Head of Operational and Regulatory Change

The Head of Operational and Regulatory Change will be responsible for ensuring that change and process improvements are resourced, analysed, risk managed and delivered successfully on time, within budget and to a consistently high quality - working with the operational product, development, testing, implementation, and business teams through to live. The role will be responsible for business analysis and execution and project management working in conjunction with the Product Delivery Manager and key stakeholders in relation to the prioritisation of changes.

The successful candidate will have experience in the change profession operating at a senior level, managing change teams such as business analysis, delivery teams and project management teams and with a proven track record of successfully delivering change of all scale from small change to large initiatives. Evidence of the ability to influence and to develop strong relationships at all levels is key, as is the need for excellent communication skills.

What does the job involve?

• Own and maintain the governance model and process for Business Analysis and Project Management.
• Manage a team of project managers and change managers in Operational Change to effectively deliver change in a consistent and robust manner.
• Leading and engaging the Analysis teams to deliver a portfolio of change and process improvement in line with agreed timescales, costs, and quality.
• Developing and maintaining strong working relations with senior management across business areas and with key internal and external stakeholders.
• Championing and fostering a culture of continuous improvement across the Business Analysis and project management teams, focusing on operational efficiency through operational change.
• Engage and collaborate with business teams ensuring change is captured and fed into the change process.
• Ensuring the Operational and Regulatory change function continuously improves business resilience and efficiency, delivering improved service and/or reducing costs for customers & advisers.
• Leading the analysis for large and ad hoc projects/initiatives through to successful implementation
• Alongside the Product Delivery Manager maintaining and driving the 'book of work' for Operational Change; to monitor and track change, drive change and escalate issues where appropriate.
• Produce appropriate MI to support the change process.
• Preparing, agreeing, and managing project / team budgets.
• In conjunction with the Head of Customer Operations and Product Delivery Manager; developing and implementing strategic people plans for the Business Analysis and Project Management teams, to include recruitment, performance management, training and development, succession planning and staff engagement, to build and support a high performing team,
• Maintaining a detailed knowledge of industry developments, including legislative change, current best practice, and relevant contacts within the industry.
• Supporting and enabling the business to achieve its regulatory requirements, including consumer duty.

Competence

• Experience at a senior level in operational change or business change roles
• Strong leadership and management skills; role model, acts inclusively, provides direction and clarity to own teams and wider business
• People management - engages and motivate teams to analysis teams work collaboratively and meet stretching goals. Actively seeks to improve others by providing constructive feedback, coaching, and mentoring
• Stakeholder management; builds and maintains positive relationships, including at Director level
• Strategic planning and delivery
• Sharing / adopting common practices across the Operational Change team
• Customer focused
• Project management (large and small)
• Highly effective communication skills, verbal and written
• Critical / creative thinking; effective problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Operational resilience and business continuity
• Technology and Operational risk
• Knowledge of the platform business, including CASS

Knowledge & skills

• Experience of multiple project delivery methodologies e.g. Agile, SDLC, SAFe
• Experience of delivering in a financially regulated environment desirable
• Financial services industry knowledge, e.g. pensions, investments and stockbroking, would be desirable
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to build and manage effective relationships
• Good business/commercial knowledge
• Analytical skills/problem solving
• Planning and organisational skills
• High attention to detail

About AJ Bell

AJ Bell is one of the UK's fastest-growing investment platform businesses, providing award-winning solutions for everyone, from professional financial advisers to first-time investors.

Today, over 723,000 customers trust us to manage more than £108.7 billion of assets. By continually striving to make investing simpler and more accessible, we're helping more people take control of their financial futures.

We're proud to be recognised as one of the UK's Best 100 Companies to Work For for six consecutive years, and a Great Place to Work in 2025 and 2026 a reflection of our supportive and collaborative culture.

What we offer

• 28 days holiday, increasing with service + buy/sell scheme + bank holidays
• 8% Pension with matched contributions
• Discretionary bonus scheme
• Share schemes (including free shares and BAYE)
• Health Cash Plan and discounted private healthcare
• Free onsite gym
• Enhanced family leave (subject to qualifying criteria)
• Travel and bike loan schemes
• Employee Assistance Programme

Life at AJ Bell

• Regular social events including summer and Christmas parties
• Learning and development opportunities tailored to you
• Casual dress code
• Friendly, supportive team environment

Our ways of working

We offer hybrid working, with a minimum of 60% of your working time per month spent in the office. For new starters, there's an initial period of full-time office working to help you settle in and build relationships.

Inclusion & diversity

We're committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels respected and able to be themselves at work. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and make hiring decisions based on skills, experience and potential.