Project Manager - Temporary Contract Role
Role Purpose
The projects led by the successful individual will enable continuing corporate growth and transformation through the effective delivery of projects that, in partnership with business stakeholders, enable more flexible and efficient services, ensure compliance to regulations, improve use of technology, onboard new business solutions, realise target operating models and deliver leaner processes.
The role holder will be able to interact with internal and external parties, be a credible change professional and engender trust in both the change process and Schroders as an exemplary partner for our external clients.
We require an individual with an excellent track record of delivering large or complex projects across Business and Technology disciplines, either as individual projects or within a programme of work. It is expected that the individual will manage business analysts and potentially Subject Matter Experts via a matrix management approach.
About Us
Schroders is a global investment manager which provides active asset management, wealth management and investment solutions. We aim to provide excellent investment performance to clients through active management. We serve a diverse client base that includes pension schemes, insurance companies, sovereign wealth funds, endowments, foundations, high net worth individuals, family offices, as well as end clients through partnerships with distributors, financial advisers, and online platforms.
Established in 1804, we have around 5,500 people across 36 global locations. Schroders' success can be attributed to its diversified business model, spanning different asset classes, client types and geographies.
The Team
Schroders Wealth Transformation team is a newly established team with a remit across the transformation lifecycle from strategy to execution. We collaborate with our business and technology partners across the Schroders Group to enable our Cazenove and Schroders International Wealth business to thrive in an increasingly competitive, regulated and margin pressured global landscape by shaping, mobilising and delivering both transformational and essential change to allow the business to grow profitably while providing high levels of investment performance and client experience.
What you’ll do
Lead and support the shaping, initiation and mobilisation of projects and programmes as required.
Lead the delivery of complex/mulitple projects across a range of Wealth transformation initiatives and jurisdictions, within a programme or portfolio context or as a stand-alone initiative, taking full ownership for end-to-end delivery.
Collaborate with and influence senior and other business stakeholders to define and deliver against business outcomes and ensure clear, consistent reporting.
Consider the impacts to the whole of Schroders Wealth as a division, as well as our clients, when planning and managing delivery, including focus on commerciality
Challenge decisions when appropriate, safeguarding the project/ programme and its objectives.
Co-ordinate resources as allocated within matrix management frameworks aligned to the domains and functions from where there will be provided.
Effective project planning, including the construction, presentation and communication of roadmaps and detailed plans to required audiences.
Manage communication of progress and changes to the programme or portfolio team as well as the wider organisation when required. Either management of financial diligence & reporting of the projects budget or contribute to the programme / portfolio budgeting framework to secure delivery within budget.
Pro-active and effective risk and issue management, escalating through agreed channels when appropriate, but also act as a point of escalation for stakeholders and change resources on projects both directly and indirectly.
Pro-actively manage dependencies.
Understand and manage, where appropriate, the discipline and cadence of business readiness activities.
Create, own and manage project artefacts as necessary.
Understand organisational challenges as these impact projects under management and agree strategies to address these.
Deputise for Programme Manager(s) and Portfolio Lead(s) where appropriate.
Practice and promote the use of agreed standards for change, meeting all minimum standards, whilst adapting agreed methodologies, templates and artefacts to effectively support a range of scenarios.
Mentor and support the development of change expertise across Corporate Services Change and the wider Schroders community.
Support recruitment and onboarding process for internal and external hires
Provide change leadership in a range of scenarios and circumstances.
Contribute pro-actively to the evolution of a collaborative Wealth Transformation Team culture.
The knowledge, experience and qualifications you need
Proven Business Change Project Manager, ideally with experience in Front Office transformation and Data/AI initiatives.
Strong understanding and experience of the Wealth and Asset Management industry.
Demonstrated experience delivering complex business and technology transformation projects.
Relevant professional qualifications in project management and/or the wealth and asset management sector.
Knowledge of both Agile and Waterfall delivery methodologies and the ability to apply them appropriately.
Experience using a broad range of change management tools and techniques to drive successful outcomes.
Strong track record of delivering large-scale transformational change within complex organisations.
Ability to lead, motivate and coordinate cross-functional teams to achieve project objectives.
Excellent judgement, decision-making and problem-solving skills.
Proven stakeholder management capabilities, including building consensus, influencing outcomes and overcoming challenges at all levels.
Strong consulting and collaboration skills, with the ability to engage and influence senior leaders and executive stakeholders.
Understanding of target operating models, business architecture principles and organisational design frameworks.
Ability to communicate complex concepts clearly and concisely, including delivering challenging messages to senior and C-suite stakeholders.
Experience resolving complex issues, escalating appropriately where required and contributing to sustainable long-term solutions.
Skilled in negotiating priorities and trade-offs to ensure delivery of the highest-value outcomes.
Ability to facilitate discussions and drive effective decision-making across diverse stakeholder groups.
Strong commercial awareness, including experience managing budgets and balancing business objectives with wider organisational priorities.
Sound financial acumen and budgeting experience.
What you’ll be like
Demonstration of effective leadership to project teams and change resources.
Comfortable with ambiguity and change, and able to respond pro-actively to altered circumstances.
Receptive to others’ ideas and responds constructively to challenges.
Ability to handle pressure and manage setbacks constructively.
Pro-actively seeks feedback and accepts this positively. Regularly provides feedback to colleagues.
Committed to achieving higher levels of performance and sustained improvement.
Demonstrates resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to high standards and continuous improvement.
We Recognise Potential, Whoever You Are
Our purpose is to deliver excellent investment performance to clients through active management. We believe diverse perspectives and an inclusive culture help us make better decisions and achieve better outcomes for our clients. That's why inclusion is a strategic priority for us, and we are an equal opportunities employer. You are welcome here, regardless of your age, disability, gender identity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, socio-economic background, or any other protected characteristic.
We will consider flexible working arrangements for all roles and provide reasonable accommodations to support applicants and employees, including those with neurodiversity, disability, or physical and mental health needs. For more information, please visit our FAQs.