Actuary (fully qualified)

About First Actuarial

First Actuarial has been around since 2004, when a small group of like-minded actuaries came together to bring fresh thinking to pensions consultancy. More than two decades later, our strong growth path has continued year on year, and we now employ over 500 people across seven locations.

First Actuarial is owned by Gallagher, one of the world’s leading insurance brokers, risk management and consulting firms. First Actuarial forms part of Gallagher’s UK Benefits & HR Consulting division (GBS UK).

GBS UK is a leading provider in the pensions consultancy market, offering a full end-to-end retirement proposition, including actuarial and investment consulting, risk transfer, pensions administration and retirement communications. With experts positioned across all regions, we support pension schemes of all sizes across the full range of solutions.

First Actuarial operates nationally with more than 550 colleagues across seven UK offices. Our focus is on delivering high-quality advice and service at a fair and transparent level of fees.

As we develop our business, opportunities for our people grow. Our Basingstoke, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Peterborough, Tonbridge, and London offices provide supportive work environments where everyone can make a difference. We enjoy work and celebrate our successes. And we provide support and helpful feedback, so we all learn and improve.

We love numbers, but we love people more. Staff wellbeing and work-life balance have always been core values. Beyond the firm, we’re known for our integrity. We’re happy to challenge conventional thinking and speak up. Our pioneering work is set to transform the lives of millions of younger people with a new type of pension.

The role

We’re looking for fully qualified actuaries with significant experience in the UK pension market. This role will be based in any of our five offices.

Initially, you’ll be responsible for

• Reviewing actuarial calculations e.g., triennial valuations
• Drafting and reviewing standard and bespoke communications
• Liaising with Trustees at meetings, by telephone and e-mail
• Monitoring deadlines and actions on a portfolio of schemes

Assuming good performance, and good progress in developing relationships with clients, there will be the opportunity (but not requirement) to progress to a scheme actuary role in the next 18 to 36 months.

Not all the work we do is traditional actuarial work – you probably know we often challenge conventional thinking. So, we’d be able to give you lots of variety and challenge – utilising your well-honed actuarial skills and bringing your own thinking.

Your skills and experience

• Experience – 7 years or more in a UK pension consulting environment with sound technical knowledge
• Skills – an excellent communicator who understands how to express complicated ideas in a concise and clear way. A good technical understanding of UK pensions work.
• Characteristics – a can do, enthusiastic approach to tackling problems, and a desire to build pro-active teams with your colleagues and clients

What we offer you

On top of a competitive salary, great teams and exciting career opportunities, we also offer a wide range of benefits.

Below are the minimum core benefits you’ll get, depending on your job level these benefits may improve:

• Minimum of 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, and the option to ‘buy’ 10 more days

• Defined contribution pension scheme, which Gallagher will also contribute to

• Life insurance, which will pay 4x your basic annual salary, which you can top-up to 10x

• Income protection, we’ll cover up to 50% of your annual income, with options to top up

• Health cash plan or Private medical insurance

Other benefits include:

• Three fully paid volunteering days per year

• Employee Stock Purchase plan, offering company shares at a discount

• Share incentive plan, HMRC approved, tax effective, stock purchase plan

• Critical illness cover

• Discounted gym membership, with over 3,000 gyms nationally

• Season ticket loan

• Access to a discounted voucher portal to save money on your weekly shop or next big

purchase

• Emergency back-up family care

We have hybrid working in place for colleagues who prefer homeworking for part of the week. We’re also flexible on working day arrangements and will happily accommodate a range of personal commitments from day one.

Our straightforward, interview-based approach to recruitment ensures equal opportunities for all applicants.

Please note that we can only accept candidates who have a right to work in the UK