Head of Technology Commercial & Partnership Management

Our purpose is to give everyone real confidence to put their money to work. With a heritage dating back more than 175 years, we have a long history of innovation in savings and investments, combining asset management and insurance expertise to offer a wide range of solutions. 

Our two distinct operating segments, Asset Management and Life, work together to provide access to balanced, long-term investment and savings solutions.

Through telling it like it is, owning it now, and moving it forward together with care and integrity; we are creating an exceptional place to work for exceptional talent.

We will consider flexible working arrangements for any of our roles and also offer work place accommodations to ensure you have what you need to effectively deliver in your role.

The Head of Technology Commercial & Partnership Management is accountable for maximising the value, resilience and strategic impact of the company’s technology supplier and partner ecosystem.

This is a senior leadership role combining strategic commercial direction, operating-model ownership and hands-on execution. The role-holder will set the long-term commercial and partnership strategy for Technology, while also ensuring robust day-to-day governance, performance management, and cost control across a complex, regulated environment. 

A core expectation of the role is to review, evolve and embed a fit-for-purpose commercial and partnership operating model, ensuring Technology is set up for success as the organisation continues its transformation, including cloud adoption, digital modernisation and the adoption of AI.

The role operates in close partnership with M&G's Group Procurement function, who retain ownership of sourcing strategy and negotiation of new Technology deals.  This role owns Technology-led commercial strategy, supplier and partnership performance, and the commercial strategy and negotiation of renewals, extensions and major changes to existing agreements, working closely with Procurement to ensure optimal outcomes.

Context

Technology comprises approximately 700 colleagues across the UK and in India, supported by a number of strategic suppliers and partners delivering infrastructure, platforms, applications and specialist capabilities.  

The operating model reflects the business and is typical of a FTSE100 firm spanning the importance of operational stability and efficiency whilst providing waterfall and agile change delivery, and a progressive technology agenda. 

The organisation has been on a significant transformation journey, which will continue for the foreseeable future, and is now dominated by consideration for digital transformation and the application of AI.

The Technology COO organisation provides the governance, planning, commercial, performance and operational backbone for Technology. This role is a key member of the Technology COO leadership team and a critical enabler of Technology strategy and delivery.

Key responsibilities

Strategic commercial and partnership leadership

• Define and own the Technology commercial and partnership strategy, ensuring alignment with business priorities, Group Procurement policies, Technology strategy and transformation objectives
• Review, design and evolve the commercial and partnership operating model, including decision rights, governance forums, tooling, data and ways of working
• Define and execute a multi-year strategic partnership roadmap, identifying where Technology should build deep, value-creating partnerships versus transactional supplier relationships
• Maintain senior, executive-level relationships with critical suppliers and partners, including joint business planning, value tracking and strategic alignment

Commercial governance and value optimisation

• Provide Technology-led commercial sponsorship and decision support for new Technology deals negotiated by Procurement, and own the commercial strategy and negotiation for Technology contract renewals, extensions and restructures
• Own software asset management, licensing and renewals, ensuring cost efficiency, compliance and transparency
• Optimise total cost of ownership through supplier consolidation, commercial leverage, benchmarking and outcome-based commercial models
• Ensure all Technology commercial commitments operate within approved financial, procurement and risk frameworks, with appropriate approvals and documentation

Performance, risk and resilience

• Act as the single point of accountability within Technology for the commercial performance, risk and value delivered by Technology suppliers and partners, working in close partnership with Procurement.
• Lead material and critical Technology supplier risk management, ensuring resilience, continuity and regulatory compliance for critical services
• Implement and embed evidenced governance, including performance scorecards, service reviews and continuous improvement plans
• Proactively identify and address emerging commercial, delivery or concentration risks within the supplier ecosystem

Collaboration and integration

• Work closely with Technology Leadership, Strategy, Architecture, Transformation, PMO and operational teams to align partnerships with Technology roadmaps, future-state architecture and innovation priorities, and to ensure supplier and partner performance enables successful delivery.
• Work closely with Procurement to ensure the best overall commercial outcomes for M&G across cost, value, resilience, risk and pace of delivery
• Partner with Finance, Legal, Procurement and Risk to align Technology spend with long-term investment plans, TBM frameworks and regulatory expectations

Leadership

• Lead, develop, and inspire a high-performing commercial and partnership management team
• Role-model strong leadership behaviours, structured thinking and clear decision-making
• Influence effectively across organisational boundaries, including with senior executives and external partners

Key accountabilities

• Operate as a senior leader within the Technology COO leadership team and the wider CITO leadership community
• Provide confidence to Technology and business leadership that commercial, partnership and supplier arrangements are robust, value-driven and fit-for-purpose
• Ensure significant commercial decisions and are signposted early, supported by clear, concise materials that enable effective decision-making
• Ensure Technology contract renewals are proactively planned and negotiated, avoiding reactive or time-pressured renewals, and securing best value, resilience and appropriate risk outcomes for M&G
• Maintain and enhance the control environment, contributing to strong customer outcomes and reduced operational risk
• Deliver the objectives of the role within agreed financial, compliance and risk constraints
• Get the best from the team through clear direction, high standards and active development

About you

• Significant experience in senior technology commercial, procurement, partnership or supplier-management roles, ideally within a regulated or complex enterprise environment
• Proven experience operating at both strategic and operational level, balancing long-term value creation with day-to-day delivery and control
• Demonstrated success leading teams and influencing senior stakeholders beyond direct reporting lines
• Strong understanding of commercial governance, risk management and performance frameworks
• Comfortable operating with ambiguity, making informed decisions where there are competing priorities and incomplete information
• A collaborate, inclusive leadership style, with the confidence to challenge constructively and drive change

Key knowledge, skills and experience

• Deep understanding of how large-scale Technology organisations operate and deliver value
• Track record of leading complex, high-profile initiatives with multiple stakeholders
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, including contract structures, cost modelling and value tracking
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage credibly at executive level
• High levels of personal drive, structure and accountability

Recruiter : Martyn Jack
 

What we offer:

At M&G, we’re committed to helping you thrive and supporting your wellbeing, both at work and beyond. Our benefits are designed to help you balance your professional and personal life, while planning confidently for your future. Our UK benefits include:

• As a savings and Investments firm we are proud to offer a valuable pension scheme of 18%, with 13% made up of Employer Contributions and 5% Employee Contributions. We also offer Share Save and our Share Incentive Plan, together with access to financial wellbeing and support services - to help give you real confidence to put your money to work.

• Enjoy 38 days annual leave including bank holidays, with the opportunity to purchase up to 5 extra days and additional flexibility through our Time Off When You Need It policy – to balance your work and personal commitments.  

• Our market leading Inspiring Families policy includes comprehensive support and paid parental leave covering maternity, adoption, surrogacy, and paternity leave - as supporting families is a core aspect of our inclusive culture.

• Health & Protection cover including Private Healthcare, Critical Illness cover and Life Assurance for you, with family options - for peace of mind.

To explore more about life at M&G and our full benefits offering, visit Life at M&G

We have a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture at M&G, underpinned by our policies and our employee-led networks who provide networking opportunities, advice and support for the diverse communities our colleagues represent. Regardless of gender, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, nationality, disability or long term condition, we are looking to attract, promote and retain exceptional people. We also welcome those who take part in military service and those returning from career breaks.

M&G is also proud to be a Disability Confident Leader, and we welcome applications from candidates with long-term health conditions, disabilities, or neuro-divergent conditions. 

If you need assistance or an alternative means of applying for a role due to a disability or additional need, please let us know by contacting us at: [email protected]