Lead Finance Solutions Developer - 12 month Fixed Term Contract in Haywards Heath

We’re 1st Central, a market-leading insurance company utilising smart data and technology at pace. Rapid growth has been based on giving our 1.4 million customers exactly what they want: great value insurance with an excellent service. And that’s the same for our colleagues too; we won Insurance Employer of the Year at the British Insurance Awards 2024 and our Glassdoor score is pretty mega too!

We’re seeking a highly skilled Lead Finance Solutions Developer to join us on a 12‑month Fixed Term Contract, responsible for connecting finance, data engineering and actuarial analytics to deliver robust, insight‑driven solutions. If you’re passionate about delivering high-quality, scalable data solutions to support business-critical decisions, and you enjoy working across multidisciplinary teams, this could be the perfect role for you.

You will play a key role in designing and maintaining data pipelines and tools that enable complex financial and actuarial modelling, reporting, and insight. We’re big on flexibility and hybrid working. Our teams are based across Salford Quays, Manchester, and Haywards Heath in West Sussex. We mainly work from home, coming together in person around once a week to collaborate and share ideas — with the flexibility to be office‑based more often if you prefer.

We’re looking for someone who has:

• Strong Stakeholder Management and Relationship Building Skills - you’ll excel at collaborating with stakeholders across Finance, Actuarial, and Data Engineering to understand requirements and deliver high-impact data solutions.
• Expertise in Data Engineering and Development - you’ll be comfortable designing, building, and optimising scalable ETL/ELT pipelines using cloud-based technologies and SQL, ensuring data is accessible, accurate, and timely.
• Financial and Actuarial Knowledge - you’ll bring a working understanding of finance and actuarial principles, especially those related to Solvency II, IFRS 17, or GAAP, and how they apply to modelling, reporting, and regulatory compliance.
• Python Proficiency for Advanced Analytics - you’ll use SQL/Python to develop scripts for automation, data transformation, and analytics - enabling everything from reserves analysis to forecast simulations.

What’s involved:

• You’ll collate data from financial systems (Workday) and actuarial into centralised data platforms.
• You’ll collaborate with actuaries and finance professionals to understand model inputs, assumptions, and outputs.
• You’ll develop and maintain SQL/Python scripts for data transformation, automation, and advanced analytics (e.g., reserves analysis, forecast simulations).
• You’ll create and maintain relational and dimensional data models to support actuarial and financial reporting.
• You’ll ensure data quality and consistency across finance and actuarial models; implement validation controls and reconciliation processes.
• You’ll support regulatory and statutory reporting (e.g., Solvency II, IFRS 17, GAAP), ensuring timely and accurate delivery.
• You’ll build reporting tools and dashboards (using Python, Power BI, etc.) for stakeholders to analyse key financial and actuarial metrics.
• You’ll collaborate on model development, testing, and deployment into production environments.
• You’ll maintain robust documentation and version control for models, pipelines, and processes.
• You’ll comply with the requirements, and act in accordance with, the Group Code of Conduct and Fitness and Propriety policies at all times.
• You’ll ensure compliance with Company Policies, Values and guidelines and other relevant standards/ regulations at all times.

Experience & Knowledge:

• Bachelor’s degree in actuarial science, Finance, Computer Science, Mathematics, or related field.
• Extensive experience in data development, financial modelling, or actuarial systems.
• Experience with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP) and data lakes/warehouses.
• Strong SQL skills and experience working with relational databases.
• Familiarity with actuarial models, principles, and data structures (e.g., Actuarial reserving techniques, cashflow projections under Solvency II and IFRS 17).
• Experience working with actuarial datasets or outputs (e.g., policy data, claims data, assumptions).

Skills:

• Proficient in Microsoft applications, especially Excel.
• Familiarity with the broader Workday ecosystem (Financials) and integration touchpoints.
• Attention to detail with a focus on data accuracy and model integrity.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to drive process improvement, based upon analysis of data.
• Work effectively under pressure and think clearly and logically in challenging situations.
• Understanding of Finance/actuarial processes and terminology preferable.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong workshop and meeting facilitation skills.
• Experienced at building relationships with and managing internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Behaviors:

• Empathetic and collaborative approach, with an ability to get the best out of a wide range of stakeholders.
• Commercially focused and results driven.
• Self-motivated and enthusiastic.
• An organised and pro-active approach.
• Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team.
• A flexible approach and positive attitude.
• Emphasis on attention to detail and accuracy.
• Takes initiative to make decisions.
• Strives to drive business improvements to contribute to the success of the business.

If you enjoy working at the intersection of finance, data and analytics, this is your opportunity to do your best work.

What can we do for you? People first. Always. We’re passionate about our colleagues and know the best people deserve an extraordinary working environment. We owe it to them so that’s what we offer. Our workplaces are energetic, inspirational, supportive.