Overview

Finance Director for Protection & SunLife. Phoenix Group is a long-term savings and retirement business with brands including Standard Life, SunLife, Phoenix Life and ReAssure. We are a FTSE 100 organisation focused on sustainable growth and responsible for transitioning our portfolio to net zero by 2050.

Role: Lead the financial management of the Protection and SunLife businesses, reporting to the CEO and CFO and shaping the financial strategy to drive profitability and growth.

Details

Job Type: Permanent

Location: The role can be based from any of our offices across the UK with time spent working from home and in the office. Travel will be required to Bristol and Edinburgh each month for 2 days.

Flexible working: All roles are open to part-time, job-share and other types of flexibility. We will discuss what is important to you and balancing this with business requirements during the recruitment process. You can read more about Phoenix Flex here.

Closing Date: 10th October

Salary and benefits: £175,000 - £200,000 plus an indicative bonus range of 40%-80%, private medical cover, 38 days annual leave, excellent pension, 12x salary life assurance, career breaks, income protection, 3x volunteering days and more.

The Role

Are you a visionary finance leader with a passion for driving commercial success and sustainable growth? Phoenix Group is seeking a dynamic Finance Director to lead the financial management of our Protection and SunLife businesses. This is a pivotal role, supporting the CEO and CFO in shaping and delivering our financial strategy, and ensuring robust financial performance across both business units.

You’ll lead a talented team, develop and implement commercial strategies, and play a key role in driving profitability, revenue growth, and cost efficiency. As part of the wider Phoenix Group, you’ll ensure our financial metrics are accurate, forecasts are realistic, and our financial control environment is strong.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the financial planning, analysis, and reporting for Protection and SunLife.
• Support the CEO and CFO with strategic advice, insight, and guidance to drive business growth.
• Develop and implement commercial and pricing strategies to maximise profitability and ensure sustainable growth.
• Oversee the delivery of financial plans, budgets, and forecasts, ensuring alignment with Group objectives.
• Champion a strong financial control environment and ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing finance team, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with senior leaders across the business to deliver commercial objectives and support key projects, including M&A and contract negotiations.
• Attend and contribute to key committees, including Board and Committee.

About You

• Qualified Accountant or Actuary, with significant post-qualification experience.
• Proven track record of financial leadership within the UK financial services sector, ideally in life insurance or protection markets.
• Extensive experience managing P&L, budgets, and financial controls at scale.
• Strong commercial acumen, with experience in pricing, reinsurance, and commercial management.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, influence, and deliver at a senior level, including Board exposure.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and leadership skills.
• Deep understanding of UK regulatory requirements and financial frameworks.
• Resilient, delivery-focused, and able to thrive in a fast-paced, constantly evolving environment.

Compliance

Senior Managers Certification Regime (SMCR): This role is covered by SMCR as a certified role and is subject to annual certification by Phoenix Group, as well as regulatory compliance standards. In this role you will be subject to PRA Individual Conduct Standards and FCA Senior Individual Conduct Rules. Further information on SMCR can be found on the FCA website.

Seniority level: Director

Employment type: Part-time

Job function: Finance and Sales

Notes: We reserve the right to remove adverts earlier than the advertised closing date. Applicants from all backgrounds are welcome. If adjustments are required for the recruitment process, please let us know so you can perform at your best.