Senior Project Manager

M&G plc; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services company in Greater London is seeking a Senior Project Manager to lead data transformation initiatives. This role involves managing cross-functional projects, developing comprehensive plans, and engaging with stakeholders. The ideal candidate has significant experience in financial services, proficiency in Agile methodologies, and a relevant project management qualification. M&G offers a robust benefits package, including generous annual leave and health coverage, promoting a balanced work-life environment.

Benefits

18% pension scheme with employer contributions

38 days annual leave

Private healthcare and life assurance

Paid parental leave

Qualifications

• Significant experience delivering large, cross-functional change initiatives in financial services.
• Proven track record managing projects with substantial budget responsibility.
• Strong working knowledge of Agile methodologies and Waterfall approaches.
• Demonstrable experience engaging with senior stakeholders up to Director level.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of data transformation initiatives end-to-end.
• Develop and maintain project plans and roadmaps.
• Establish project governance and report to senior leaders.
• Build relationships with stakeholders and influence project outcomes.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Risk management

Agile methodologies

Analytical skills

Communication

Education

Relevant project management qualification (e.g., PRINCE2)

Tools

Project management tools

Advanced planning tools

Job description

Our purpose is to give everyone real confidence to put their money to work. With a heritage dating back more than 175 years, we have a long history of innovation in savings and investments, combining asset management and insurance expertise to offer a wide range of solutions.

Our two distinct operating segments, Asset Management and Life, work together to provide access to balanced, long-term investment and savings solutions.

Through telling it like it is, owning it now, and moving it forward together with care and integrity; we are creating an exceptional place to work for exceptional talent.

We will consider flexible working arrangements for any of our roles and also offer workplace accommodations to ensure you have what you need to effectively deliver in your role.

Context

M&G is making material investments in its digital and data capabilities, to improve customer experience, streamline processes, improve controls and embed data in the way we operate.

We are ramping up a Group-wide data transformation project to drive material improvements in complex, cross-functional processes operating across Asset Management, Life insurance and Finance, through better access to data. The project aims to implement high-impact, data-driven use cases in subsequent, time-boxed waves. Each wave will enable the Group to progressively upgrade data foundations and capabilities, while enabling the re-engineering of key processes and building momentum across the organisation. Benefits will primarily consist in data-led control improvements at first, before expanding to structural efficiency gains, while ensuring we build reusable data products as we progress.

The Senior Project Manager will lead delivery of selected transformation initiatives end-to-end, ensuring successful implementation and adoption across the business. The initial focus will be a strategic Real Estate data product, and associated Business Processes. You'll need to hit the ground running, picking up knowledge transfer and ensuring continuity as we transition from contractor-led delivery to permanent capability.

Key Accountabilities for this Role

• Take ownership of defined data transformation projects from inception through to completion and benefits realisation, defining scope, objectives, and success criteria in collaboration with sponsors across Asset Management, Life Insurance, and Finance
• Develop and maintain comprehensive project plans and roadmaps, managing interdependencies across workstreams and resolving conflicts between competing priorities and breaking down silos
• Establish and chair project governance forums, producing clear reporting for the project leadership and senior leaders on status, risks, issues, and decisions required
• Build and maintain strong relationships with senior stakeholders acting as the primary point of contact and influencing without direct authority to secure resources and commitment
• Develop and manage initiative-level budgets, tracking expenditure and ensuring value for money while preparing business cases and investment proposals
• Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate risks using advanced tools and techniques, escalating appropriately and developing contingency plans
• Provide guidance, coaching and feedback to business analysts & business process re‑engineering leads, coaching and developing them while stepping in to support delivery directly when needed
• Work closely with change management and business readiness teams to ensure open lines of communication and successful adoption of project deliverables and establish mechanisms to track benefits realisation post-implementation

Key Skills and Experience

• Significant experience delivering large, cross‑functional change initiatives from inception to closure in financial services or similarly regulated industries
• Proven track record managing projects with substantial budget responsibility and demonstrable business impact
• Hands‑on experience working within projects, not just directing from above‑you know what good delivery looks like because you have done it yourself
• Strong working knowledge of Agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban, SAFe) and Waterfall approaches, with experience applying hybrid delivery models and adapting methodology to suit project context
• Demonstrable experience engaging with senior stakeholders up to Director level across multiple business functions
• Strong leadership presence with excellent communication skills and ability to synthesise complex information clearly for different audiences
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities with commercial acumen and financial expertise
• Proficiency in project and project management tools and advanced planning and reporting tools
• A relevant project management qualification such as MSP (Managing Successful Projects), PRINCE2 Practitioner or PRINCE2 Agile is highly desirable; Agile certifications (e.g., AgilePM, SAFe, Scrum Master) are beneficial

Key Behaviours

• A doer as well as a leader - willing to get stuck in and work alongside your team, leading by example and unblocking issues personally rather than simply delegating and directing
• Resilient under pressure - maintains momentum through resistance and finds pragmatic solutions while adapting to changing circumstances
• Collaborative leader - builds coalitions and aligns stakeholders across organisational boundaries, creating an environment where your team feels confident to speak up and challenge constructively
• Outcome‑focused - fundamentally someone who makes things happen rather than just talks about them, holding others accountable while being equally willing to be held accountable yourself
• Adaptable - comfortable operating in ambiguity and navigating change effectively, recognising that individuals have different strengths and working styles

We recognise that great candidates do not always tick every box. If you are excited by this role and believe you could do it well, we would be interested in hearing about the value you could bring to the Group Data Transformation project and M&G.

Work Level

Manager / Expert

Recruiter

Matt Campbell

Close Date

9th January 2025

What we offer

At M&G, we're committed to helping you thrive and supporting your wellbeing, both at work and beyond. Our benefits are designed to help you balance your professional and personal life, while planning confidently for your future. Our UK benefits include :

• As a savings and Investments firm we are proud to offer a valuable pension scheme of 18% , with 13% made up of Employer Contributions and 5% Employee Contributions .We also offer Share Save and our Share Incentive Plan , together with access to financial wellbeing and support services - to help give you real confidence to put your money to work.
• Enjoy 38 days annual leave including bank holidays, with the opportunity to purchase up to 5 extra days and additional flexibility through our Time Off When You Need It policy - to balance your work and personal commitments.
• Our market leading Inspiring Families policy includes comprehensive support and paid parental leave covering maternity, adoption, surrogacy, and paternity leave - as supporting families is a core aspect of our inclusive culture.
• Health & Protection cover including Private Healthcare , Critical Illness cover and Life Assurance for you, with family options - for peace of mind.

To explore more about life at M&G and our full benefits offering, visit Life at M&G

M&G has a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture at M&G, underpinned by our policies and our employee‑led networks who provide networking opportunities, advice and support for the diverse communities our colleagues represent. Regardless of gender, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, nationality, disability or long term condition, we are looking to attract, promote and retain exceptional people. We also welcome those who take part in military service and those returning from career breaks.

M&G is also proud to be a Disability Confident Leader, and we welcome applications from candidates with long‑term health conditions, disabilities, or neuro‑divergent conditions.

If you need assistance or an alternative means of applying for a role due to a disability or additional need, please let us know by contacting us at : [e-mail]