Lead Senior Actuary

Lead Senior Actuary

Full-Time 120000 - 150000 ÂŁ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead financial risk oversight and provide strategic advice on balance sheets.
  • Company: Join Phoenix Group, a leading FTSE 100 long-term savings and retirement business.
  • Benefits: Earn up to ÂŁ150,000 plus bonuses, private medical cover, and 38 days annual leave.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on financial strategies while working flexibly in a dynamic environment.
  • Qualifications: In-depth knowledge of life insurance products and financial risk management required.
  • Other info: Embrace a culture of inclusivity and professional growth with excellent career development opportunities.

The predicted salary is between 120000 - 150000 ÂŁ per year.

Location: This role could be based in any of Phoenix’s London, Birmingham or Edinburgh offices with time spent working in the office and from home. Flexible working: All of our roles are open to part‑time, job‑share and other types of flexibility. We will discuss what is important to you and balancing this with business requirements during the recruitment process.

Closing Date: 22.8.25

Salary and benefits: Up to ÂŁ150,000, dependant upon experience, plus bonus potential, private medical cover, 38 days annual leave, excellent pension, 12x salary life assurance, career breaks, income protection, 3x volunteering days and much more.

What are we looking for? The Senior Lead Financial Risk Actuary is a member of the Balance Sheet & ALM Oversight team. The key purpose of the role is to provide strategic advice; constructive challenge and oversight to the business relating to the Group’s various balance sheets. The role holder will work closely with the Financial Risk Leadership Team to champion the Risk Function’s Vision, Mission and Mandate.

Purpose of the role: The role holder supports the business through delivering effective oversight of the Group’s balance sheets and delivery of the company’s long‑term financial strategy. The individual will collaborate with the business, ensuring the Group develops and implements effective strategies for managing and mitigating financial risks. Key to this is ensuring the risk management framework and risk appetite are appropriate; and that an effective, efficient Line 2 oversight model is in place.

Important areas within the oversight scope of this role are:

  • Asset‑liability management including hedging
  • Matching Adjustment
  • Balance sheet optimisation and oversight including Solvency UK, UK GAAP and IFRS 17 Balance Sheets and liquidity
  • Capital management and the financial risks arising from the effects of climate change

The team also contributes towards the Recovery and Resolution Plans and the Own Risk and Solvency Assessment.

Key responsibilities:

  • Support the Head of Balance Sheet & ALM Oversight through leading the oversight of the Group’s balance sheets (Group and all UK legal entities) and delivery of the company’s long‑term financial strategy, providing Line 2 advice, guidance and challenge to the business.
  • Design and maintain effective and efficient risk oversight activities for Line 2 that is proportionate and risk‑based, and provide clarity to the business on requirements around the risk identification, risk management, risk mitigation and position with respect to Phoenix’s risk appetite.
  • Opine on material business decisions, and assess if key risks and trade‑offs are considered appropriately.
  • Provide both technical and people leadership, supporting a shift in the team culture to focus oversight on material risks and transactions.
  • Influence and challenge executive‑level decisions, leveraging internal, cross‑functional relationships and networks, external market perspectives and a general high‑level of appropriate experience.
  • Work independently with minimal managerial oversight, delivering Executive‑level reports and material.

Essential skills:

  • In‑depth understanding of life insurance products (in particular BPA and annuities), regulatory frameworks (Solvency UK, IFRS 17, UK GAAP), and the principles of business planning, and balance sheet management and optimisation.
  • Deep experience in the core technical areas of the role (i.e. balance sheet modelling and analysis, solvency & liquidity analysis, asset‑liability management and hedging, Matching Adjustment and climate financial risks).
  • Extensive experience in effective and efficient financial risk oversight (including developing risk frameworks and setting risk appetite).
  • Proven ability in bringing teams together and leading delivery of enterprise‑wide change in a large, complex organisation.
  • Excellent verbal and written communications, with ability to communicate complex financial concepts simply and concisely.

We want to hire the whole version of you. We are committed to ensuring that everyone feels accepted and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. If your experience looks different from what we’ve advertised and you believe that you can bring value to the role, we’d love to hear from you. If you require any adjustments to the recruitment process, please let us know so we can help you to be at your best.

Please note that we reserve the right to remove adverts earlier than the advertised closing date. We encourage you to apply at the earliest opportunity.

Lead Senior Actuary employer: Phoenix Group

Phoenix Group is dedicated to being the best employer for its 6,600 colleagues, offering a supportive and flexible work environment across its London, Birmingham, and Edinburgh offices. With a strong focus on employee well-being, the company provides generous benefits including up to ÂŁ150,000 salary, extensive annual leave, private medical cover, and opportunities for career growth through coaching and development. The culture promotes inclusivity and innovation, making it an ideal place for professionals seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in the financial sector.
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Contact Detail:

Phoenix Group Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Lead Senior Actuary

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to connections in the industry, attend events, and engage on platforms like LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that dream job.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. We want to see how you fit into our team at Phoenix Group, so be ready to share how your skills align with our mission and values.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your answers and boost your confidence. We’re looking for candidates who can communicate their expertise clearly and concisely.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A simple thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the role. We appreciate candidates who take the initiative to stay engaged.

We think you need these skills to ace Lead Senior Actuary

In-depth understanding of life insurance products
Regulatory frameworks (Solvency UK, IFRS 17, UK GAAP)
Business planning principles
Balance sheet management and optimisation
Balance sheet modelling and analysis
Solvency and liquidity analysis
Asset-liability management and hedging
Matching Adjustment
Climate financial risks
Insurance, credit and market risks
Financial risk oversight
Developing risk frameworks
Setting risk appetite
Excellent verbal and written communication

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in financial risk oversight and balance sheet management. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Lead Senior Actuary, so don’t hold back!

Showcase Your Leadership Skills: This role is all about leading and influencing, so be sure to include examples of how you've successfully led teams or projects in the past. We love seeing candidates who can inspire and drive change!

Keep It Clear and Concise: When writing your application, aim for clarity. Use straightforward language to explain complex financial concepts. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the point without unnecessary jargon.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it reaches the right people!

How to prepare for a job interview at Phoenix Group

✨Know Your Numbers

As a Lead Senior Actuary, you'll need to demonstrate your in-depth understanding of life insurance products and financial risk management. Brush up on key metrics related to balance sheet optimisation, solvency analysis, and asset-liability management. Be ready to discuss how these concepts apply to the role and the company’s long-term financial strategy.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

This role requires strong leadership capabilities. Prepare examples of how you've led teams through complex changes or challenges in previous roles. Highlight your ability to foster a culture of performance and development, as well as how you’ve influenced executive-level decisions in the past.

✨Understand the Company’s Vision

Familiarise yourself with Phoenix Group's mission and values, especially their commitment to transitioning to net zero by 2050. Be prepared to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals and how you can contribute to their vision, particularly in managing financial risks associated with climate change.

✨Prepare Thoughtful Questions

Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare insightful questions that show your interest in the role and the company. Ask about the team culture, the challenges they face in financial risk oversight, or how technology and AI are being integrated into their risk management processes. This will demonstrate your proactive approach and genuine interest in the position.

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