At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the actuarial reserving team and provide expert advice to influence business decisions.
- Company: Join QBE, a global insurer with a human touch and a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days holiday, flexible working, and comprehensive health insurance.
- Other info: Be part of a company recognised for diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while developing your actuarial skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in actuarial functions and strong leadership skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
About QBE
At QBE, we get to the heart of what matters for our customers. And we do it all with a human touch. We’re an international insurer with more than 13,000 people working across 26 countries – which means we’re big enough for your ambitions, yet small enough for you to make a real impact. It’s an exciting time. We’re building momentum towards our vision to become the most consistent and innovative risk partner.
The opportunity
We’re looking for a Reserving Manager to join our Actuarial Reserving team, supporting products across our QBE Re division on a full‑time, permanent basis. This is a key role within the function, offering the opportunity to take ownership of reserving advice, lead stakeholder relationships, and influence business planning and portfolio analysis across the division. You’ll play a central role in ensuring technical excellence, supporting senior leaders, and developing actuarial capability within the team.
Your new role
Reporting to the Head of Reserving: QBE Re, you’ll provide expert actuarial advice to the business, ensuring high technical quality in quarterly reserving, business planning and deep‑dive portfolio analysis. You’ll take ownership of relationships with underwriters, claims and finance, while leading and developing a team of actuaries. You’ll act as a trusted advisor, supporting informed decision‑making and contributing to the ongoing development and strategic direction of the reserving function.
Key responsibilities:
- Deliver high‑quality reserving advice, including half-yearly reserving, business planning and portfolio deep dives.
- Forecast technical provisions, reserve margins and reserve uncertainty to support reporting, accounts, planning and commutations.
- Act as a trusted advisor to underwriters, claims and finance, building strong and effective stakeholder relationships.
- Ensure technical excellence, clear articulation of assumptions and appropriate consideration of materiality.
- Lead and develop actuarial team members, providing coaching, feedback and career guidance.
- Oversee actuarial processes and controls to ensure robust governance, accuracy and regulatory compliance.
- Drive continuous improvement by enhancing models, processes, systems and ways of working.
- Contribute to business discussions, identifying key uncertainties and providing insight to support decision‑making.
- Manage delivery against agreed timelines, taking ownership and accountability for outputs.
- Stay abreast of regulatory developments and actuarial best practice, reflecting these in technical work.
About You
You’ll have significant experience working within an actuarial function in a multinational financial services organisation, ideally within General Insurance. You’ll bring strong technical expertise, leadership capability and the confidence to engage and influence senior stakeholders.
Skills and experience you’ll need:
- Effective communication skills and active participation in wider business discussions.
- Ability to influence and persuade, both directly and indirectly.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a team.
- Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage own workload and that of others.
- Agile and responsive approach while working within defined procedures.
- Willingness to challenge established processes and suggest improvements.
- Advanced Excel and analytical tool skills, with the ability to build sophisticated models.
- Strong numerical analysis and data interpretation skills.
- Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries or equivalent.
- Significant experience within an actuarial function in a multinational financial services organisation.
Benefits
We offer a range of benefits to help provide holistic support for your work life, whatever your circumstances. As a QBE employee you will have access to and benefit from:
- 30 days holiday a year with the option to buy up to 2 additional days.
- Flexible working - balancing work and life is important so our flexible working opportunities are open to all, this can include part-time, job share and compressed hours.
- Pension – you are automatically enrolled into the QBE pension plan, which entitles you to receive employer contributions of 10% of your basic salary.
- Private medical insurance – we fund fully comprehensive private medical cover for you and all the family.
- Family friendly policies – we offer 26 weeks leave at full pay regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation or how you become a parent.
- Short term remote work abroad - you can request up to 20 days per year to work remotely from certain locations abroad.
- Sustainable investing - we believe sustainable integration is important for long term financial, environmental, and social outcomes.
- Cycle-to-Work – benefit from regular exercise whilst making your commute greener and cheaper, select and bike and/or accessories up to the value of £5,000.
Awards & Recognition
We value our employee’s experience with us and are proud to have been recognised for the following awards:
- General Insurer of the Year 2026 at the British Insurance Awards
- Winner of Excellence in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award 2025 at the Insurance Business Australia Awards for our Respect@QBE program
- Insurance Post British Insurance Awards 2025: Winner: Commercial Lines Insurer of the Year, Winner: Reinsurer of the Year - QBE Re, Winner: ESG, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiative of the Year, Winner: Insurance Personality of the Year - Chris Wallace, Executive Director UK insurance
- AXCO Global Insurance Awards 2024 Winner: Network Management of the Year
- Insurance Business UK 5-Star Cyber Awards 2024: QBE rated as a 5-Star Cyber Insurer
- UK IT Industry Awards 2023 Winner: Green Technology Innovation of the Year
- Working Dads Employer Awards 2023 Winner: Parental Policies Award
- Insurance Post British Insurance Awards 2023: QBE rated as a 5-Star Employee
Equal Employment Opportunity: QBE is an equal opportunity employer and is required to comply with equal employment opportunity legislation in each jurisdiction it operates.
Reserving Manager employer: QBE Insurance
At QBE, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that values the contributions of every team member. With flexible working arrangements, comprehensive benefits including generous holiday allowances and private medical insurance, and a strong commitment to employee development, we empower our staff to thrive both personally and professionally. Join us in Leeds or London, where you can make a meaningful impact while working alongside passionate and talented colleagues in a dynamic environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Reserving Manager
✨Dive Into Industry Networking Events
Get your foot in the door by attending insurance industry events and conferences. Not only will you learn about the latest trends, but you'll also meet potential employers and industry peers. Check out local chapters of professional bodies like the Chartered Insurance Institute for valuable meetups.
✨Use LinkedIn to Your Advantage
Don’t underestimate the power of LinkedIn in the insurance world. Engage with industry content, join relevant groups, and connect with professionals at companies you admire (like QBE Insurance). A thoughtful message explaining your interest can really make a difference!
✨Look Out for Graduate Schemes
Many firms in insurance have structured graduate programmes. Keep an eye on application windows and utilise your university's career services for insider tips. These schemes are designed to develop talent and often lead to permanent roles after your initial training.
✨Leverage Your Current Connections
Got friends or family in the industry? Now’s the time to reach out! Personal referrals can give you a head start, so let them know you're on the lookout for full-time opportunities at places like QBE Insurance. Don’t shy away from asking for a coffee chat; you never know what doors it might open!
We think you need these skills to ace Reserving Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Analytical Skills:In insurance, we love a candidate who can crunch numbers and analyse data effectively. When crafting your CV, make sure to showcase any relevant coursework or experiences that highlight your analytical abilities, especially if you’ve tackled risk assessment or financial modelling.
Showcase Industry Knowledge:Don’t be shy about your knowledge of the insurance sector! We want to see that you've done your homework on current trends, regulations, and challenges in the industry. Mention any relevant projects or studies you’ve completed that demonstrate your understanding of the field in your cover letter.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should tell us why you’re passionate about insurance. Share any personal experiences or what drew you into this profession. We’re looking for enthusiasm and a clear motivation for why you want to be part of our team at QBE Insurance.
Tailor Your CV for the Role:Don't just send a generic CV! Focus on tailoring it specifically for the insurance role at QBE Insurance. Highlight relevant skills such as risk management, customer service experience, or any certifications you've earned in the industry to make your application stand out.
How to prepare for a job interview at QBE Insurance
✨Know Your Numbers: Insurance Fundamentals
Brush up on your understanding of key insurance concepts, like underwriting principles and risk assessment. Expect the interviewer at QBE Insurance to throw some technical questions your way, so be ready to demonstrate your grasp of these essentials.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Side
In the insurance world, it's all about data. Prepare to discuss any analytical tools or methodologies you've used in past experiences. If you have a portfolio of projects where you've tackled complex data, bring that along to impress the team!
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
As a full-timer at QBE Insurance, they'll want to know how you handle real-life scenarios, not just theory. Think about challenges you've faced in teamwork or customer service, and how those experiences can relate to a career in insurance.
✨Know the Company Culture Inside Out
Understanding QBE Insurance's values and workplace culture is essential. Don’t just memorise their mission statement; think about how your personal values align with theirs. This will show your genuine interest in being part of their team long-term.