Senior Advice Optimisation Manager

Wesleyan; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

28 days holiday

Hybrid working

Pension scheme

Underground parking

Salary sacrifice benefits

Family leave & volunteering

Job summary

Wesleyan is seeking a Senior Advice Optimisation Manager in Birmingham to lead strategic optimisation and transformation across Wealth Advice. You will report to the Head of Adviser Model & Transformation, directing governance, prioritisation and delivery to achieve measurable improvements in customers, colleagues and operations.

You will influence senior stakeholders, oversee multiple initiatives and mentor teams while shaping future operating models and service propositions.

Qualifications

• Experience leading large-scale transformation programmes in regulated environments.
• Proven ability to deliver measurable business benefits and efficiency gains.
• Ability to influence executives and operate at senior management levels.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic optimisation and transformation portfolios for Wealth Advice.
• Act as deputy to the Head of Adviser Model & Transformation.
• Provide governance, prioritisation and delivery of key initiatives.
• Drive alignment between activity and corporate strategy.
• Coach teams and mentor colleagues across the transformation function.
• Build relationships with executive stakeholders and subject matter experts.

Skills

Business transformation

Operational improvement

Strategic change

Senior management

Cross-functional leadership

Governance

Stakeholder management

Data analytics

Commercial awareness

Job description

Contract Type: 18 Month Fixed Term Contract - 35 hours a week

Location: Hybrid working (office based in Birmingham) - typically 2 days in the office per week

Closing Date: Friday 6th November 2026

Shape Brighter Futures with Wesleyan

Established in 1841, Wesleyan help trusted professionals-GPs, hospital doctors, dentists, and teachers-secure their financial future. Today, we're proud to continue that mission with passion and purpose. If you're looking for a role where your expertise makes a real impact, and you want to work in a culture that values collaboration, innovation and integrity, we'd love to hear from you.

Find out more about who we are: About Wesleyan

Make a Difference in Advice & Distribution

As the Senior Advice Optimisation Manager, you will be responsible for leading strategic optimisation, transformation and operating model initiatives across the Wealth Advice business. Acting as deputy to the Head of Adviser Model & Transformation, you will provide leadership across transformation portfolios, strategic planning, governance, prioritisation and business change delivery. The role ensures that improvement activity translates into measurable commercial, customer, colleague and operational outcomes while supporting the long-term evolution of the Wealth Advice operating model.

Your Impact

• Act as deputy for the Head of Adviser Model & Transformation and assume leadership responsibility during periods of absence.
• Represent the function in senior leadership meetings, governance forums and strategic planning discussions.
• Support department planning, budgeting, workforce planning and prioritisation decisions.
• Provide senior escalation support and decision making for complex initiatives.
• Drive alignment between transformation activity and corporate strategy.
• Identify and sponsor opportunities that improve customer outcomes, business performance and operational efficiency.
• Lead reviews of customer and colleague journeys.
• Support the development of future-state operating models and service propositions.
• Oversee a portfolio of optimisation, business change and transformation initiatives.
• Establish governance, reporting and delivery standards.
• Monitor portfolio risks, dependencies, resources and benefits.
• Coach and mentor colleagues across the transformation function.
• Build relationships with executive stakeholders, business leaders and subject matter experts.
• Facilitate workshops, steering groups and governance meetings.
• Influence strategic decisions and drive adoption of change.

What You'll Bring

• Significant experience leading business transformation, operational improvement or strategic change programmes.
• Extensive experience within Financial Services, Wealth Management, Financial Advice, Banking or other regulated environments.
• Proven success leading large-scale transformation portfolios and delivering measurable business benefits.
• Experience operating at senior management level and influencing executive stakeholders.
• Demonstrable experience acting as a senior leader, department lead, deputy or functional lead.
• Strong experience designing and implementing target operating models and organisational change.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams across Advice, Operations, Risk, Technology and Customer functions.
• Proven track record of delivering productivity, efficiency, cost reduction or customer experience improvements.
• Experience establishing governance frameworks, programme controls and benefits realisation processes.
• Strong people leadership, coaching and capability-development experience.
• Excellent strategic planning, prioritisation and stakeholder management capability.
• Strong analytical, commercial and problem-solving skills supported by the effective use of data and insight.

Benefits That Work for You

We believe rewards should reflect the life you live. Here's what you can expect:

• Annual bonus to recognise your contribution.
• 28 days holiday (plus a culture day!) - rising to 30 days with service.
• Flexible hybrid working for better work-life balance.
• Company pension scheme - matched plus 2% (up to 10%).
• Free secure underground Birmingham city centre parking (subject to availability, weekend use included).
• Salary sacrifice schemes that help you provide the things that matter - to include PMI, Electric Vehicle Leasing and cashback on everyday essentials.
• Enhanced family leave and two volunteering days to give back to causes you care about.

Discover the full range of benefits: Wesleyan Careers Rewards

Why Wesleyan?

We're building a culture where everyone belongs. Diversity isn't just a policy—it’s part of who we are. Whatever your background, we want you to feel valued and empowered to thrive. We're proud supporters of the ABI Making Flexible Work campaign, which means we're open to discussing flexible working, job shares, and part-time options.

If you need reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, just let us know—we're here to support you.

What to Know Before Applying

• Right to Work: We're unable to provide VISA sponsorship, so you'll need the legal right to live and work in the UK.
• Advert Closing: We typically advertise for two weeks but may close early if we receive a high volume of applications—apply early to avoid disappointment.