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.

The role

We are recruiting for a Technical Specialist in any one of our 5 offices.

The Technical Specialist will join a relatively small technical team, which supports all our colleagues in the following work areas:

• Analysis and review of financial market data used in assumption setting and actuarial calculation work, including supporting the production of house views.
• Independently respond to the Technical Helpdesk
• Analysis and responses to industry consultations and calls for evidence.
• Preparing and maintaining standard Word and Excel templates.
• Keeping Technical content on our intranet up to date and accessible.
• Preparing internal and client-facing bulletins and briefings on new developments.
• Preparation, maintenance and delivery of internal and external training such as:
  • Technical training for staff in all practice areas
  • Professional and compliance training
  • Graduate induction and actuarial trainee syllabus
  • Trustee training for clients
• Work in relation to First Actuarial’s ISO and QAS accreditations, such as audits, maintaining process documentation and checklists for actuarial work.

Experience and skills

To be successful with your application, you would ideally-

• Have at least 5 years' experience of UK actuarial / pensions work in a consulting firm (you don’t necessarily need to be a current member of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries).
• Have a good working understanding of key aspects of defined benefit and defined contributions pensions legislation and regulation, including some or all of the following: Scheme funding, Actuarial assumption setting, Actuarial factors and cash equivalent transfer values and more.
• Demonstrate excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Have a can do, enthusiastic approach to tackling problems and are proactive in suggesting solutions to improve the business and implementation of new requirements.
• Have excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Stakeholder management skills required.
• Can travel to all our offices when the business requires you to do.

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 candidates who have a permanent right to work in the UK.

Apply now with covering letter and CV