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.

Role & Responsibilities

We’re looking for an experienced and proactive Scheme Actuary to advise a broad range of clients and grow our client base. This role will be based in any of our five offices.

You will be lead consultant/Scheme Actuary on a portfolio of clients, supported by a friendly and enthusiastic growing team, with a proven record of making a difference by helping your clients to achieve their objectives.

Not all the work we do is traditional actuarial work. 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.

You will receive regular technical training to help keep you up to date with technical aspects of the role. This is delivered by our excellent technical team. However, you will have the autonomy to advise clients in whatever way you feel is appropriate based on your knowledge of the client and your views and experience.

Your Skills and Experience

• Qualified Actuary (FIA/FFA) with a Scheme Actuary Practising Certificate.
• Have experience of advising clients as a consulting Scheme Actuary.
• Have a desire to assist with growing the client base.
• Have a proactive client focused approach.
• Leadership experience – the ability to lead projects and teams of individuals, to deliver successful projects and solutions as well as developing and mentoring junior staff.
• Be personable, pragmatic, pro-active, professional and plain-speaking.
• Be an excellent communicator who understands how to express complicated ideas in a concise and clear way. This includes writing, checking and reviewing complex reports on an array of pension-related, technical topics.
• Have outstanding technical understanding of UK pensions work.

What we offer you

• A competitive remuneration package
• Private health insurance, life insurance and income protection insurance
• 25 days annual leave as standard
• 7% Employer pension contribution
• Full training and study support.

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.