Job role Managing Director (SMF1) Reports to Chair Location Office in Leeds, LS15 8ZB Package Competitive salary plus bonus dependent on experience, plus these benefits: 25 days holiday – plus bank holidays Birthday day off Holiday purchase scheme Flexible working hours Cash healthcare plan Cycle to work scheme Car share scheme Enhanced maternity and paternity pay Gym discounts Access to training Hours of work 37.5 hours per week. Hours of work will be flexible and dictated by the needs of the business, therefore it is expected that the successful applicant will work those hours necessary to successfully discharge the duties of the role. Out of hours cover is also required as per a rota. About the role Overview As Managing Director (SMF1) of Age Partnership (AP), you will hold full responsibility for the strategic leadership, operational performance, culture, and regulatory compliance as an FCA-authorised firm. You will act as both SMF1 and SMF3, ensuring the business meets all obligations under the Senior Managers & Certification Regime (SMCR) and consistently delivers good customer outcomes under Consumer Duty. Age Partnership operates within Sovereign Life Group (SLG), but as MD you will retain ultimate accountability for the governance, conduct, and performance of the regulated entitles in Age Partnership Group. You will work in close partnership with SLG to ensure strategic alignment and to maximise synergies, whilst maintaining independent judgement and clear decision-making authority for the firm’s regulated activities. Working closely with the senior leadership, you will lead Age Partnership in delivering sustainable growth, operational excellence, and digital and AI-enabled transformation in support the wider Group’s vision. Main Responsibilities Customer First: Champion customer-centric initiatives that enhance the overall customer experience, foster loyalty and repeat business, and ensure the consistent delivery of high-quality advice and service. Embed Consumer Duty principles throughout the business, ensuring all decisions and propositions deliver fair value and good outcomes for customers. Leadership & Strategy: Provide strategic leadership across Age Partnership, setting a clear direction and culture that supports both business performance and SLG objectives. Translate strategic goals into operational plans and ensure delivery against key commercial, customer, and regulatory targets. Governance & Board Accountability: Hold FCA SMF1 and SMF3 responsibilities, ensuring effective governance, accountability, and oversight. Maintain strong systems, controls, and clear delegation under SMCR. Work closely with the Board and Executive Leadership Team to ensure informed decision-making. Business Performance: Take full ownership of the financial and commercial performance of Age Partnership, working closely with the Group Finance Director to ensure effective budgeting, forecasting, and capital management. Deliver sustainable profitability through disciplined cost control, operational efficiency, and growth in revenue-generating activities. Compliance & Risk Management: Ensure all activities comply with FCA requirements and exceed expectations under Consumer Duty. Work with the Compliance Director to embed robust regulatory frameworks and maintain effective risk management. Innovation & Product Development: Collaborate with the Group Chief Commercial Officer and Chief Advice Officer to develop and launch products and propositions that meet evolving customer needs and market trends. Encourage innovation that leverages data and technology to add value and efficiency. Innovation, Digital & AI Transformation: Lead and support digital transformation, working closely with the Group Chief Technology Officer to harness automation, AI, and data-led innovation. Champion new technologies that enhance customer experience, operational efficiency, and scalability. People & Culture: Lead, inspire, and develop the senior leadership team and wider business to create a high-performing, customer-focused culture aligned with the Group Guiding Principles. Set clear objectives and performance expectations, promoting accountability and collaboration. Financial Oversight: Work closely with the Group Finance Director to manage budgets, forecasts, and financial performance across all service lines, ensuring profitability and sustainable growth. Reporting & Analysis: Provide regular, transparent updates to the Board on commercial, operational, and regulatory performance, including key metrics, emerging risks, opportunities, and challenges. Stakeholder Management: Represent Age Partnership with professionalism and integrity in dealings with regulators, lenders, industry bodies and external partners. Build trusted relationships across the Group and the wider industry to enhance the company’s reputation and influence within the market. Group Collaboration: Work collaboratively with other Sovereign Life Group entities to maximise synergies, share best practice, and deliver shared strategic initiatives. About us Not your typical financial services firm… Established in 2004, Age Partnership has held true to its pledge to improve the markets in which we operate for the benefit of customers. We do this by delivering world-class customer experiences, continually innovating and embracing digital technology to make dealing with the company both efficient and engaging. At Age Partnership we accept nothing other than being the best at what we do, and this objective is reinforced by an environment in which colleagues are encouraged to engage, to learn and to flourish. Significant in-house training and development facilities and empowerment of colleagues are just a couple of components that have helped this culture to thrive. We strive in becoming a household name that is synonymous with excellence. Added to this we want to work, collaborating with all our partners and suppliers to enable our customers benefit from the relationship. It sounds simple but it needs to be worked on to achieve. Our Values Customer first Customers come from all walks of life, and great service comes from seeing the world from their point of view. Win together We’re all on the same side, working hard to be the best in our business and deliver for our customers. Do the right thing Success is built on pursuing what’s right for our customers and the business. Raise the bar A market leader has to continually surprise its customers and drive the business forward About the person Overview The ideal candidate will be a visionary and commercially astute leader with a proven track record of delivering strong performance, governance, and regulatory standards within financial services. You will bring extensive experience in managing diverse product lines and leading through others in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment. You will have deep knowledge of the later life market, including hands-on experience in Equity Release, Residential Mortgages, and Wealth Management, with the credibility to lead a regulated business that sets the standard for quality, integrity, and customer outcomes. A strategic thinker and skilled operator, you can translate long-term goals into clear, deliverable plans while inspiring confidence across colleagues, partners, and regulators. Your leadership style is decisive yet collaborative, with a strong focus on people, culture, and accountability. Above all, you are customer-obsessed – driven to deliver exceptional value, sustainable growth, and long-term trust. You thrive in a dynamic environment and are seeking a role that combines strategic influence with operational leadership at the highest level of an ambitious and growing Group. Qualifications, skills and knowledge: Essential Proven experience in a senior executive or Managing Director role within a regulated financial services business. Strong understanding of the financial advice and later life markets, including equity release, mortgages, and wealth management. Demonstrable experience in leading multi-disciplinary teams and delivering growth through strategic leadership and operational excellence. Deep understanding of FCA regulation, governance, and conduct standards, with experience of holding or readiness to hold SMF1 and SMF3 responsibilities. Strong financial and commercial acumen, with experience managing budgets, P&L, and delivering sustainable profitability. Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to inspire and influence colleagues, regulators, and stakeholders. Proven ability to embed a strong culture of accountability, compliance, and customer focus. Highly analytical with sound judgement and a track record of driving business transformation and innovation. Full UK Driving Licence. Desirable Strong network across later life lending, financial advice, and financial services sectors. Experience operating within a Group structure, collaborating with senior leaders across multiple regulated entities.