Job Title: Decision Support Analyst

Contract Type: Permanent

Location: Alderley Edge or Edinburgh  

Working style: Hybrid 50% home/office based

Closing date: 21st March 2024

We are seeking a talented and driven individual to join our team as a Decision Support Analyst to be based in our Alderley Edge or Edinburgh office.

This is a newly created role within our team and presents a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on our organisation. As a Decision Support Analyst, you will play a crucial role in the development and maintenance of our financial management information systems, ensuring accurate and timely reporting. It would also be expected that this role act as a mentor to the more junior members of the team and support their growth through knowledge transfer and provision of experience.

The role sits within the Financial Planning & Analysis team within Group Finance, as a central Hub the team is responsible for the build and execution of key Finance reports to support business decision making and performance management, maintaining existing reports/making changes and ad-hoc analysis deployed against resource demands from Finance Business Partners.

Working in this team would gain you strong understanding of the drivers of operating profit performance at a UK Life and Pension company, and that of Royal London’s business and of the relevant market and propositions, including competitors’ strategies, and understanding of market dynamics. There will also be opportunity to develop your ability to communicate in a professional and influential manner with colleagues, senior Executives and leaders and committees.

About the role

• Production and review of key financial data and information and interpretation of results with the purpose of delivering insightful analysis.
• Oversight of deliverables to Finance Business Partners, covering regular finance reporting & ad-hoc analysis for actuals, forecasting and business planning.
• Presentation of insight and analysis to senior stakeholders outside Finance and to users of cost data within Finance to inform business decisions.
• Taking proactive ownership of report production and process improvement to increase production efficiency and insight generated.
• Deliver high quality support to Finance senior managers and key stakeholders.
• Liaise with key Finance areas and wider business areas to understand the key drivers for the information and provide appropriate challenge.
• Take the lead in identifying areas for improvement and continuously improve key processes for controls, effectiveness and efficiency.
• Provide clear, effective communication of outcomes to key stakeholders across in Group Finance and the wider business.
• Perform control self-assessments and retain of control evidence, report to the Finance Manager identification of deficiencies.
• Recognised as an SME in the subject area.
• Support the improvement of capabilities within my team through knowledge transfer and provision of SME.
• Support the growth of more junior team members.
• Take ownership of own capability development.

About you

• Excellent organisational and planning skills.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to draw out key messages in a non-complex way.
• Can communicate complex financial matters clearly and precisely.
• Experience of dealing directly with senior stakeholders in an effective way.
• Ability to communicate in a professional and influential manner with colleagues, senior Executives and managers, committees and to third parties.
• Understanding of data processes, solutions, and how these can be used to track performance.
• Strong understanding of a company’s cost base and cost allocations processes.
• Accounting qualification
• Knowledge or experience in PowerBI.

About Royal London

We’re the UK’s largest mutual life, pensions and investment company, offering protection, long-term savings and asset management products and services.   

Our People Promise to our colleagues is that we will all work somewhere inclusive, responsible, enjoyable and fulfilling. This is underpinned by our Spirit of Royal London values; Empowered, Trustworthy, Collaborate, Achieve. 

We've always been proud to reward employees by offering great workplace benefits such as 28 days annual leave in addition to bank holidays, an up to 14% employer matching pension scheme and private medical insurance. You can see all our benefits here - Our Benefits  

Inclusion, diversity and belonging 

We’re an Inclusive employer. We celebrate and value different backgrounds and cultures across Royal London. Our diverse people and perspectives give us a range of skills which are recognised and respected – whatever their background.