Group Head of Reputational Risk and Strategic Planning
Our purpose is to give everyone real confidence to put their money to work. With a heritage dating back more than 175 years, we have a long history of innovation in savings and investments, combining asset management and insurance expertise to offer a wide range of solutions.
Our two distinct operating segments, Asset Management and Life, work together to provide access to balanced, long‑term investment and savings solutions.
Through telling it like it is, owning it now, and moving it forward together with care and integrity, we are creating an exceptional place to work for exceptional talent.
We will consider flexible working arrangements for any of our roles and also offer workplace accommodations to ensure you have what you need to effectively deliver in your role.
The role is responsible for leading M&G plc’s management of reputational risk across the Group and coordinating strategic planning across the Corporate Affairs, Sustainability and Brand function (CASB).
There are two primary responsibilities:
* Reputational Risk: The role holder will lead identify and manage (proactively and reactively) a range of reputational risks that could impact negatively on the perception held by a range of stakeholder groups of M&G plc and across the portfolio of brands (currently M&G and Pru, in the UK and M&G Investments, globally). You will provide expert advice to ensure efficient progression of reputational risk matters from trigger to execution.
* Strategic Planning and Execution: The role holder will lead strategic planning for the CASB function to ensure an effective planning function that supports the delivery of the collective corporate affairs strategy in order to implement consistent, coordinated activity with maximum impact. This includes maintaining a centralised planning system, planning and managing key Corporate events such as CASB’s contribution to Group financial results and the Annual Report and Accounts cycle, overseeing the coordination of issues management, campaigns and thought leadership activity, and supporting external communications activity for the CEO and Chair.
This role will involve working with all teams in CASB, with a significant focus on external communications and Brand, including digital, media, sustainability and policy and public affairs.
Line management responsibilities will be for two direct reports:
* Reputational Risk Manager
* Corporate communications, strategic planning and campaigns manager
The Group Head of Reputational Risk and Strategic Planning will report to the Head of External Relations.
What is Reputational Risk?
Reputational risk is the risk of failure to meet stakeholder expectations as a result of any event, behaviour, action or inaction, either by itself, our employees or those with whom we are associated, that may cause stakeholders to form a negative view of M&G.
How do we manage reputational risk?
Our risk appetite encapsulates consideration of reputational risks, and the responsibilities and procedures for identifying, assessing and escalating reputational risks. Our policies ensure reputational risk matters are managed in a consistent manner and align with the Group’s strategic priorities. They also define the control and oversight standards to effectively manage reputational risk and are supported by procedures across our businesses and functions.
Strategic advice
* Act as a subject matter expert, providing strategic advice, challenge and support on reputational matters to senior management, including the GEC and SLT.
* Identify, manage and control reputational risk in conjunction with the business, ensuring swift escalation and fully considered decisions.
* Awareness of Group strategic drivers and business area priorities and how this translates into proactive management of reputation and Brand.
* Drive delivery of strategic standards and policies to manage the Group’s exposure to reputational risk commercially effectively.
* Serve as a subject matter expert on industry‑accepted best practices in managing reputational risk, providing direction and guidance to business units, regional and functional teams in line with M&G’s risk appetite.
* Support senior management and committees on key reputational risk trends.
* Run, direct and chair the Group’s Reputational Risk Forum and attend relevant business committees to provide a reputational risk lens.
* Support the Group Director of Regulatory Affairs, the Group Director of Corporate Affairs and Brand and the Group Head of External Relations in working with regulators, the government, NGOs and industry bodies on reputational matters.
Research and reporting
* Build an effective monitoring environment that provides oversight of MI, key trends, identifies emerging issues and focuses on areas of reputational concern and opportunity.
* Develop key metrics to monitor trends in reputational risks to define and assess risk appetite and inform oversight.
* Oversee the production of standardised reports and MI on reputational risk management.
* Conduct forward‑looking analyses and assessments of reputational risks/opportunities, partnering with the wider business to develop risk management solutions and plans.
* Draft reports and papers and conduct research related to reputational risk matters.
* Maintain the reputational risk register to drive decision making.
* Support the Director of Corporate Affairs to advise the GEC and Board on material reputational risk issues and potential impact.
Governance and training
* Lead and manage the Group’s risk management approach to reputational risk, covering all key business decisions, risk appetite, Risk & Control Self Assessments and emerging risk reviews, following the Group risk framework.
* Chair the Group’s Reputational Risk Forum, collaborating with business areas and using insights to inform the Group’s management and review.
* Conduct an annual review of the Reputational Risk Policy and Framework to embed it into key processes, controls and activities.
* Cascade relevant Group policies and procedures, providing guidance and support to ensure implementation and embedding.
* Develop and implement Group‑wide standards and policies on reputational risk with key stakeholders, including the second‑line risk team.
* Identify training needs and deliver a robust education programme to assist employees and key influencers in managing reputational risks.
* Support the Corporate Affairs team’s existing risk framework, including the Risk & Controls Forum.
* Set core agenda, prepare papers, take minutes and report to the GEC and Board, recommending actions and reviewing escalated risk.
What is Strategic Planning?
Strategic planning is ensuring a centralised planning approach that enables the CASB to deliver consistent, coordinated activity across all CASB communications disciplines, proactively or reactively, to meet the Group’s strategic objectives.
How do we manage strategic planning?
Maintain efficient planning systems to drive operational excellence, working closely with all CASB teams to run a centralised planning system that supports monthly and quarterly cycles and provides clear visibility of internal and external activities.
Key responsibilities
* Centralised planning – run, oversee and maintain the CASB’s central planning system, manage and coordinate monthly and quarterly planning meetings.
* Corporate communications reporting – manage and oversee major corporate communications projects such as Group financial results, M&A, Annual Report and Accounts cycle, ensuring alignment on delivery milestones.
* Issues management – oversee proactive risk identification and response planning with relevant colleagues.
* Campaigns/Thought leadership – plan, organise and coordinate integrated campaigns and lead thought‑leadership initiatives.
* CEO and Chair communications – support external communications activity for the CEO and Chair, ensuring alignment with strategic messaging.
Experience
Experience, skills and attributes
* Proven team leader able to motivate colleagues to execute at pace in a complex environment.
* Significant experience within financial services or an international organisation.
* Experience working in a listed environment and managing financial reporting communication requirements.
* Demonstrated expertise in reputational risk management and ability to gain confidence of senior management.
* Experience in mitigating reputational risk and managing strategic planning across multi‑disciplinary communication teams.
* Sound judgement based on expert knowledge of reputational risk.
* Lateral thinker and problem solver in complex environments.
* Thought leadership and campaigns experience, particularly for corporate communications across media, policy and public affairs, producing high‑quality written communications.
Skills
* Excellent communicator with strong interpersonal, influencing and relationship‑building skills.
* Proficient in MS Office suite and Microsoft Teams.
* Strong attention to detail and highly organised, able to manage multiple projects.
Attributes
* Self‑starter with organisational and prioritisation skills, attention to detail.
* Positive proactive attitude, fostering links between teams.
* Work independently or collaboratively in an extremely fast‑paced team.
* Flexible approach, responding to changing needs.
* Proactive and “no surprises” approach to communication of issues.
What we offer
* Valuable pension scheme: 18% with 13% employer contributions and 5% employee contributions, along with Share Save and Share Incentive Plan, plus access to financial wellbeing and support services.
* 38 days annual leave including bank holidays, with option to purchase up to 5 extra days and additional flexibility through Time Off When You Need It policy.
* Inspiring Families policy with comprehensive support and paid parental leave covering maternity, adoption, surrogacy and paternity leave.
* Health & Protection cover including Private Healthcare, Critical Illness cover and Life Assurance with family options.
Life at M&G
Explore more about life at M&G and our full benefits offering.
Disability Confident Leader
M&G welcomes applications from candidates with long‑term health conditions, disabilities, or neuro‑divergent conditions. We also welcome veterans and those returning from career breaks.
If you need assistance or an alternative means of applying due to a disability or additional need, please let us know by contacting careers@mandg.com.
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