Actuarial Graduate Programme

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 have the right to work in the UK.

This programme is due to last for three years. If your right to work is based on a Visa that will expire before the end of the programme, it may not be possible to employ you in the role as at present, this programme does not meet the minimum salary thresholds required for skilled worker visa sponsorship under the UK Home Office guidelines. As a result, we\\\’re unable to accept applications from those requiring visa sponsorship in order to complete the programme.