Section: Defined Contribution
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 six 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, London 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.
Due to our continued success, First Actuarial have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Defined Contribution (DC) Consultant to join our expanding Employee Benefits team in our Manchester Office.
• At least 5 years in a UK pension, or employee benefits, consulting role, with a proven track record of client relationship success;
• An advanced working knowledge of pension providers & master trusts;
• A thorough understanding of the UK DC market, drivers and trends;
• Broad knowledge of relevant legislation and governance frameworks;
• Experience with Occupational Trust Based DC schemes and the wind-up process;
• A good understanding of wider employee benefits would be an advantage;
• Have an appropriate qualification, or be working towards it (e.g. Diploma in Financial Planning);
• An excellent communicator who understands how to express complicated ideas in a simple, concise and clear way; able to confidently present to trustees, employers and employees;
• Self-motivated and ability to work autonomously, in line with the responsibilities that the role requires;
• A strong desire to develop yourself and to do “the best you can” for you and our clients;
• Excellent time management skills and workload prioritisation;
• Ability to contribute to good practice and foster the development of junior team members;
• Help further develop the infrastructure of the Employee Benefits team;
• Possess strong Word, Excel and PowerPoint skills; and,
• Be an analytical thinker with good problem-solving skills.
As a DC Consultant at First Actuarial, you’ll be advising a broad range of clients and assisting with our research by visiting product providers. Your work will make a real difference by meeting our clients’ expectations and continuing to build the infrastructure of the Employee Benefits team.
You will make an active contribution to team goals, develop your skills and broaden your experience.
• Attending meetings with providers, established clients and new prospects;
• Scoping pragmatic solutions to meet our clients’ and prospects’ requirements;
• Creating and maintaining strong relationships with clients and colleagues to develop your portfolio;
• Preparing and delivering provider selection advice;
• Developing and supporting the delivery of our pension and employee benefits services, e.g. scheme design, auto-enrolment compliance, governance, salary exchange implementation;
• Maintaining our pension provider research work;
• Developing opportunities in wider Employee Benefits, such as Group Protection, Healthcare and Financial Wellbeing;
• Expanding your pensions and wider employee benefits knowledge and staying up to date on pension and benefits issues;
• Developing junior staff.
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 right to work in the UK.
