Head of Investments - Life & Pensions

<p><strong>Head of Investments (UK)</strong></p><p><strong>Location:</strong> United Kingdom, flexible</p><p><br></p><p>A leading UK financial services organisation is seeking an experienced investment leader to take ownership of its customer and shareholder investment strategy, overseeing a substantial multi-asset portfolio within a highly regulated environment.</p><p><br></p><p>This is a rare opportunity to join a well-established, acquisitive business with a strong balance sheet, significant assets under management and a track record of sustained growth. Reporting directly to the CFO and operating as a member of the Finance Leadership Team, the successful candidate will play a pivotal role in shaping investment strategy, balance sheet optimisation, governance, sustainability initiatives and M&amp;A activity.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>The Opportunity</strong></p><p><br></p><p>The Head of Investments will be responsible for leading investment strategy across customer and shareholder assets, ensuring portfolios are optimised within agreed risk appetite whilst supporting broader corporate objectives.</p><p><br></p><p>The role combines strategic investment leadership with oversight of outsourced investment managers, asset liability management, governance, sustainability and transaction support.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Key responsibilities include:</strong></p><p><br></p><ul><li>Developing and implementing investment strategy and asset allocation frameworks.</li><li>Providing oversight and challenge to external investment managers and advisers.</li><li>Leading investment governance, policy development and committee reporting.</li><li>Driving investment risk management and balance sheet optimisation initiatives.</li><li>Supporting corporate transactions, integrations and investment-related due diligence.</li><li>Leading sustainability-related investment initiatives and embedding ESG considerations into decision making.</li><li>Managing key relationships across Finance, Risk, executive leadership and external partners.</li><li>Leading and developing a small, high-performing investments team.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Candidate Profile</strong></p><p><br></p><p>We are interested in speaking with senior investment professionals who can demonstrate:</p><p><br></p><ul><li>Significant experience leading customer and/or shareholder investment strategies across diversified portfolios.</li><li>A strong understanding of investment risk management and governance frameworks.</li><li>Experience overseeing third-party investment managers and service providers.</li><li>Asset Liability Management (ALM) expertise, ideally gained within a regulated financial services environment.</li><li>Strong executive communication skills with experience presenting to Boards, Committees and senior stakeholders.</li><li>A track record of influencing strategic decision-making and delivering commercial outcomes.</li><li>Leadership experience with the ability to develop teams and build stakeholder credibility.</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Experience within life insurance, pensions, long-term savings or broader institutional investment environments would be particularly attractive.</p><p><br></p><p>Professional qualifications such as CFA, FIA/FFA, CAIA, ACCA or CIMA are welcomed but not essential.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Why Consider This Role?</strong></p><p><br></p><p>This position offers the opportunity to influence investment strategy at executive level within a growing, complex organisation undergoing continued transformation and strategic development. The successful candidate will have significant visibility across the business and play a key role in investment performance, sustainability initiatives and future corporate transactions.</p><p><br></p>