Head of Research and Insights

Smart Pension

Head of Research and Insights at Smart focusing on data analysis and market research for business growth. Partnering with leadership to drive insights aligned with strategic objectives.

Posted 6/25/2026full-timeLondon • 🇬🇧 United KingdomLeadWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Define and lead the research and insights objectives , aligned with business growth strategy and the evolving regulatory landscape
Partner with leadership and business functions (eg marketing, proposition, policy) to understand, prioritise, and translate strategic questions into insight and analytical requirements.
Establish a clear framework for insight generation, analytics and market research directly inform business decisions and measurable outcomes.
Provide recommendations to support compelling product proposition development, customer engagement, retirement outcomes, and competitive positioning.
Ensure a strong commercial focus through the new Value for Money requirements, while providing strategic guidance based on actionable insights, performance metrics, and emerging trends.
Oversee the development of dashboards and reporting metrics (AUM, contributions, churn, retirement outcomes)
Lead competitor and market analysis and recommendation, identifying commercial impact, opportunities and risks
Represent Smart proposition in response to RFIs to position within market
Combine research and data to drive insights to support customer acquisition, AUM growth, and contribution rates
Foster a data driven culture across the business area
Oversee reporting aligned with regulatory and client requirements

Requirements

What you’ll need

Experience in Financial Services is essential.
Experience in fintech, wealth tech, or digital pensions platforms preferable.
Deep DC pension market experience
Degree in Research, Statistics, Economics or related field
Proven commercial leadership experience
Knowledge of behavioural science or customer research methodologies
Experience in growth analytics, commercial insights, or business intelligence
Experience in competitor analysis and market intelligence
Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence senior stakeholders
Track record of translating data into strategic recommendations and outcomes.

Benefits

Comp & perks

25 days’ holiday per year, increasing with length of service.
£500 annual training budget to spend on your professional development
Extensive private healthcare, including dental, eyecare and EAP
Enhanced sick leave (three months’ pay per year)
Enhanced maternity and paternity (maternity – 6 months fully paid/paternity – 3 weeks fully paid)
Death in service insurance cover
Fully-paid five-week sabbatical after five years of employment
In office wellbeing, such as manicures, massages and barbers.
50% discount on orders from Arena Flowers.

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

data analysismarket researchanalyticsdashboard developmentreporting metricsgrowth analyticsbusiness intelligencecompetitor analysiscustomer research methodologiesbehavioural science

Soft Skills

commercial leadershipcommunicationinfluencingstrategic thinkingcollaborationinsight generationdata-driven decision makingrecommendation developmentstakeholder engagementproblem solving

Certifications

degree in Researchdegree in Statisticsdegree in Economics