Divisional Finance Director - AJ Bell : Job Details

Are you a strategic thinker with a passion for shaping the future of financial services? AJ Bell is seeking a Finance Director for our Advised Division. This is a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role in driving the strategic planning, commercial management, and long-term growth of one of the UK’s leading platform businesses.

About the Role

As Finance Director for the Advised Division, you will work closely with the Managing Director and senior management team to develop and deliver the division’s strategic vision. Your expertise in strategic planning, business forecasting, and commercial management will help guide the division toward sustainable and profitable growth.

You’ll also ensure alignment with Consumer Duty principles, working collaboratively to deliver value to our customers and achieve positive outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Planning:

• Lead the development of long-term strategic plans, aligning initiatives with AJ Bell’s corporate objectives.
• Identify opportunities and threats in the advised market to drive proactive decision-making.
• Present strategy proposals and progress updates to the Executive Committee and Board.

Financial Planning:

• Oversee the annual business planning, forecasting, and budgeting processes for the advised business unit.
• Provide data-driven insights to inform decision-making and monitor short-term plan execution.

Commercial Management:

• Evaluate pricing strategies and strategic partnerships to enhance revenue streams.
• Drive initiatives to improve profitability while maintaining customer value and outcomes.

Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement:

• Act as a trusted partner to the Advised Managing Director and Product Director, ensuring alignment of goals.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to execute initiatives seamlessly.

What We’re Looking For

• Qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA)
• A minimum of 10 years’ experience in strategic planning, corporate strategy, or a similar role within financial services.
• Deep understanding of the platform and advised markets and their competitive dynamics.
• Exceptional analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data and provide actionable insights.
• Proven ability to develop and execute long-term strategic plans, ensuring alignment with organisational goals.
• Commercial acumen with experience in pricing, profitability, and contract management.
• Strong collaboration and stakeholder management skills, with experience engaging at the Board and Executive level.

About us

AJ Bell is one of the fastest-growing investment platform businesses in the UK offering an award-winning range of solutions that caters for everyone, from professional financial advisers, to DIY investors with little to no experience. We have over 542,000 customers using our award-winning platform propositions to manage assets totalling more than £86.5 billion. Our customers trust us with their investments, and by continuously striving to make investing easier, we aim to help even more people take control of their financial futures.

Having listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange in December 2018, AJ Bell is now a FTSE 250 company.

Headquartered in Manchester with offices in central London and Bristol, we now have over 1,450 employees and have been named one of the UK's 'Best 100 Companies to Work For’ for six consecutive years and in 2024 named a Great Place to Work®.

Our perks and benefits

• Competitive starting salary depending on experience
• Starting holiday entitlement of 29 days, increasing up to 31 days with length of service and a holiday buy and sell scheme
• A choice of pension schemes with matched contributions up to 8%
• Discretionary bonus scheme
• Annual free share awards scheme
• Buy As You Earn (BAYE) Scheme
• Health Cash Plan - provided by SimplyHealth
• Private healthcare scheme and dental plan
• Free gym membership, with an on-site gym providing a wide range of free classes
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Bike loan scheme
• Sick pay+ pledge
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and shared parental leave
• Discounted nursery fees at Kids Planet on Exchange Quay
• Loans for travel season tickets
• Death in service scheme
• Paid time off for volunteer work
• Charitable giving opportunities through salary sacrifice
• Calendar of social events, including monthly payday drinks, annual Christmas party, summer party and much more
• Parking at Exchange Quay (subject to availability)
• Ongoing technical training
• Professional qualification support
• Talent development programmes
• Peer recognition scheme, with rewards including restaurant and shopping vouchers or time off
• Monthly leadership breakfasts and lunches

Hybrid working

At AJ Bell, our people are the heart of our culture. We believe in building strong connections by working together. That's why we offer a hybrid working model, where you’ll spend a minimum of 50% of your working time per month in the office. For new team members, an initial period will be full-time in the office to help you immerse yourself in our business and build valuable relationships with your colleagues.

AJ Bell is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and all employees are empowered to bring their whole self to work.