles which are to: (1) Embrace technology, (2) Be strategic, (3) Be timely and efficient, (4) Think data, (5) Focussed development, and (6) Strengthen analytics and insight. 

As part of this evolution and our modernisation programme, the role holder will focus on ensuring all existing and incoming project initiatives that require SME resources primarily in Financial Control are assessed and planned for in accordance with available resource and to realistic timelines. The role holder will need to have strong stakeholder management skills; working closely with Finance teams and other key stakeholders (internal & external) to ensure that initiatives are appropriately prioritised, and resources are assigned to support end to end delivery of requirements. 

This role requires a blend of technical finance expertise, system knowledge, leadership, and a strong understanding of the UK life insurance industry and its regulatory framework.

Key Duties/Responsibilities 

• Engage in workforce planning to allow for project demands from global and local initiatives to be met with forecasted resource availability  
• Ensure suitable resource allocation to allow for the right skills and capabilities are utilised in meeting the demands of projects 
• Collaborate closely with BAU team leads to manage the team resources entering realigning to change activity  
• Embed and manage an effective timesheet system that measures time & effort savings gained from running change activities (as part of Finance Modernisation)
• Excellent communicator that can liaise effectively with stakeholders at all levels, both verbally and in written form
• Partner with finance, actuarial, IT, and operational teams to understand requirements and help deliver system solutions that align with business objectives.
• Act as the liaison between BAU finance teams, the wider Finance Change team and external consultants or vendors where relevant for resourcing of change activity.
• Strong coordinator of team resources to align to key project management principles against a project timelines and deliverables at various levels
• Applies strong risk management approach to utilising resources effectively and appropriate to the levels of complexity as defined by each project
• Adaptable to changing project requirements and organisational priorities
• Proficient with tools that help with resource and project management e.g. JIRA, MS Project
• Ability to lead and motivate a team of SMEs across different disciplines
• Adept at conflict resolution both within and between project teams relating to resource allocation
• Ability to apply strategic thinking and business acumen so that resource management can best support overall business objectives 
• Understands, keeps up to date and applies industry developments, regulatory changes and best practice with respect to finance systems and innovative thinking, sharing to provide solutions. 
• Committed to continuously improve resource management process and practices

Skills, Knowledge and Experience 

• Demonstrable track record in finance transformation projects and/or system migrations 
• Enhanced analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Drives teams and sets the pace, ensuring teams are working towards delivery commitments 
• Knowledge of process automation tools and technologies (e.g., RPA, Alteryx, Python or Power BI)
• Proven experience in understanding finance systems within a life insurance or financial services organisation in the UK from a finance user perspective
• General understanding of financial reporting requirements, including IFRS 17, Solvency II, and UK GAAP
• General understanding of finance systems such as Prophet, SAP, or similar ERP solutions
• Strong leadership and collaboration skills, fostering teamwork across department
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with a focus on continuous improvement
• Proven track record at delivering multiple priorities each with defined requirements within tight deadlines
• Excellent Planning and forecasting experience 
• Able to manage team dynamics and lead collaboration 
• Strong relationship management capability in developing and maintaining relationships at all levels with external parties and internal ‘customers’
• Demonstrable ability to navigate through uncertainty and provide solutions when working through ambiguity

Qualifications

• Professional accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent) or by experience
   

Benefits of working at Canada Life

We believe in recognising and rewarding our people, so we offer a competitive salary and benefits package that’s regularly reviewed. As a Canada Life UK colleague, you’ll receive a competitive salary and comprehensive reward package including a generous pension and bonus scheme, along with, income protection, private medical insurance and life assurance.  We have a fantastic number of other benefits and support services as well as regular personal and professional development.

How we work at Canada Life

Our culture is unique and incredibly important to us.  We care about doing the right thing for our people, customers and community and helping others to build better futures.  Our blueprint behaviours shape and influence how we work, and are central to the relationships we have with others.  Every day we are encouraged to be more curious, own the outcome, face into things together and find a way forward. 

We want colleagues to have rewarding careers with us so we invest in the development of our people, technology and workplaces. That’s why we offer a range of training, flexible working and opportunities to grow and develop.

Diversity and inclusion

Building an inclusive workplace with a diverse workforce where everyone can feel they belong and achieve their potential regardless of gender, ethnicity or any other characteristic is a key commitment for us.  We are proud of the progress we’re making in DEI, and we continue for it to be a significant focus. 

“At Canada Life we believe in the power of great people from different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives coming together to build better futures. Emerging talent is crucial to our growth and creating an environment that continues to inspire us all.”  Nick Harding, Chief People Officer, Canada Life UK

We appreciate that everyone has different work and life responsibilities. We’re happy to discuss flexible working arrangements, including part time, for any of our roles should this be a requirement for you.