Senior Actuarial Trainee

Location: Potters Bar, London or Bristol

Canada Life UK looks after the retirement, investment and protection needs of individuals, families and companies. We help to build better futures for our customers, our intermediaries and our employees by operating as a modern, agile and welcoming organisation.

Part of our parent company Great-West Lifeco, Canada Life UK has operated in the United Kingdom since 1903. We have hundreds of respected and supported employees committed to doing the right thing for our customers and colleagues.

Canada Life UK is transforming to create a more customer-focused business by providing our customers with expertise on financial and tax planning, offering home finance and annuities propositions, and providing collective fund solutions to third party customers.

As a senior actuarial trainee (part-qualified) at Canada Life in the Group Protection team, you will be responsible for providing actuarial, statistical and financial insight and analysis to management. You will have the opportunity to advise the business or management to ensure that we are managing risk exposure to the business to satisfy our statutory responsibilities as well as the needs of policyholders and that of our regulators. The key metrics of involvement will be SII, IFRS and LICAT.

The team size is relatively small which offers the scope and opportunity to have direct exposure in the production of necessary Actuarial deliverables; including but not limited to:

• Data Checks – the validity of data used within the reserving must be checked for completeness and accuracy
• Reserves – the calculation of SII, IFRS and LICAT reserves will be integral to the role, which will fundamentally involve updating spreadsheets in-line with instructions and support from colleagues
• Analysis – beyond the production of the reserves, analysis and checks of the output will be required to provide rationale behind movements
• Auditor/regulator items – ad-hoc support will be required for queries or requests raised from auditors/regulators
• Forecasting – in the Group Protection team, we facilitate with forecasted reserves vs actual; thus support in producing the forecasting will be required
• Assumptions – support on the basis and assumption settings may involve running macros and refreshing spreadsheets

Key Accountabilities

• Produce, assist with or review the production and interpretation of financial analysis within their line of business or function.
• Produce, or assist in the production, of regular departmental, business or regulatory reports taking into account commercial and statutory considerations.
• Support accurate and insightful commentary to immediate line management. The role holder will be developing sound understanding of statistical and financial models as well as the ability to practically and tangibly interpret analysis and make recommendations.
• Support and make recommendations on the continuous improvement of department processes and procedures, taking into account up-to-date industry developments and issues to ensure the provision of a timely, accurate, commercial and efficient actuarial service to the business and key stakeholders.
• Taking part in and making a valuable contribution to different roles via the actuarial student rotation scheme as well as actively studying for the actuarial exams and making acceptable exam progress, as determined by the company and in line with company study policy.

Desired Knowledge / Experience / Skills

• Technical Expertise:
• Developing knowledge and understanding of different actuarial disciplines including via student rotation.
• Developing the ability to interpret as well as analyse financial information to provide insight for immediate line management.
• Developing knowledge of a variety of statistical methods, models and controls, and their commercial application/implication.
• Ability to develop and modify actuarial systems and spreadsheets, developing understanding of their commercial application/implication.
• Intermediate to advanced MS Excel skills demonstrating efficient use of spreadsheets and basic data manipulation skills.
• Ability to deliver work to a consistently high standard under tight time pressure with attention to detail.
• Exposure for key reserving metrics including SII and IFRS (bonus if knowledge in LICAT also).

• Communication:
• Strong analytical and report writing/drafting skills.
• Can explain complexities in a straightforward and accurate way with coaching or support from managers.
• Communicating effectively with junior analysts within the team.

• Relationship Building:
• The ability to develop and maintain strong relationships across the actuarial function, acting with integrity and being a role model for the company values at all times.
• Being able to flex their style and approach to different individuals, with occasional coaching and support, in order to achieve a successful outcome.
• Taking part in and making a valuable contribution in different roles via actuarial student rotation.

• Problem Solving & Accurate Judgement:
• Able to effectively plan, organise and execute their own work with little supervision, making management aware of conflicting priorities and readjusting their workload accordingly.
• Good problem solving skills and attention to detail, being able to identify issues and interdependencies, recommending a course of action with support and guidance from colleagues.
• Can make some decisions independently in order to progress issues, and able to exercise sound judgement and commercial sense to understand the importance of different issues and assess when matters need to be escalated.
• Proactive in approach to tasks and taking on new responsibilities.

• Developing Self:
• Actively studying for actuarial exams, usually being over half-way through their qualification.
• An interested and inquisitive individual who is committed to their own ongoing professional and personal development.
• Developing the ability to apply technical actuarial techniques and understand business/commercial implications.

Qualifications:

• Degree (or equivalent) in Finance, Mathematics, Statistics or related field.
• Post-graduate qualification in Finance, Mathematics, Statistics or related field (not essential).
• Eagerness of working through the Actuarial IFoA or equivalent exams.

Benefits of working at Canada Life

We believe in recognising and rewarding our people, so we offer a competitive salary and benefits package that’s regularly reviewed. As a Canada Life UK colleague, you’ll receive a competitive salary and comprehensive reward package including a generous pension and bonus scheme, along with income protection, private medical insurance and life assurance. We have a fantastic number of other benefits and support services as well as regular personal and professional development.

How we work at Canada Life

Our culture is unique and incredibly important to us. We care about doing the right thing for our people, customers and community and helping others to build better futures. Our blueprint behaviours shape and influence how we work, and are central to the relationships we have with others. Every day we are encouraged to be more curious, own the outcome, face into things together and find a way forward.

We want colleagues to have rewarding careers with us so we invest in the development of our people, technology and workplaces. That’s why we offer a range of training, flexible working and opportunities to grow and develop.

Diversity and inclusion

Building an inclusive workplace with a diverse workforce where everyone can feel they belong and achieve their potential regardless of gender, ethnicity or any other characteristic is a key commitment for us. We are proud of the progress we’re making in DEI, and we continue for it to be a significant focus.

“At Canada Life we believe in the power of great people from different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives coming together to build better futures. Emerging talent is crucial to our growth and creating an environment that continues to inspire us all.” Nick Harding, Chief People Officer, Canada Life UK

We appreciate that everyone has different work and life responsibilities. We’re happy to discuss flexible working arrangements, including part time, for any of our roles should this be a requirement for you.