At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop and analyse risk models to support innovative pricing strategies.
- Company: Join Hastings Direct, a leading digital insurance provider with ambitious growth plans.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive bonuses, and comprehensive health and wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of combining actuarial expertise with cutting-edge machine learning techniques.
- Qualifications: Fellow of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries with strong modelling skills.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for mentorship and career growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Welcome to Hastings Direct. We’re a digital insurance provider with ambitious plans to become the best and biggest in the UK market. We’ve made huge investments in our pricing and data capabilities over the past few years, along with nurturing our 4Cs culture. We provide insurance for over four million customers, but we know there’s even bigger opportunity out there – our Pricing, Data and Analytics community value curiosity, collaboration and constructive challenge.
Great pricing is built on trust, innovation and precision, so our aim is to ensure customers receive a fair and accurate price based on their individual risk, supporting fair outcomes, while delivering sustainable and profitable growth for our company. Pricing is more than just a number – it’s a strategic capability. At the heart of Hastings is deep risk insight – continually improving how we assess, segment and price risk through data and analytics.
Role overview: Join Us in Shaping the Future of Home Insurance at Hastings. Building on our early successes in Home insurance, Hastings is investing in the growth of our Home team. We’re looking for an experienced Senior Actuary who is passionate about data and excited by the opportunity to combine actuarial expertise with cutting‑edge machine learning techniques. As a Senior Actuary within the Home Actuarial & Data Science Team, you’ll play a key role in developing actuarial models, analyses, and data assets that power Hastings’ market‑leading pricing strategies. Working closely with the wider Home team, your contributions will help deliver our ambitious growth plans for Home insurance products.
This is an exciting time to join us. Our team champions the adoption of advanced machine learning methods, supported by a state‑of‑the‑art tech stack and collaboration across Hastings’ Actuarial and Data Science (AnDS) community. Your deep understanding of general insurance principles and actuarial techniques will ensure that new models are not only commercially impactful but also deliver fair outcomes for customers. You’ll have the opportunity to influence strategic decisions, mentor junior team members, and shape how advanced analytics and actuarial science come together to drive innovation in Home insurance.
Accountabilities:
- Develop, analyse and monitor risk models to support pricing activities
- Lead development of actuarial assumptions and methodologies that inform modelling
- Create and maintain analytical tools to support in the management of our risk portfolio
- Collaborate with data scientists to integrate actuarial analyses into predictive models
- Partner with underwriters and risk analysts to identify blind spots and develop strategies to mitigate emerging risks
- Stretch the team’s capabilities in actuarial capabilities
- Lead a small team of actuaries and data scientists
Required experience:
Essential:
- Fellow of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA) or equivalent professional body
- Experience in general insurance and strong technical modelling skills
- Keen interest in emerging ML techniques and applications in underwriting & pricing
- Strong SQL skills
- Strong senior stakeholder management and communication skills
- Ability to work cross‑functionally with data engineers, data scientists, underwriters, and analysts
Desirable:
- Proficiency in Python
- Experience with using Git and GitHub as a code collaboration tool
Interview Process:
- Recruiter screening call
- 1st Round – Intro call with Hiring manager
- 2nd Round – Case study round followed by call with Hiring leader
Benefits:
In addition to a competitive salary and £5k car allowance you will also receive:
- Flexible working – we champion a flexible hybrid working approach
- Competitive bonus scheme - all colleagues are eligible for our annual 4Cs performance bonus
- Physical wellbeing – Hastings pays for you to receive private medical Insurance (PMI)
- Financial wellbeing – providing you with 4x your salary with our life assurance cover, income protection at no extra cost, and matched pension contributions up to 10%
- Mental wellbeing programme – including the thrive mental health app, colleague assistance programme available 24/7, and support groups
- 27 days annual leave + bank holidays, with the option to buy or sell one of your weeks
- Access to health care cash back plans, dental plans, discounted health assessments, Cycle to work and tech schemes, discounted and free onsite facilities, social events throughout the year
Hastings Group is an equal opportunities employer which means we treat people fairly. We welcome applications from all suitably skilled persons regardless of their gender, age, race, disability, ethnic background, religion/belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or marital/family status. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
Senior Actuary employer: Hastings Direct
Contact Detail:
Hastings Direct Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Actuary
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research Hastings Direct thoroughly, understand their culture, and be ready to discuss how your skills align with their goals. Practise common interview questions and think of examples that showcase your experience in actuarial science and data analytics.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for data! During interviews, highlight your interest in machine learning techniques and how they can enhance pricing strategies. Share any projects or experiences that demonstrate your ability to innovate and drive meaningful change.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining Hastings Direct and being part of our ambitious journey.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Actuary
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Actuary role. Highlight your experience in general insurance, technical modelling skills, and any machine learning techniques you've used. We want to see how your background aligns with our ambitious growth plans!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for data and actuarial science, and explain why you’re excited about joining Hastings Direct. Let us know how you can contribute to our 4Cs culture and help drive meaningful change.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t forget to highlight your SQL skills and any experience with Python or Git. We love candidates who can collaborate across teams, so mention any cross-functional projects you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to partner with data scientists and underwriters.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure you don’t miss out on any updates. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hastings Direct
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Senior Actuary, you’ll need to demonstrate your expertise in actuarial models and data analysis. Brush up on your technical modelling skills and be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've applied these in previous roles. Show them you can turn complex data into actionable insights!
✨Show Your Curiosity
Hastings values curiosity and innovation, especially when it comes to machine learning techniques. Be prepared to discuss any emerging ML applications you've explored or implemented in your work. This will show that you're not just about the numbers but also about pushing boundaries.
✨Collaborate Like a Pro
This role involves working closely with data scientists, underwriters, and analysts. Highlight your experience in cross-functional collaboration and give examples of how you’ve successfully partnered with other teams to achieve common goals. Communication is key, so make sure to convey your ideas clearly.
✨Prepare for the Case Study
The second round includes a case study, so practice analysing risk models and developing actuarial assumptions. Familiarise yourself with common scenarios in home insurance pricing and think about how you would approach them. This is your chance to showcase your analytical thinking and problem-solving skills!