Head of Public Policy

Canada Life UK looks after the retirement, investment and protection needs of individuals, families and companies. We help to build better futures for our customers, our intermediaries and our employees by operating as a modern, agile and welcoming organisation.

Part of our parent company Great-West Lifeco, Canada Life UK has operated in the United Kingdom since 1903. We have hundreds of respected and supported employees committed to doing the right thing for our customers and colleagues.

Canada Life UK is transforming to create a more customer-focused business by providing our customers with expertise on financial and tax planning, offering home finance and annuities propositions, and providing collective fund solutions to third party customers.

An exciting new high-profile role, at the heart of the CEO's office, to enable Canada Life UK (CLUK) to achieve its public policy ambitions.

Job Purpose
Head of Public Policy is a new role, and will play a pivotal role in establishing and shaping Canada Life UK (CL UK's) public policy strategy, and lead on key activity, including working on some of the biggest policy challenges that are affecting our business today. The role will be representing CL UK to external stakeholders, making sure our views are heard and interests are represented. It will also provide advice to senior colleagues on political & legislative developments that affect us, including activity leading up to the next General Election.

Key Accountabilities

• Play a pivotal role in shaping our public policy strategy and expedite the delivery of our public policy ambitions through subject matter expertise, in conjunction with the Head of Business Management and Brand & Marketing
• Provide advice to senior colleagues on political & legislative developments that affect us, including activity leading up to the next General Election - you will become a trusted adviser to the CEO and senior colleagues on UK political/policy matters
• Complete analysis of government policy and legislation, as well as build consensus across the UK Financial Services industry on policy positions, priorities, and engagement strategy
• Lead and partner with cross functional stakeholders to respond to government consultations and develop positions to support the interests of CL UK on issues
• Identify relevant external stakeholders to approach on policy topics and advocate CL UK's position where appropriate
• Proactively look for opportunities to build relationships with external stakeholders, including government, officials and industry colleagues
• Lead engagement with our UK industry bodies, working with external communications (Brand and PR stakeholders) to build reputation and thought leadership activation
• Engage with internal partners to ensure that public policy ambitions and activity is well understood including attending and presenting at committees and boards

Job Specific Accountabilities

• Accountable for establishing, shaping, and delivering Canada Life UK public policy strategy and plans
• Provide advice to senior colleagues on political & legislative developments that affect CLUK - including being a trusted advisor to the CEO/senior executive team
• Ability to complete analysis of government policy and legislation and build a view on priorities.
• Lead and partner with cross functional stakeholders to respond to government consultations and develop positions to support the interests of CL UK on issues
• Identify relevant external stakeholders to approach on policy topics and advocate CL UK's position where appropriate
• Proactively look for opportunities to build relationships with external stakeholders, including government, officials and industry colleagues
• Producing clear reports and updates to Executive and Senior Management.
• Lead engagement with our UK industry bodies
• Will remain compliant with Company policies, regulatory, professional & legal requirements

Knowledge and Experience

• Strong understanding of public policy and UK politics, having undertaken a relevant role within a corporate Public Affairs department to a level of competence usually acquired by having five years experience
• Exposure to working in the Financial Services sector/industry would be desirable
• Experience of independently creating and delivering on a UK public affairs strategy with a commercial mindset
• Experience of working with internal senior level stakeholders (up to Chief Executive level or equivalent) and an ability to work collegiately with all parts of the business
• Strong influencing, negotiation, and networking skills, with ability to operate in a dynamic and uncertain environment
• Strong communications skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to translate complex policy matters into simple messages
• Adaptable to changing priorities and able to hit the ground running when dealing with complex issues
• Self-motivated, well-organised, pragmatic and able to perform tasks independently
• Continuous drive & energy to get things done

Benefits of working at Canada Life
We believe in recognising and rewarding our people, so we offer a competitive salary and benefits package that's regularly reviewed. As a Canada Life UK colleague, you'll receive a competitive salary and comprehensive reward package including a generous pension and bonus scheme, along with, income protection, private medical insurance and life assurance. We have a fantastic number of other benefits and support services as well as regular personal and professional development.

How we work at Canada Life
Our culture is unique and incredibly important to us. We care about doing the right thing for our people, customers and community and helping others to build better futures. Our blueprint behaviours shape and influence how we work, and are central to the relationships we have with others. Every day we are encouraged to be more curious, own the outcome, face into things together and find a way forward.

We want colleagues to have rewarding careers with us so we invest in the development of our people, technology and workplaces. That's why we offer a range of training, flexible working and opportunities to grow and develop.

Diversity and inclusion
Building an inclusive workplace with a diverse workforce where everyone can feel they belong and achieve their potential regardless of gender, ethnicity or any other characteristic is a key commitment for us. We are proud of the progress we're making in DEI, and we continue for it to be a significant focus.

"At Canada Life we believe in the power of great people from different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives coming together to build better futures. Emerging talent is crucial to our growth and creating an environment that continues to inspire us all." Nick Harding, Chief People Officer, Canada Life UK

We appreciate that everyone has different work and life responsibilities. We're happy to discuss flexible working arrangements, including part time, for any of our roles should this be a requirement for.