Job Description

At abrdn, we empower our clients to plan, save, and invest for their futures. Through the expertise, insight, and innovation of our team, we aim to help clients create more ways for money to make an impact. Our focus is on delivering outcomes that are more than just financial, by investing sustainably to build a better world.

About the Department

Adviser Product & Technology Operations (ProdOps) is an enabling function within abrdn. We create, and continuously improve, the end-to-end environment in which our colleagues deliver value. We embody the values of our agile Product Operating Model, applying the same rigor as the Enabling, Product, and Journey Teams to create customer value and demonstrate a tangible return on investment.

About the Role

As Head of Method, you will be responsible for the strategic oversight and continuous evolution of abrdn Adviser's agile delivery method. You will ensure that methods are effectively embedded across all teams, driving operational excellence and aligning with the company’s strategic objectives. In this role, you’ll lead a team of Method Optimisation Leads and collaborate with senior stakeholders to create a culture of continuous improvement and agile innovation.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Methodology Development: Define and evolve methodology to optimise the delivery of value.

• Leadership and Team Management: Lead and mentor a team of Method Optimisation Leads, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

• Data-Driven Strategy: Utilise data insights to inform strategic decisions and identify opportunities for method enhancement.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with senior stakeholders and cross-functional teams to ensure alignment and effective implementation of methodologies.

• Operational Excellence: Drive the adoption of best practices and iterative improvements to enhance efficiency and value delivery.

• Change Management: Oversee the implementation of new practices, ensuring smooth transitions and adoption while managing resistance to change.

• Performance Monitoring: Establish and track key performance metrics to measure the effectiveness of methodologies and drive continuous improvement.

• Risk Management: Identify and mitigate risks associated with delivery processes, ensuring robust and resilient methodologies.

About the Candidate

The ideal candidate will possess the following:

Required Skills and Experience

• Curiosity and Continuous Learning: A relentless curiosity and commitment to continuous learning through various sources (books, podcasts, articles, and conversations).

• Strategic Vision: Ability to develop and communicate a clear vision for methodology and operational strategies.

• Leadership: Proven experience in leading and inspiring teams, with a strong focus on coaching and development.

• Analytical Thinking: Strong analytical skills to interpret data and make informed strategic decisions.

• Change Management: Expertise in managing change and facilitating the adoption of new practices.

• Performance Metrics: Proficiency in defining and tracking performance metrics to drive improvements.

• Complex Delivery Scenarios: Experience managing complex delivery scenarios with multiple interdependencies.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Committed employer. If you have a disability and would like to apply to one of our UK roles under the Disability Confident Scheme, please notify us by completing the relevant section in our candidate questionnaire. One of our team will reach out to support you through your application process.

Our benefits

There's more to working life than coming home with a good salary. We have an environment where you can learn, get involved and be supported.

When you join us, your reward will be one of the best around. This includes 40 days’ annual leave, a 16% employer pension contribution, a discretionary performance based bonus (where applicable), private healthcare and a range of flexible benefits – including gym discounts, season ticket loans and access to an employee discount portal. You can read more about our benefits here.

Our business

Enabling our clients to be better investors drives everything we do. Our business is structured around three distinct areas – our vectors of growth – focused on our clients’ changing needs. You can find out more about what we do here.

An inclusive way of working

Whatever way you like to work, if you have the talent and commitment to join our team, we’d like to hear from you.

At abrdn we’ve adopted a ‘blended working’ approach. This approach combines the benefits of face-to-face collaboration, coaching and connecting in our offices with the flexibility of working from home. It enables colleagues to find a balance that works for their roles, their teams, our clients and our business.

An inclusive culture, where diverse perspectives drive our actions, is at the core of who we are and what we do. If you need assistance with your application, or a reasonable adjustment to your interview arrangements – for example, because you are neurodivergent, or have a physical, sensory, cognitive, mental, visible or invisible disability – please let us know and we’ll be happy to help.

We’re committed to providing an inclusive workplace where all forms of difference are valued and which is free from any form of unfair or unlawful treatment.  We define diversity in its broadest sense – this includes but is not limited to our diversity of educational and professional backgrounds, experience, cognitive and neurodiversity, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, religion or belief and ethnicity and geographical provenance.  We support a culture that values meritocracy, fairness and transparency and welcomes enquiries from everyone.

If you need assistance or an adjustment due to a disability please let us know as part of your application and we will assist.