UK Planning ManagerApply for this jobLocation: Standard Life House, Edin, Scotland Salary: c£40,000 - £45,000k Closing Date: 31-Mar-2010 Introduction and Background BACKGROUND This role will support the UK Strategy and Planning Manager in working with the UK Operational Team and other senior stakeholders to deliver a robust business plan to Group through managing and improving the UK business planning process. Key Responsibilities and Technical Criteria Required KEY RESPONSIBILITIES • Work across the UK business to manage, monitor and improve the end-to-end UK planning process. • Develop and maintain an effective working partnership with the Group Strategy team and the Group Financial Planning team to ensure deliverables and timescales are clear and achievable • Monitor and control projects linked to the UK Plan, providing project management support where required, in order to establish rigour and ensure that both the strategy process and the agreed approach to addressing strategy are being followed. • Influence, challenge and support members of the UK Operational Team on key strategic planning issues. • Assimilate, compile and resent group performance reports to the Group. • Develop and manage a rolling planning process to enable continual adjustments to be made in line with changing business requirements. • Communicate outcomes of UK Operational and Executive meetings to the business in order to keep stakeholders up to date with progress and changes to company strategy for inclusion with their plans. • Provide assistance in prioritising project resourcing to ensure the stated strategic objectives of the UK business are met. • Develop and maintain a detailed knowledge and understanding of both Standard Life and the external environment and competitor positioning in the UK market in order to contribute effectively to strategy discussions. Key Personal Criteria Required TECHNICAL CRITERIA REQUIRED • In depth knowledge of the full project life cycle, accompanied with experience of leading/managing projects. • Proven track record of delivery in strategic development or strategic planning. • Proven experience of business planning and control in a financial services organisation. • Strong communication and influencing skills, along with the ability to quickly build relationships with key stakeholders. • Proven influencing and challenging skills at a senior level. • Comfortable working with ambiguity and in situations of an uncertain and complex nature. • Strong problem solving skills. • Experience of the financial sector, either directly or through servicing clients in the sector. • Strong academic track record. KEY PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITIES Business Knowledge Having a sound grasp of the Company's plans & operating environment, the factors relevant to one's own role and the interaction between one's own role and others within the Company and outside. Leadership Identifying the key issues, and, motivating and empowering others to address them in a way which builds morale, generates ownership and commitment, and harnesses energies and talents towards achieving common goals. Contribution to Results Understanding the business and financial objectives of the Company and consistently ensuring the most effective contribution to their achievement. Strategic Thinking The ability to look broadly and see the whole process/picture and to see linkages and interdependencies which may not be obvious. Analytical Thinking The ability to understand and draw conclusions from situations, problems, and issues logically and systematically. Communicating and Influencing The ability to communicate effectively and to influence others to act and/or commit support to one's own goals or objectives. Decision Making and Judgement The ability to exercise judgement and make decisions. |