At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and optimise data solutions for finance and actuarial modelling.
- Company: 1st Central is a leading insurance company focused on smart data and technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, remote options, and a supportive workplace culture.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a real impact in finance and data analytics.
- Qualifications: Degree in relevant fields; experience in data development and financial modelling required.
- Other info: Open to diverse skill sets; apply even if you don’t meet every requirement.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
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!
Join 1st Central as a Lead Finance Solutions Developer
1st Central are on the lookout for a technically strong and analytically minded Lead Finance Solutions Developer who can bridge the gap between finance, data engineering, and actuarial analytics. 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\’ll play a key role in designing and maintaining data pipelines and tools that enable complex financial and actuarial modelling, reporting, and insight.
Even if your background is more analytical or engineering-focused – and you don’t meet every single requirement – we still encourage you to apply. We value diverse skill sets and are open to candidates with the right mindset and transferable skills.
We’re big on flexibility.Our teams are spread across Salford Quays, Manchester and Haywards Heath, West Sussex,but we work from home most of the time. We think collaboration is pretty great though, so we like to get together now and then – just to keep those creative sparks flying. Prefer being in the office more often? That works for us too. We’re even open to remote working – all we ask is that you join us in person about once a month to stay connected and keep those face-to-face vibes alive.
Skills you’ll need to be a great fit for the role:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Python Proficiency for Advanced Analytics – you’ll use Python to develop scripts for automation, data transformation, and analytics – enabling everything from reserves analysis to forecast simulations.
What’s involved:
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Design, build, and optimise scalable ETL/ELT workflows for financial and actuarial datasets.
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Integrate data from financial systems (e.g., Workday) and actuarial sources into centralised data platforms.
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Collaborate with finance and actuarial teams to understand and support modelling assumptions and outputs.
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Develop and maintain Python scripts for data transformation, automation, and analytics (e.g., reserves analysis, forecast simulations).
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Create and manage relational and dimensional data models for reporting.
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Ensure data quality and consistency across finance and actuarial models; implement validation controls and reconciliation processes.
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Support regulatory and statutory reporting (e.g., Solvency II, IFRS 17, GAAP), ensuring timely and accurate delivery.
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Build reporting tools and dashboards (using Python, Power BI, etc.) for stakeholders to analyse key financial and actuarial metrics.
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Contribute to model development, testing, and production deployment.
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Maintain robust documentation and version control for pipelines and models.
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Ensure compliance with Company policies, the Group Code of Conduct, and relevant regulations.
Experience, Knowledge & Skills:
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Degree in Actuarial Science, Finance, Computer Science, Mathematics, or a related field.
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Extensive experience in data development, financial modelling, or actuarial systems.
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Strong SQL and data modelling skills; experience with relational databases.
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Skilled in working with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, or GCP) and data lake environments.
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Experience with actuarial models, principles, and data structures (e.g., Actuarial reserving techniques, cashflow projections under Solvency II and IFRS 17) life tables, claims triangles, policy reserves).
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Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and familiarity with the Workday Financials ecosystem and integration touchpoints.
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Experience working with actuarial datasets or outputs (e.g., policy data, claims data, assumptions).
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Ability to analyse data to drive process improvement and ensure accuracy in models.
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Strong communication skills with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels.
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Experience facilitating workshops and managing meetings across technical and non-technical audiences.
Behaviours:
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Collaborative and empathetic approach to stakeholder engagement.
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Commercially aware and results-driven mindset.
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Proactive and organised, with a keen eye for detail and accuracy.
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Self-motivated with a flexible, can-do attitude.
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Comfortable working independently and as part of a team.
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Passion for continuous improvement and contributing to business success.
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Takes initiative and ownership of decisions and outcomes.
Ready to Apply? We’d love to hear from you! This is a fantastic opportunity to shape the future of finance and actuarial data at the heart of 1st Central.
If you\’re excited by solving complex problems and building solutions that make a real impact – even if you don’t tick every box – don’t let that stop you. Whether your background leans more towards engineering, analytics, or finance, what matters most is your ability to learn, collaborate, and drive meaningful change. Hit the apply button now!
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. To get a taste of the advantages you’ll enjoy, take a look at all our perks in full here .
Intrigued? Our Talent team can tell you everything you need to know about what we want and what we’re offering, so feel free to get in touch.
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Lead Finance Solutions Developer employer: First Central
Contact Detail:
First Central Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Finance Solutions Developer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific financial and actuarial principles mentioned in the job description, such as Solvency II and IFRS 17. This knowledge will not only help you understand the role better but also allow you to engage in meaningful conversations during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your experience with cloud platforms like AWS or Azure. Be prepared to discuss any projects where you've designed or optimised ETL/ELT pipelines, as this is a key aspect of the role and will demonstrate your technical expertise.
✨Tip Number 3
Highlight your stakeholder management skills by preparing examples of how you've successfully collaborated with cross-functional teams in the past. This will illustrate your ability to bridge the gap between finance, data engineering, and actuarial analytics.
✨Tip Number 4
Brush up on your Python skills, especially in relation to data transformation and automation. Being able to discuss specific scripts or projects where you've used Python will set you apart from other candidates and show your readiness for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Finance Solutions Developer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in data engineering, finance, and actuarial analytics. Use keywords from the job description to demonstrate that you meet the specific requirements of the Lead Finance Solutions Developer role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for delivering high-quality data solutions. Mention specific projects or experiences that showcase your skills in stakeholder management, Python proficiency, and financial modelling.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Clearly outline your technical skills related to SQL, cloud platforms, and Python in both your CV and cover letter. Provide examples of how you've used these skills to solve complex problems or improve processes in previous roles.
Highlight Collaborative Experiences: Since the role involves working across multidisciplinary teams, include examples of past collaborations with finance, actuarial, or data engineering teams. Emphasise your ability to engage stakeholders and facilitate discussions effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at First Central
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Be prepared to discuss your experience with data engineering and development. Highlight specific projects where you've designed and optimised ETL/ELT pipelines, especially using cloud technologies and SQL. This will demonstrate your technical prowess and relevance to the role.
✨Understand Financial and Actuarial Principles
Brush up on your knowledge of finance and actuarial principles, particularly those related to Solvency II, IFRS 17, or GAAP. Be ready to explain how these concepts apply to modelling and reporting, as this will show your understanding of the industry and its requirements.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement
Since strong stakeholder management is crucial, think of examples where you've successfully collaborated with different teams. Be ready to discuss how you gather requirements and deliver impactful data solutions, showcasing your communication and relationship-building skills.
✨Demonstrate Your Python Proficiency
Expect questions about your experience with Python, especially in developing scripts for automation and analytics. Prepare to discuss specific instances where you've used Python for data transformation or analysis, as this will highlight your ability to contribute to advanced analytics tasks.