Client Communications Specialist

Job Description

abrdn plc is one of the world’s largest investment companies, and we are built on a long standing culture of caring about the future and making a positive impact. Together we invest for a better future. We do it to make a difference to the lives of our clients and customers, our employees, society and our shareholders.

Our strategy is to build a vibrant and value-creating purpose-led organisation, with the current and future needs of our stakeholders at the heart of all we do.

abrdn has an excellent opportunity for a Client Communications Specialist to join the Proposition and Client Governance team based in either Edinburgh or London. This is a permanent role and will report to Head of Proposition within discretionary investments.

Working alongside more than 1,200 investment professionals, we invest responsibly to create long-term value for all of our clients. Through ASI, we have access to company management on a global basis, providing us with extensive insight. Not all discretionary managers can offer this institutional-level of ESG expertise.

We manage £8.4 billion of assets (as at 30/06/2021) and have extensive experience working directly with private clients, as well as financial advisers, accountants, solicitors, trustees and charities, both in the UK and Internationally.

ABOUT OUR DEPARTMENT
The Proposition and Client Governance team provides a key role in supporting the wider business with the following service: analysing, defining, delivering and managing the proposition in line with the wider business plan. This encompasses the full proposition lifecycle from; idea generation, market research, product design, governance, ongoing product management and messaging relating to the components of the proposition including articulation to key audiences through a range of media and marketing materials.

ABOUT THE ROLE
The Client Communications Specialist will work in partnership with the Investment, Client Management and Business Development teams to support the commercial growth of ASC, by ensuring clarity and consistency of message regarding our service offering and investment strategies both internally and externally.

THERE ARE TWO MAJOR ASPECTS TO THIS ROLE:
1. Articulation of the proposition, investment strategy and service proposition, for key audiences (clients, financial advisers, solicitors, accountants and trustees), which will require the role holder to foster strong relationships with a number of other teams within abrdn and wider ASI. This will span a broad range of media and materials for example: presentation packs, requests for proposals, thought leadership, investment reporting and elements of the businesses digital strategy. It will also involve being a key liaison with Marketing for literature requirements.

2. Responsibility for designing, managing and implementing a communication strategy to all relevant audiences in collaboration with other partners. This strategy will need to be appropriately aligned to the wider business strategy.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Communication of our high quality investment solutions to audiences of varying technical knowledge.
• Partner with the Investment, Client Management and Business Development teams to understand their requirements and provide relevant, timely, tactical information to help educate, inform and update clients, prospects and their advisers on our investment strategies and other relevant information, for example regulatory updates or company news.
• Contribute to the provision of high quality database, RFP, presentation and marketing collateral. This role will carry technical sign-off responsibilities.
• Lead thought leadership initiatives on behalf of the business including liaising effectively with Marketing.
• Liaise with marketing and the RFP and Presentations teams regarding production and distribution of investment presentations and high quality responses to RFPs.
• Maintain a thorough knowledge of key competition and the competitive environment.
• Enhance a good working knowledge of the legal and regulatory provisions surrounding discretionary investment management and specifically in relation to client communications.
• Messaging and market positioning of the proposition, including versus other ASI propositions/products.
• Briefing and training the client-facing teams, including Business Development, on new propositions and changes to the proposition.
• Respond to client and intermediary feedback via Client Portfolio Managers and Business Development Managers.
  

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

• Outstanding written and oral communication skills.
• Energetic, self-motivated and committed to meeting the needs of colleagues and clients.
• Flexible; can handle a balance of tactical activities and more strategic priorities and reacts positively to change.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to build and nurture personal relationships with a diverse range of personalities at a variety of different levels.
• An initiator and consensus builder, evidencing effective management and first-class communications.
• Experience within client communications role or marketing ideally with copywriting skills.
• Ability to plan own work and cope with periods of high workload and prioritise accordingly.
• Commercial mind-set.
• Ability to write reports and give professional presentations.
• Good understanding of discretionary investment management and/or investment management environments an advantage. Includes key competition and wider market developments.
• Experience of working with Front Office professionals (fund managers, client managers) an advantage.
• Degree or relevant industry qualification e.g. IMC or equivalent experience.
  

OUR BENEFIT

There’s more to working life than coming home with a good salary. We have an environment where you can learn, get involved and be supported.

When you join us, your reward will be one of the best around, including 40 days annual leave, a 16% employer pension contribution, a discretionary performance based bonus (where applicable), private healthcare and a range of flexible benefits including gym discounts, season ticket loans and access to an employee discount site amongst many others. You can read more about our benefits here.

We’re committed to providing an inclusive workplace where all forms of difference are valued and which is free from any form of unfair or unlawful treatment. We define diversity in its broadest sense – this includes but is not limited to our diversity of educational and professional backgrounds, experience, cognitive and neurodiversity, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, religion or belief and ethnicity and geographical provenance. We support a culture that values meritocracy, fairness and transparency and welcomes enquiries from everyone.

If you need assistance or an adjustment due to a disability please let us know as part of your application and we will assist.