Pension Consultant

A fast-growing pensions consolidator team is looking to hire high-quality actuarial consultants at part-qualified or fully qualified level to support an expanding portfolio of DB pension schemes. This is a genuinely technical, end-to-end actuarial role offering real ownership, autonomy, and exposure to well-funded schemes actively exploring buy-out and endgame strategies.

The Opportunity – What the Role Really Involves

This is not a narrow process role. Consultants take full ownership of their own portfolio of pension schemes, typically 8–10 schemes, ranging from a few £m to several £bn. You will see the entire actuarial lifecycle of each scheme and develop a deep understanding of how the work fits together — something candidates consistently highlight as a major positive.

Key Responsibilities

• End-to-end ownership of a portfolio of DB pension schemes
• Keeping all actuarial work on track and up to date
• Performing and checking pension liability calculations, including: Roll-forwards, switches and movements
• Understanding calculations without reliance on pre-built models
• Day-to-day actuarial work, including:
• Actuarial factors
• Actuarial valuations
• Insured annuitant calculations
• Funding updates
• Preparing advice letters, reports and client communications
• Attending client meetings as you develop in the role (supported but not mandatory)

Project & Specialist Work

There is strong opportunity to get involved in bespoke, high-value project work, including:

• Buy-out and endgame planning (many schemes are now well-funded and actively progressing these options)

Most hires will be at checker level. Typically 4–10 years’ experience. Open to part-qualified actuaries, those working towards FIA, or fully qualified actuaries (FIA).

How the Work Is Structured

The team operates a do / check / review model. Be supported by a pool of junior colleagues. Have autonomy to manage your workload and guide others. Begin developing direct client relationships on your schemes. This structure provides early exposure to leadership and client ownership, without the pressure of full people‑management responsibility.

What We Look For

• Strong ownership and accountability for client work
• Ability to calculate and check pension liabilities independently
• Solid technical grounding and understanding of how calculations work
• Proactive mindset and ability to organise your own portfolio
• Appetite to take responsibility and grow with the business

Why This Role Is Different

• More technical, less admin
• A calculation-focused actuarial role
• No responsibility for meeting packs, minutes, or admin work
• Client interaction is encouraged but not compulsory
• True end-to-end actuarial experience
• No offshoring of core calculations
• Consultants work start-to-finish on their schemes
• Builds genuine technical depth and commercial understanding

Clear progression

• Promotion based on capability and contribution
• No waiting for someone senior to move on
• Opportunity to help build teams as the business scales

Strong market proposition

The consolidator model is resonating strongly with clients. Candidates who understand the platform and proposition tend to progress fastest.

Locations & Flexibility

• Core hubs: Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow
• Additional flexibility: Support teams in Leeds and London
• Candidates outside core hubs considered, particularly at Manager level
• Full-time or part-time options available (e.g. 3 days per week)

For those outside core regions, success relies on:

• Proactivity
• Strong ownership of client work
• Ability to operate with slightly less day‑to‑day oversight

In Summary

• High-quality technical actuarial role
• Full ownership of schemes and end-to-end work
• Strong exposure to buy-out and endgame projects
• Fast-growing team with clear progression
• Minimal admin, maximum actuarial content
• Flexible location and working patterns
• A business that’s scaling and investing in its people