At M&G our purpose is to give everyone real confidence to put their money to work. As an international savings and investments business with roots stretching back more than 170 years, we offer a range of financial products and services through Asset Management, Life and Wealth. All three operating segments work together to deliver attractive financial outcomes for our clients, and superior shareholder returns. Through our behaviours of 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 work place accommodations to ensure you have what you need to effectively deliver in your role. Role Purpose: The Lead Finance Solution Architect is responsible for ensuring that robust, scalable, and innovative solutions are designed and implemented that meet the strategic and operational needs of the Finance function, covering both financial and actuarial systems and process architecture. This role requires a deep understanding of financial systems, actuarial models, and enterprise architecture principles to ensure alignment with business objectives and regulatory requirements. Key Responsibilities: Solution Design and Architecture: Partner with the Finance business leads to develop and maintain the overall architecture for finance and actuarial systems, ensuring alignment with enterprise architecture standards and business goals. Ensure end-to-end solutions are designed that integrate various financial and actuarial systems, ensuring data consistency, accuracy, and security. Collaborate with stakeholders to understand business requirements and their translation into technical specifications and architectural designs. Technical Leadership: Provide technical leadership and guidance to development teams, ensuring best practices in software development, system integration, and data management. Partner with the Finance business leads on the evaluation and selection of new technologies, tools, and platforms that enhance the capabilities of finance and actuarial systems. Mentor and develop junior architects and technical staff, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement. Design and Implementation Management: Partner with the Finance business leads on the design and implementation of finance and actuarial strategic solutions to ensure alignment with the enterprise architecture. Coordinate with project managers, business analysts, and other stakeholders to ensure successful project execution and delivery. Manage risks and issues related to solution architecture, providing timely resolution and mitigation strategies. Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including finance and actuarial teams, IT, and external vendors. Be proactive with external vendors to ensure a strong understanding of industry developments. Communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders, ensuring a clear understanding of the benefits and implications of proposed solutions. Act as a trusted advisor to senior management, providing insights and recommendations on technology strategy and investment. Compliance and Governance: Establish and enforce governance frameworks for solution architecture, including a design authority, documentation, review processes, and quality assurance ensuring consideration is given to relevant regulatory requirements, industry standards, and internal policies. Monitor and report on the performance and effectiveness of finance and actuarial systems, identifying opportunities for improvement. Qualifications and Experience: Qualified accountant or actuary with extensive experience (typically 10 years) in Finance Services ideally with Life Insurance experience. Strong knowledge of financial and actuarial principles, models, and regulatory requirements, with a focus on finance and actuarial systems and processes. Proven track record of designing and implementing complex, large-scale solutions in a financial services or insurance environment. Excellent understanding of enterprise architecture frameworks, methodologies, and best practices. Strong knowledge of relevant technologies and platforms, such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, actuarial software, data analytics tools, and cloud computing. Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership abilities. Key Competencies: Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop long-term vision and strategy for finance and actuarial solutions. Technical Expertise: Deep understanding of finance and actuarial systems, technologies, and best practices. Leadership: Ability to lead and inspire technical teams, driving innovation and excellence. Influencing: Strong ability to adapt style to inspire and motivate others while effectively communicating the vision. Collaboration: Strong ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders, fostering a collaborative environment. Adaptability: Flexibility to adapt to changing business needs and technological advancements. Work Level: Integration Leader Recruiter: Matt Campbell Close Date: 10th February 2025 We have a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture at M&G plc, 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. Being a Disability Confident Leader means that candidates who meet the minimum criteria of a job, will be offered an interview if they 'opt in' to the scheme when applying. 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: careersmandg.com