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. Two decades later, we’re celebrating our 20th anniversary with events at all our five offices. It’s a great time to be part of First Actuarial. Following last year’s 20% revenue increase, our strong growth path has continued into this year, and we now employ around 450 people in the UK

We’re still an independent business with no chargeable hours targets, giving our people the time to deliver their best work and excel. We shape our high-quality services by listening closely to our clients’ needs. And we price those services fairly.

As we develop our business, prospects for our people grow. Our Basingstoke, Leeds, Manchester, Peterborough and Tonbridge 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 Practicing 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 focussed 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

We’ll actively support you as you build your career – and reward you for doing so. At every level of seniority, we offer:

• A competitive remuneration package, including bonus and profit-sharing payments
• Private health insurance, life insurance and income protection insurance
• 25 days annual leave as standard, increasing with length of service, an extra day at Christmas, plus bank holidays and the option to purchase additional holidays
• A non-contributory pension
• Full training and study support.

We have hybrid working in place for colleagues who prefer home-working 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 applications from candidates with a permanent right to work in the UK