Planning Support Manager

Reed; North East; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A well-established financial services firm in Newcastle upon Tyne is seeking a Planning Support Manager. This leadership role involves managing the Planning Support and Paraplanning teams, ensuring high-quality service delivery, and driving operational improvements. The ideal candidate will have experience in financial services, strong leadership skills, and a strategic mindset. This position offers a hybrid working model with competitive benefits including 25 days holiday, pension contributions, and life assurance.

Benefits

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

3% employer pension contribution

Life Assurance cover

Flexible benefits platform

Qualifications

• Proven experience in financial services, ideally within paraplanning or client services.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and managing multiple priorities.
• Familiarity with FCA regulations and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage Planning Support and Paraplanning teams.
• Collaborate with senior leadership on operational processes.
• Drive continuous improvement using management information.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Communication

Strategic thinking

Organisational skills

Education

Industry qualifications (CII/PFS)

Job description

Location: Newcastle upon Tyne (Hybrid – 3 days office-based minimum)

Job Type: Full-time, Permanent

Sector: Financial Services

We are working in partnership with a well-established and forward-thinking financial services firm to recruit a Planning Support Manager. This is a pivotal leadership role within the business, responsible for overseeing the operational delivery of client support and paraplanning services. The successful candidate will ensure the smooth running of support functions, enabling financial planners to focus on client engagement and advice delivery. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape service excellence, drive operational improvements, and lead a high-performing team within a collaborative and client-centric environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Planning Support and Paraplanning teams, ensuring consistent, high-quality service delivery.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to align operational processes across teams and implement best practices.
• Monitor team performance using management information (MI) and drive continuous improvement.
• Own recruitment, onboarding, and performance management for support staff.
• Act as the first point of contact for team escalations and operational challenges.
• Ensure all processes comply with regulatory standards and internal policies.
• Support structured onboarding and ongoing development of team members in collaboration with internal training teams.
• Maintain accountability for workflow management, resource allocation, and service delivery.
• Champion a culture of excellence, collaboration, and client focus.

Person Specification

• Proven experience in financial services, ideally within paraplanning, client services, or operational support.
• Strong leadership and team management skills, with a track record of driving performance and service standards.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Strategic thinker with strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple priorities.
• Familiarity with FCA regulations and compliance within financial advice firms.
• Experience using MI to support performance monitoring and bonus schemes is desirable.

Qualifications

• Industry qualifications (e.g., CII/PFS) are advantageous but not essential.
• A strong understanding of the financial advice process and the roles of paraplanning and client support is essential.

Working Arrangements

• Hybrid working model: minimum of 3 days per week in the office, with flexibility to work remotely for the remainder.
• Office located in the North East, supporting client-facing teams.

Benefits

• 25 days holiday, plus bank holidays and your birthday off.
• 3% employer pension contribution (with a minimum 5% employee contribution via salary sacrifice).
• Life Assurance cover starting the month after you join.
• Access to a flexible benefits platform with a range of discount schemes.