Portfolio Planning Lead

Working hours: This role is available on a part-time, job-share or full-time basis.

Salary: Attractive salary and benefits package

Location: Swindon, London or Fareham

Closing date for applications: 19th December 2025

The opportunity: 

The Portfolio Planning Lead will play a key role in shaping and managing the UK Portfolio processes. This includes management of the UK change assessment process, supporting the ECP prioritisation process, and engagement with UK Market Facing Units (MFUs).

Many of our employees work flexibly in a variety of different ways, including part-time, flexible hours, job share, an element of working from home or compressed hours. This is because we want the best people for our roles, and we recognise that sometimes those people aren’t available full-time. Please talk to us at interview about the flexibility you may need.

What will you be doing? 

• Lead the UK Change Assessment process, ensuring robust evaluation of proposals and alignment with strategic priorities.  
• Manage the Enhanced Change Projects (ECP) prioritisation process, ensuring transparent and consistent decision-making. 
• Facilitate prioritisation workshops and stakeholder engagement sessions to inform Investment Council decisions. 
• Support development of benefits realisation tracking across major projects and programmes. 
• Monitor, report, and challenge benefits delivery to ensure alignment with business objectives and achieved outcomes. 
• Build and maintain strong relationships with UK MFUs and other key stakeholders to enable effective collaboration and communication. 
• Serve as a trusted advisor on portfolio planning and prioritisation matters. 
• Support financial planning and forecasting for the portfolio. 
• Provide line management, guidance, and coaching to team members.
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement and collaborative working.

What are we looking for?

Essential Skills & Experience: 

• Financial acumen with experience in budgeting and forecasting.

• Experience of project/programme, portfolio or PMO management within a financial services environment. 

• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills at senior levels. 
• Excel and data visualisation skills for portfolio reporting. 

• Analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail. 

• Ability to navigate ambiguity and drive clarity in decision-making. 

Desirable Skills & Attributes: 

• Previous experience in line management.

• Exposure to change governance processes. 

• Project/Portfolio management certifications such as APM, PMI or PRINCE2. 

• Strong communication and facilitation skills, including workshop leadership. 

What will you get in return?

Everyone’s different. That’s why at Zurich, we offer a wide range of employee benefits so our people can choose what fits them and their life. Our benefits provide real flexibility so our people can make considered choices and tailor their benefits throughout the year. Our benefits include 12% defined non-contributory pension scheme, annual company bonus, private medical insurance and the option to buy up to an additional 20 days or sell some of your holiday.

Follow the link for more information about our benefits - Employee benefits | Working at Zurich Insurance UK

As an inclusive employer we want to ensure that all candidates feel comfortable and are able to perform at their best during the interview. You’ll have the opportunity to let us know of any reasonable adjustment or practical support needed when you apply.

Who we are:

At Zurich we aspire to be one of the most responsible and impactful businesses in the world and the best global insurer. Together we’re creating a brighter future for our customers, our people and our planet.

With over 55,000 employees in more than 170 countries, you’ll feel the support of being part of a strong and stable company who are a long-standing player in the insurance industry.

We’ve made a promise to each other and every employee; to focus on sustainable impact, to care about each other’s wellbeing, to use our diverse expertise to be curious and optimistic and to develop the skills needed for our future.

If you're interested in working in a dynamic and challenging environment for a company that recognises and rewards your creativity, initiatives and contributions - then Zurich could be just the place for you. Be part of something great.

Our Culture:

At Zurich, our sense of community is strong and we’re particularly passionate about diversity and inclusion, which we’ve won numerous awards for. We want our people to bring the whole of themselves to work and ensure everybody is made to feel welcome, regardless of their background, beliefs or culture. We want our employees to reflect the diversity of our customers, and so are committed to treating all of our applicants fairly and with respect, irrespective of their actual or assumed background, disability or any other protected characteristic.

We’ve an environment that places a real importance on our people’s wellbeing from a physical, mental, social and financial perspective. We work with our wellbeing partners and industry experts to provide the best advice and access to a wealth of lifestyle support. We’re also committed to continuous improvement and we offer access to a comprehensive range of training and development opportunities.

We’re passionate about supporting employees to help others by getting involved in volunteering, charitable and community activity. Our charitable arm, Zurich Community Trust, is one of the longest-established corporate trusts in the UK. In that time, we’ve awarded grants and volunteered time to deserving causes in the UK valued at over £90 million.

So make a difference. Be challenged. Be inspired. Be supported, Love what you do. Work for us.  #LI-HYBRID