The Strategic Operations Manager for Sales & Distribution will provide dedicated support to the Managing Director of Sales & Distribution by optimizing performance across the sales units and providing high-level strategic insights. This role is responsible for building robust financial models, creating management information dashboards, and ensuring consistent, valuable reporting across all distribution units. The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker with strong analytical capabilities, able to provide actionable insights to drive growth and improve the Value of New Business (VNB).1. Reporting and AnalyticsDefine all key metrics for each S&D unitCreate and maintain consistent and valuable reports for all sales units, focusing on actionable insightsDevelop management information dashboards to monitor performance and support decision-makingAnalyse data, considering the influence of missing information, outliers, and confounding variablesReport on insights obtained to inform business strategiesConsult on areas of uncertainty to promote optimal use of ideas derived from dataCreate and update data sets that evolve with business needsBuild various financial models for client pitches and profitability analysisCreate financial budgets and sales targets for each sales unitPerform monthly forecasting of sales numbers and provide variance analysisConduct competitor and consumer market research to inform the forecastPresent findings to tie takeaways to clear recommendations and operational decisionsIdentify new business opportunities, such as undervalued securities or untapped revenue streamsWork with a team of financial analysts for decision-making and forecasting2. Business OptimizationAnalyse data and recommend strategies to lower acquisition costs and improve profitabilityWork closely with the Business Information technical team to develop Power BI reportsSupport and collaborate with business process owners and stakeholdersDefine scope, key outcomes, and objectives of the workConsider technological capabilities and business risks in process stepsConduct analysis to identify root causes of problems and areas of opportunityFacilitate stakeholder reviews of processes and potential solutionsSupport business process owners in implementing future-state designs3. Operational Support & Stakeholder EngagementCoordinate with the Legal department on contracting and complianceWork with the Finance team on translating unit-level income statementsCollaborate with the Commission department for accurate commission paymentsSign off on all month-end financial resultsLiaise with internal and external stakeholders to foster positive relationshipsProvide strategic advice to ensure communications meet stakeholder needsDevelop tools and resources to build stakeholder engagement skillsMonitor the political environment to identify emerging issuesManage stakeholder systems and knowledge networks4. Strategic Planning & SupportAssist the MD in strategic planning for S&DConduct research to identify growth opportunities and market trendsDevelop strategic plans to drive business growthCollaborate with cross-functional teams to align strategiesConduct regular performance evaluations of strategic initiativesProvide guidance to team members in implementing strategic plansStay updated on industry trends to provide insights to leadershipIdentify risks that may impact strategic objectives and propose mitigation strategiesPrepare and present reports to senior leadershipEducation and Experience RequirementsBachelor's degree in finance, Business Administration, Economics, or related field5+ years of experience in financial analysis, business operations, or strategic planningProven track record in creating complex financial modelsExperience with Sales and Distribution functions, preferably in financial services or insuranceAdvanced proficiency in data visualization tools (e.g., Power BI) and ExcelKey Performance Indicators (KPIs)Consistency and accuracy of management reportsAchievement of VNB targetsReduced acquisition costs through strategy recommendationsTimeliness and effectiveness of forecasts and budget analysesKey Leadership SkillsRelationship buildingAgility and adaptabilityInnovation and creativityEmployee motivationConflict managementNegotiationPersonal AbilitiesEmpathetic, friendly, professional, and accountableAssertive yet compassionateAbility to perform well under pressureConfident and resilientExcellent listening and communication skillsKnowledge & AttributesExcellent time management and organization skillsStrong written and verbal communication skillsStrong proficiency in Microsoft productsAbility to create visual modelsAbility to facilitate working sessions and perform independent researchCritical thinking and problem-solving skillsAbility to manage ambiguity and embrace new informationAble to work on multiple initiatives simultaneously
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