AJ Bell is a FTSE 250 investment platform and asset management business with significant momentum across its Advised proposition. As we continue to scale and evolve our advised offering, we are seeking an exceptional strategic product leader to shape the long-term direction of our Advised Business Unit.
This is a pivotal role with end-to-end ownership of the product strategy for the advised business, working directly with the Advised MD to define, deliver and evolve a market-leading proposition.
As Proposition Strategy Director, you will set and maintain the long-term product strategy for the Advised business, ensuring it supports AJ Bellâs wider business objectives.
Working in close partnership with the Programme Director, you will ensure strategic intent is translated into a coherent, prioritised product roadmap and that major programmes deliver against agreed strategic outcomes.
You will also lead the identification, assessment and management of strategic and tactical third-party partnerships that accelerate product development, enable innovation and support sustainable growth.
What Youâll Be Responsible For:
Product Strategy & Strategic Direction
- Own and maintain the long-term product strategy for the Advised business, aligned to AJ Bellâs 2030 vision and agreed objectives
- Define clear strategic goals, success measures and outcomes for the advised product portfolio
- Ensure product strategy informs investment decisions, prioritisation and roadmap planning
- Act as the senior product authority for advised products, providing direction and challenge where required
Single Core Wealth Platform
- Work closely with the Programme Director â Advised to ensure the Single Core Wealth Platform delivers against agreed strategy and long-term goals
- Provide strategic product leadership to shape platform capabilities, sequencing and outcomes
- Ensure decisions are grounded in adviser and client value, scalability and long-term sustainability
Partnerships & Market Enablement
- Identify, evaluate and secure strategic and tactical partners to enhance the advised proposition and accelerate time to market
- Lead senior relationships with technology providers, investment partners and white label opportunities
- Ensure partnerships align to strategic objectives and deliver measurable value
Market Insight & Thought Leadership
- Lead market research, competitor intelligence and horizon scanning
- Anticipate changes in the advised market and inform strategic decisions
- Position AJ Bell as a thought leader in the advised platform market
- Support industry award submissions and external recognition
Governance, Risk & Regulation
- Ensure the advised product strategy operates within AJ Bellâs Product Governance Framework, Risk Management Framework and FCA requirements, including Consumer Duty and PROD
- Support regulatory engagement with clarity on customer outcomes, risks and benefits
- Proactively identify strategic risks and ensure mitigation plans are in place
Leadership & Stakeholder Management
- Provide strategic leadership across the business, influencing senior stakeholders
- Partner with Sales, Distribution and Marketing to align product positioning with strategy and risk appetite
- Communicate effectively with advisers, clients, intermediaries, partners and the press
Business Performance
- Ensure the product strategy supports delivery of agreed business and financial objectives
- Present strategic product updates and performance insights to the Advised MD, PropCo and ExCo
- Promote a culture of strategic clarity, long-term thinking and continuous improvement
What you'll bring:
- A deep understanding of the UK advised market and its future direction
- Proven experience defining and owning product strategy at scale, including platform-led propositions
- Strong commercial acumen and the ability to assess strategic partnerships and investment trade-offs
- The credibility to influence senior stakeholders across technology, delivery and commercial teams
- Strong understanding of UK savings and investment regulation and its impact on long-term product strategy
- Confident presenting and public speaking skills, with the presence expected of a senior product leader
About us:
AJ Bell is one of the fastest-growing investment platform businesses in the UK offering an award-winning range of solutions that caters for everyone, from professional financial advisers to DIY investors with little to no experience. We have over 644,000 customers using our award-winning platform propositions to manage assets totalling more than ÂŁ103.3 billion. Our customers trust us with their investments, and by continuously striving to make investing easier, we aim to help even more people take control of their financial futures.
Having listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange in December 2018, AJ Bell is now a FTSE 250 company.
Headquartered in Manchester with offices in central London and Bristol, we now have over 1,500 employees and have been named one of the UK's 'Best 100 Companies to Work Forâ for six consecutive years and in 2025 named a Great Place to WorkÂŽ.
At AJ Bell you can expect a friendly working environment with a strong sense of teamwork, we have a great sense of pride in what we do, and this is reflected in our guiding principles.
Our perks and benefits
- Starting holiday entitlement of 28 days, increasing up to 31 days with length of service plus a holiday buy and sell scheme
- A choice of pension schemes with matched contributions up to 8%
- Discretionary bonus scheme
- Buy As You Earn (BAYE) Scheme
- PMI
- Health Cash Plan â provided by SimplyHealth
- Discounted private healthcare scheme and dental plan
- Free gym membership
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Bike loan scheme
- Sick pay+ pledge
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, and shared parental leave
- Loans for travel season tickets
- Death in service scheme
- Paid time off for volunteer work
- Charitable giving opportunities through salary sacrifice
- Calendar of social events, including monthly payday drinks, annual Christmas party, summer party and much more
- Ongoing technical training
- Professional qualification support
- Talent development programmes
- Peer recognition scheme, with rewards including restaurant and shopping vouchers or time off
- Monthly leadership breakfasts and lunches
- Casual dress code
- Access to a range of benefits from our sponsorship deals
Hybrid working
At AJ Bell, our people are the heart of our culture. We believe in building strong connections by working together. That's why we offer a hybrid working model, where youâll spend a minimum of 50% of your working time per month in the Manchester office. For new team members, an initial period will be full-time in the office to help you immerse yourself in our business and build valuable relationships with your colleagues.
AJ Bell is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and all employees are empowered to bring their whole self to work.
We do not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, pregnancy, religion, physical and mental disability, marital status and any other characteristics protected by the Equality Act 2010. All decisions to hire are based on qualifications, merit and business need.
If you like the sound of the above, or just want to know more about the company and the role, we'd love to speak to you.