Our client is an expanding financial services organization based in the heart of the City of London and on target to increase its headcount by 50% in 2025. This is a new role that will report into the established “Lead” Continuous Improvement Manager. The function is in high demand and the business continues to expand so there is headcount for an additional x2 Continuous Improvement Manager’s, and the team is expected to grow again in 2025.

The role is best suited to someone who has some prior Insurance Industry experience and is able to operate in smaller, faster environments where the focus is on "Making things happen".

The role is a combination of tactical continuous improvement initiatives and the wider strategic element, which involves process mapping / modeling to ensure all is fit for purpose as the business continues to expand.

THE ROLE: Continuous Improvement Manager

This role offers significant exposure to senior leaders across the organization, requiring strong communication skills to influence the Senior Leadership Team and Heads of Department while driving impactful and lasting change.

You will take charge of strategically critical initiatives, guiding them from conception to execution. Your contributions will be vital in positioning the business for growth and achieving its five-year objectives. Alongside long-term initiatives, you will also lead process improvement projects to address immediate business needs. By fostering collaboration across departments, streamlining workflows, and ensuring seamless information sharing, you will deliver measurable results and create smooth hand-offs between teams.

Joining at an exciting time of growth, you will play a key role in shaping and embedding a culture of operational excellence throughout the organization.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: Continuous Improvement Manager

• Drive Strategic Initiatives: Lead the delivery of projects aligned with the organization’s strategic goals.
  
  
• Stakeholder Coordination: Collaborate with senior stakeholders across multiple departments (e.g., IT, Finance, Underwriting, HR, and Operations), managing one larger or two smaller initiatives simultaneously.
  
  
• Define Scope and Approach: Work with department heads to agree on the scope and strategy for each initiative, incorporating operational excellence throughout delivery.
  
  
• Mobilize Teams: Assemble and lead cross-functional working groups to plan, structure, and execute initiatives effectively.
  
  
• Set Clear Objectives: Collaborate with stakeholders to define objectives and key results (OKRs) that measure success.
  
  
• Facilitate Process Analysis: Conduct workshops to map current processes, identify pain points, and develop innovative solutions.
  
  
• Design Future Models: Create optimized future operating models and processes, build strong business cases for change, and manage stakeholder conflicts.
  
  
• Embed Change: Implement new workflows and empower teams to sustain and improve the future state.
  
  
• Manage Timelines: Take ownership of delivery schedules, ensuring plans stay on track and promptly addressing any roadblocks.
  
  
• Hold Stakeholders Accountable: Track requirements across working groups and ensure key contributors meet their commitments.
  
  
• Coach and Educate: Guide colleagues and stakeholders to understand issues, solutions, and learning opportunities to ensure changes are embedded effectively.
  
  
• Report Progress: Provide thorough updates and documentation on activities, initiatives, and overall progress.
  
  SKILLS / EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
  
  
• Track Record of Results: Demonstrated ability to deliver outcomes in dynamic, fast-paced environments with significant uncertainty.
  
  
• Problem-Solving Expertise: Skilled in structured problem-solving techniques, creating target operating models, process mapping, design thinking, and workflow analysis.
  
  
• Innovative Mindset: A curious and confident approach to challenging existing practices and questioning the status quo.
  
  
• Technical Proficiency: Competent in using whiteboarding tools and Microsoft PowerPoint to visually convey ideas, as well as Microsoft Excel for data analysis and problem-solving.
  
  
• Analytical Strength: Exceptional ability to dissect and analyze existing process flows to identify improvements.
  
  
• Communication Skills: Outstanding interpersonal and communication abilities to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders at all levels.
  
  
• Delivery Success: Proven experience managing initiatives from concept and design through to implementation and measurable results.
  
  
• Process Improvement: Expertise in identifying inefficiencies and driving operational improvements.
  
  
• Commercial Acumen: A strong focus on cost-effective solutions that require minimal technological input in early stages.
  
  
• Methodology Knowledge: Familiarity with Agile frameworks and/or Lean Six Sigma principles.
  
  
• Data Visualization: Some experience with tools for visualizing data and insights