Head of DEI Transformation and Programme Management

We have an incredible opportunity to join us here at Phoenix Group as a Head of DEI Transformation & Programme Management to join our Talent, Development & Inclusion team. We are seeking an influential, highly motivated and organised individual to drive the DEI programme across the business

To be successful you will need to be a proven leader, collaborator, and change agent and be able to bring people together to drive action that delivers real results and bring external insights and best practice.
 

This role is responsible for partnering with senior business leaders (Director level) in delivering our data-driven DEI strategy and plans and requires someone with the ability to influence senior leaders across the Group, requiring that you are a collaborative individual who is able to both influence without authority and work with significant autonomy and ambiguity.

Who are we?

We want to be the best place that any of our colleagues have ever worked.

We are the UK’s largest long-term savings and retirement business with c.13 million customers and c.£300 billion of assets under administration. As a market leader and FTSE100 organisation, we understand that our scale and expertise means that we have a key role to play for our customers, colleagues and our communities to help as many people as possible secure a life of possibilities. We are tackling key environmental and social issues such as transitioning our portfolio to net zero by 2050 – but we’re not done yet. 

We’ve seen huge growth and change, and this means there is enormous opportunity for our 7,000 colleagues to grow alongside us.

Flexible working

You can expect to work in a hybrid manner with time spent working in the office and at home. We believe that work/life balance offers benefits for customers as well as ensuring that you can balance a successful career with your life outside of work. We will discuss flexibility, what is important to you and balancing this with business requirements during the recruitment process.

We want to hire the whole version of you.

We are committed to ensuring that everyone feels accepted and safe at work, and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.  Everyone is valued at Phoenix regardless of age, gender identity, neurodiversity, race, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, socioeconomic background or anything else. Whether it’s joining one of our internal employee networks, being an ally, taking positive action or simply being there to listen, everyone at Phoenix is valued and respected.

If you need any help or adjustments to the recruitment process due to health, disability or anything else, please let us know so we can help you to be the best version of yourself.

The role:

• Lead and drive delivery of the DEI strategy across the Group in order to achieve our goals for achieving enhanced representation at leadership levels
• In this role you will be responsible for engaging stakeholders, aligning resources and project managing the delivery of a range of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives that truly embed change at Phoenix.
• With your combination of excellent programme management skills and understanding of the DEI landscape, you will plan, own and manage the project delivery of the DEI strategy in terms of critical path, deliverables, budget, risks, issues and dependencies
• You will build strong relationships with Senior Leaders, Business leaders and the Networks to drive change and embed the DEI agenda and drive alignment across the working group and Steerco, ensure proper and realistic scoping and delivery.
• You will promote the wider DEI agenda so that colleagues can understand where and how to access DEI need and engage stakeholders in the, ensuring their awareness and understanding of continuous education and transformation efforts
• Evaluate, update and assist with the rollout new policies, practices and processes that better deliver on our diversity, equity and inclusion goals and in turn, build belonging and enhance the employee experience.
• Drive data gathering and the use of data insights by business leaders to understand our organisation’s narrative and progress
• Hold leaders to account for delivering against agreed targets.
• Engage with HR leaders to review, build and embed DEI processes in benefits, retention, hiring, promotion, mentorship, pay equity, discrimination, harassment, and training.
• Devise and facilitate workshops to encourage new ways of working and solve problems.
• Manage third party DEI vendor relationships

What we’re looking for:

• Credible Programme Management leader with credible track record of delivery and interaction with Exec, Business Leaders, Colleagues 
• Track record of delivering scalable initiatives
• Experienced, inclusive DEI leader with excellent project management and relationship skills.
• A track record of successfully delivering: projects within budget constraints and facilitating high-quality work
• An outstanding Lead with an ability to manage multiple complex work streams.
• Exemplary interpersonal skills and amazing communicators that build rapport quickly with stakeholders from a diverse range of cultures and backgrounds.
• Experience of developing and rollout of DEI roadmaps that raise the profile and visibility of the UK business
• Exemplary project leadership skills to empower and drive success
• A brilliant facilitator of programme deliverables, with a pragmatic and hands on approach
• Employee experience focus, with a passion for diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Exceptional knowledge of HR organisations and DEI models, and disciplines, principles, processes and policies
• Strong written and oral communication, with exceptional influencing skills and ability to build credibility and rapport quickly
• An agile thinker with a high tolerance for ambiguity and an ability to create order out of chaos, and comfortable working in a fast-paced global environment.
• Resilient, with a high level of self-awareness, empathy, diplomacy, and confidentiality

Essential:

• Significant programme management experience at Executive level
• Track record of delivering projects and strategic initiatives from inception to completion
• Experience of driving and delivering change
• Knowledge of navigating a large complex business to influence at all levels and deliver through others

Why choose us?

Bring your ‘whole self’, skills and dedication to the Phoenix Group and we’ll recognise your effort, support your development and help to drive your ambition. We’ll ensure you’re rewarded for your contribution with a competitive package that includes an attractive pension, annual bonus potential, private medical insurance, generous holiday entitlement, enhanced maternity and adoption leave and a range of other financial services and lifestyle flexible benefits. 

Sound good? If you are ready to help us make Phoenix the best place you’ve ever worked, we’d love to hear from you.