Actuarial Graduate Programme

Actuarial Graduate Programme

Cirencester Full-Time 28800 - 48000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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St. James’s Place

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Join our Actuarial Graduate Programme and gain hands-on experience in financial analysis and product development.
  • Company: St. James's Place, a leading Wealth Management company focused on client success.
  • Benefits: Permanent contract, competitive salary, flexible working, and professional development opportunities.
  • Why this job: Kickstart your actuarial career with real projects and expert mentorship in a dynamic environment.
  • Qualifications: Degree in a numerate subject and strong analytical skills required.
  • Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities to rotate across various teams.

The predicted salary is between 28800 - 48000 £ per year.

Posted on: 02/10/2025 – Application Deadline: 14/11/2025

St. James\’s Place (SJP) is a leading Wealth Management company which works in partnership to plan, grow and protect our clients’ financial futures. We deliver personalised, face-to-face financial advice to our clients, who trust us to manage their money to reach their goals.

The Graduate Programme:

Assessment Centre: Tuesday 9th December 2025

The Actuarial Analyst Graduate Programme offers an excellent grounding in the fundamental principles of Actuarial practice whilst studying for your IFoA exams to become a qualified Actuary. The varied programme offers the opportunity to rotate between different areas of actuarial specialism every 12-24 months.

Based in our offices in Cirencester, this programme will give you hands-on experience across actuarial analysis, product development, financial reporting, technical support and Partner business valuations. You’ll learn through real project work, from developing advice tools and product illustrations to supporting financial modelling and regulatory reporting. Working with colleagues across the business will expose you to a variety of products and processes, helping you build the technical and professional skills needed for a long-term actuarial career.

You’ll work closely with experienced teams, gaining exposure to real projects and responsibilities that build your confidence and capability in a commercial environment. You’ll have opportunities to consult with SJP Financial Advisers (known as Partners) – such as supporting selling Partners to understand their valuation and Buying Partners to undertake due diligence prior to a business acquisition.

All graduate positions are offered on a permanent contract. Upon successful completion of the programme and qualifying as an Actuary, individuals continue in their roles within the organisation, equipped with the experience and insight gained throughout the Graduate Programme.

About the team:

The role offers the opportunity to work in various teams across SJP.

The Actuarial Product Support team, part of the Group Products Division, provides actuarial and technical expertise across St. James’s Place. The team maintains advice tools and product illustrations, supports complex calculations such as Capital Gains Tax and Critical Yield, and contributes to key projects including product reviews and investment proposition enhancements. Collaboration with colleagues and stakeholders across the business is central to delivering good client outcomes.

There are 3 potential areas of rotation within the Finance directorate: the Reporting, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) and Partner Finance divisions. The Reporting division is responsible for the delivery of all financial and regulatory reporting across the SJP Group. The FP&A division is responsible for the development and maintenance of financial models, the extraction and analysis of financial data, and for providing key financial insights to the business (working closely with other divisions such as Group Products). The Partner Finance division is responsible for supporting the SJP Partnership to grow and realise the value of their business whilst ensuring good client outcomes.

The Risk and Compliance function within SJP is responsible for safeguarding the Group through expert advice, independent challenge and effective risk management. The Financial & Prudential Risk team within this function focuses on oversight of capital, liquidity, solvency and prudential risks, and provides a further opportunity for rotation within SJP.

Key responsibilities:

Specific responsibilities will vary depending on rotation, but may include:

  • Assist with the development and testing of advice tools and product illustrations.
  • Provide actuarial and product technical support across SJP, including areas such as Capital Gains Tax calculations, Critical Yield calculations, product functionality, and illustrations.
  • Assist with the production of key actuarial reporting deliverables, as required for regulatory returns and the Group Report & Accounts.
  • Assist with the production of financial projections, to support business planning activities, capital management work and corporate strategic projects.
  • Assist in the running of operational risk assessments across the Group, and the delivery of annual Risk exercises.
  • Support Actuarial Managers, Consultants, and Leads with project work (e.g. enhancements to the investment proposition, annual charges reporting, annual reviews of manufactured products).
  • Maintain product documentation, financial models and advice tools to auditable standards.
  • Contribute to the checks and control cycle on the Partner business valuation model.
  • Provide expert advice and guidance to the Partner Finance division, Field Management Team and Partnership on all aspects of the valuation model and related processes, including the provision of due diligence material.
  • Liaise and build strong relationships with teams across the business.
  • Provide data, figures and analysis to support informed business decisions.

What we’re looking for:

  • Degree in a numerate or analytical subject (e.g. Maths, Economics, Engineering, Physics, Actuarial Science), preferably grade 2:1 or above.
  • Minimum Grade B at Maths A-Level
  • Basic Excel and IT skills, with a desire to learn.
  • Some coding knowledge (e.g. R, VBA) desirable but not required.
  • Good written and verbal communication skills.
  • Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively in a team.
  • Highly motivated with a “can do” attitude.
  • Strong teamwork and collaboration skills.
  • Ability to build relationships and communicate effectively with stakeholders.
  • Strong commitment to personal and professional development.

Special Requirements:

This role is based within our Cirencester office, with flexible and hybrid working supported. You would generally be expected to be in the office a minimum of 3 days each week, depending on rotation, and more when your role requires. A higher number of days in the office each week will be expected at the start of the programme and each rotation, to enable us support your initial development.

To be eligible for this vacancy, all candidates must havethe right to work in the UK.

This programme is due to last for three years. Ifyour right to work is based on a Visa that will expire before the end of theprogramme, it may not be possible to employ you in the role as at present, thisprogramme does not meet the minimum salary thresholds required for skilledworker visa sponsorship under the UK Home Office guidelines. As a result, we’reunable to accept applications from those requiring visa sponsorship in order tocomplete the programme.

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Actuarial Graduate Programme employer: St. James’s Place

St. James's Place (SJP) is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic Actuarial Graduate Programme that combines rigorous training with hands-on experience in a collaborative environment. Located in the picturesque town of Cirencester, employees benefit from a supportive work culture that prioritises personal and professional growth, alongside flexible working arrangements. With opportunities to rotate through various actuarial specialisms and work closely with experienced teams, SJP fosters a rewarding career path for aspiring actuaries.
St. James’s Place

Contact Detail:

St. James’s Place Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Actuarial Graduate Programme

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at St. James's Place on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for the assessment centre. Personal connections can give you insights that you won't find anywhere else.

Tip Number 2

Practice makes perfect! Get familiar with common actuarial interview questions and scenarios. You can even do mock interviews with friends or family to build your confidence. The more you practice, the more natural you'll feel during the real deal.

Tip Number 3

Show your passion for the field! During your interviews, make sure to express why you're excited about the Actuarial Graduate Programme. Talk about your interest in financial modelling and how you see yourself contributing to SJP's mission of helping clients achieve their financial goals.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at St. James's Place. So, get your application in and let’s get you on that path to becoming a qualified Actuary!

We think you need these skills to ace Actuarial Graduate Programme

Actuarial Analysis
Financial Modelling
Data Analysis
Technical Support
Regulatory Reporting
Capital Gains Tax Calculations
Critical Yield Calculations
Project Management
Communication Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Teamwork and Collaboration
Relationship Building
Excel Skills
Coding Knowledge (e.g. R, VBA)
Numerical and Analytical Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Actuarial Graduate Programme. Highlight relevant skills and experiences that align with the job description, like your analytical abilities and teamwork skills. We want to see how you fit into our world!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to express your passion for actuarial science and why you’re excited about joining SJP. Be genuine and let us know what makes you tick – we love a personal touch!

Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills: In your application, don’t forget to showcase your problem-solving skills. Give examples of how you've tackled challenges in the past, especially in a team setting. We’re all about collaboration here at SJP!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the programme right there!

How to prepare for a job interview at St. James’s Place

Know Your Numbers

Brush up on your numerical skills and be ready to discuss key actuarial concepts. Since the role involves financial projections and calculations, being able to demonstrate your understanding of topics like Capital Gains Tax and Critical Yield will impress the interviewers.

Showcase Your Team Spirit

This programme is all about collaboration, so be prepared to share examples of how you've worked effectively in teams. Highlight any group projects or experiences where you contributed to a common goal, as this will resonate well with the values of St. James's Place.

Ask Insightful Questions

Prepare thoughtful questions about the Graduate Programme and the different rotations. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you understand how you can contribute to the team. Consider asking about the types of projects you'll work on or how success is measured in the programme.

Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Skills

Be ready to tackle hypothetical scenarios or case studies during the interview. Practice articulating your thought process and how you approach problem-solving, as this is crucial for an actuarial role. Use examples from your academic or work experience to illustrate your analytical abilities.

Actuarial Graduate Programme
St. James’s Place
Location: Cirencester
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