About the Opportunity

Title: IM Strategy & Planning Associate Director

Department: Chief Investment Officer, Equities

Location: London

Reports To: Head of Investment Management Services

Level: 7 (Associate Director)

We’re proud to have been helping our clients build better financial futures for over 50 years. How have we achieved this? By working together - and supporting each other - all over the world. So, join our team and feel like you’re part of something bigger. Our clients come from all walks of life and so do we.  We are proud of our inclusive culture and encourage applications from the widest mix of talent, whatever your age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, social background and more.

As a flexible employer, we trust our people to perform their role in the way that works best for them, our clients and our business. We are a disability-friendly company and  would  welcome  a  conversation  with  you  if  you  feel  you  might  benefit  from  any  reasonable adjustments to perform to the best of your ability during the recruitment process and beyond.                                                                                                                   

Department Description

Investment Solutions & Services (ISS) reflects the alignment of teams that focus on the development of investment products and services, and their distribution to wholesale, institutional, intermediaries and other B2B clients. It is managed as a separate business from Fidelity’s Platform Business which offers a range of products and services that help end investors improve their financial health.

Investment Solutions & Services (ISS) includes Investment Management teams for Equity, Fixed Income, Multi Asset and Private Assets as well as the Global Investment Research function. Distribution teams that cover UK & Europe, Asia Pacific including Japan and Australia, a global Product Development team and the COO organisation for ISS.

The Investment Management (IM) Strategy & Planning team is a critical function at the centre of enabling the smooth running of FIL’s investment management teams as well as the leading the development and the delivery of our long-term investment management strategy.

Purpose of your Role

As the Strategy & Planning Associate Director, you will serve as a strategic partner to the Global CIO for Equities and a trusted adviser to the Equities Leadership Team. You will play a critical role in supporting the leadership, governance and strategic direction of the business, providing insightful analysis, executive reporting and coordination across a globally distributed organisation.

The role requires an individual who can operate effectively at the most senior levels of the organisation, translating complex business, performance and organisational data into meaningful insights that support decision-making by executive management, Boards and governance forums. You will be responsible for driving the planning and execution of key leadership activities, including Board reporting cycles, strategic initiatives, leadership offsites and executive-level communications.

Working in a highly dynamic environment, you will manage competing priorities and demanding deadlines while supporting a busy senior stakeholder population. Success in this role will require exceptional judgement, excellent attention to detail, resilience, and the ability to influence outcomes across a broad range of stakeholders.

You will develop a deep understanding of Fidelity's investment platform, strategic priorities, organisational governance and decision-making processes. Through strong partnerships across Investments, Distribution, Operations, Technology, Compliance, Finance and HR, you will help ensure alignment against strategic objectives and facilitate effective execution across the Equities business.

Key Responsibilities

•        Provide high-quality business management support and act as a trusted sounding board on strategic, operational and organisational matters.

•        Accountable for the end-to-end ownership, quality assurance, and timely delivery of Board packs, executive presentations, and governance reporting. Oversee contributions from multiple stakeholders, ensuring all content and supporting data are accurate, robust, and appropriately challenged before publication. Navigate ambiguous requirements and complex data landscapes, distilling information into clear, decision-ready materials for senior leadership and governance committees

•        Analyse investment performance data, management information and key performance indicators to identify trends, risks and opportunities, supporting strategic decision-making and business prioritisation.

•        Partner with senior leaders and subject matter experts, both within Equities and the wider organisation, to establish, refine and enhance management information frameworks that improve transparency, accountability and organisational performance.

•        Lead the planning, organisation and delivery of leadership offsites, strategic planning sessions and senior management meetings, ensuring clear objectives, effective stakeholder engagement, tangible outcomes and managing follow up actions through to completion.

•        Monitor progress against key strategic initiatives, providing challenge, insight and escalation where appropriate to support successful delivery.

•        Develop compelling presentations and communications for internal and external audiences, translating complex topics into concise and impactful messages.

•        Build strong relationships across the organisation to understand business priorities, facilitate collaboration and drive alignment across functions, asset classes and geographies.

•        Represent the Equities business in interactions with senior stakeholders across Investments, Distribution, Technology, Operations, Compliance, Finance and HR.

•        Lead the continuous enhancement of business management practices, governance processes, reporting frameworks, and leadership effectiveness, ensuring robust structure, organisation, and strategic alignment.

•        Manage multiple complex workstreams simultaneously, ensuring consistently high-quality outputs in a fast-paced environment with often competing priorities and tight deadlines.

Experience and Qualifications Required

• Significant experience in a senior business management, strategy, chief of staff or planning role within asset management, financial services or a similarly complex organisation.
• Proven experience analysing fund & franchise performance data, management information and key business metrics, with the ability to convert data into actionable insights and recommendations for senior stakeholders.
• Demonstrable experience preparing Board, Executive Committee and governance reporting materials for senior audiences.
• Proven track record of successfully planning and coordinating senior leadership offsites, strategy sessions, town halls and executive events.
• Extensive experience supporting highly demanding senior executives and leadership teams while managing multiple priorities and compressed timelines.
• Outstanding analytical, problem-solving and critical thinking skills, with a strong attention to detail.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to create high-quality executive presentations and papers.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, with confidence engaging and constructively challenging senior leaders.
• Ability to operate effectively in ambiguous situations and exercise sound judgement when handling sensitive and confidential matters.
• Strong organisational skills and a demonstrated ability to deliver high-quality outputs under pressure and within tight deadlines.
• Strategic mindset combined with a pragmatic and delivery-focused approach.
• Strong understanding of the asset management industry and the challenges and opportunities facing investment organisations.
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly PowerPoint and Excel, with experience creating executive-level presentations, reporting packs and performance analysis.
• Self-motivated and proactive, with a strong ability to take initiative, continuously develop knowledge and expertise, and build effective relationships with key stakeholders.