Head of Marketing Governance & Operations

Royal London; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading mutual financial services provider is seeking a Head of Marketing Governance and Operations. This pivotal role involves leading the Marketing Governance and Operations team, ensuring effective risk management, and managing supplier relationships. The ideal candidate should possess marketing operations experience, excellent communication skills, and the ability to foster a positive team culture. Join us to drive marketing operational excellence within an inclusive environment.

Benefits

28 days annual leave + bank holidays

Up to 14% employer-matching pension scheme

Private medical insurance

Qualifications

• Proven marketing operations and risk management experience.
• Understanding of tools and methodologies for marketing operational transformation.
• Experience in managing enterprise-wide governance frameworks.
• Ability to build relationships with senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Ensure effective risk management practices across the Brand & Marketing function.
• Advocate for a strong risk culture and oversee regulatory submissions.
• Own the Marketing Operations strategy and roadmaps.
• Manage marketing supplier relationships and collaborate with Procurement.

Skills

Marketing operations experience

Risk management

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Leadership skills

Job description

Role: Head of Marketing Governance and Operations

Contract Type: Permanent
Location: London, Edinburgh or Alderley Park (Wilmslow)
Reporting to: Group Brand and Marketing Strategy Director
Working Style: Hybrid (50% home/office)
Team: Brand and Marketing Strategy

Join Our Group Brand and Marketing Team

We’reseeking an experienced Head of Marketing Governance and Operations to lead our Marketing Governance and Operations team at Royal London. This pivotal role ensures our Brand & Marketing (B&M) function operates sustainably, efficiently, and at scale – while meeting Royal London’s risk management standards and delivering an effective control environment aligned to our strategy. Your leadership will help embed operational excellence and a positive risk culture throughout B&M.

Key Responsibilities

Risk Oversight & Management

• Ensure effective risk management practices are adopted across B&M.

• Build ability to assess control effectiveness and strengthen the B&M control environment in response to new and evolving risks.

• Work with the Risk Business Partner to support adherence to the Group Risk Management Framework.

• Advocate for a strong risk culture, balancing risk appetite with business opportunities.

• Oversee submissions to the UK Risk Committee and Group Executive Risk Committee, reviewing and advising on readiness.

• Scan the regulatory and risk horizon to ensure B&M is prepared and mobilises mitigation plans.

• Proactively raise governance standards across B&M, supporting colleagues to adopt best practice.

• Optimise and embed a robust governance framework.

Marketing Operations

• Build the skills and technical environment for an effective marketing operations team.

• Own the Marketing Operations strategy and roadmap aligned to the Royal London Group and Marketing strategy.

• Design, implement, and maintain best‑practice processes to support key functional output.

• Deliver creative services, production, and print strategy, establishing a centralised delivery model.

• Manage marketing supplier relationships at a contractual level, collaborating with Procurement.

• Build partnerships with enabling functions and key suppliers to deliver the marketing operational plan.

• Develop and maintain processes, tools, ways of working, and training programmes.

About you:

• Proven Marketing operations and risk management experience.

• Understanding of tools, methodologies and processes to help drive marketing operational transformation at scale.

• Experience in managing enterprise‑wide governance frameworks.

• Ability to build effective relationships with senior stakeholders and the Marketing Leadership Team.

• Excellent communication, negotiation, influencing, and leadership skills.

• Strong stakeholder management.

• Self‑sufficient, driven, and able to deliver through effective leadership.

• Foster a positive, collaborative, and high‑performing team culture.

About Royal London

We’re the UK’s largest mutual life, pensions and investment company, offering protection, long‑term savings and asset management products and services.

Our People Promise to our colleagues is that we will all work somewhere inclusive, responsible, enjoyable and fulfilling. This is underpinned by our Spirit of Royal London values: Empowered, Trustworthy, Collaborate, Achieve.

We’ve always been proud to reward employees by offering great workplace benefits such as 28 days annual leave in addition to bank holidays, an up to 14% employer‑matching pension scheme and private medical insurance. You can see all our benefits here – Our Benefits.

Inclusion, diversity and belonging

We’re an inclusive employer. We celebrate and value different backgrounds and cultures across Royal London. Our diverse people and perspectives give us a range of skills which are recognised and respected – whatever their background.