Deputy Chief Life Actuary in Swindon

Working hours: This role is available on a part-time, job-share or full-time basis.

Salary: Attractive compensation package depending on experience plus an excellent benefits package.

Location: Swindon, hybrid working.

Closing date for applications: 3rd June 2026.

The opportunity:

We are looking to appoint a Deputy Chief Actuary for the UK Life business. This is a senior leadership role supporting the UK Life Chief Actuary and their wider team, who are responsible for reserving, capital management, and oversight of pricing governance across the business. You will play a key role in providing insight into business performance and shaping actuarial strategy, while also contributing to UK-wide strategic initiatives and transformation activity. The UK Life Actuarial function consists of around 50 people, and you will lead a team, reporting directly to the UK Life Chief Actuary. This role offers strong visibility across the UK and wider Group, with regular interaction at senior level including the EMEA Chief Actuary, UK Life CFO and UK Life CRO. It is an excellent opportunity to operate at the heart of the business and influence decision-making at the highest level.

What will you be doing?

• Leading actuarial services, ensuring delivery of high-quality and robust outputs.
• Making informed actuarial recommendations based on professional judgement and experience.
• Reviewing actuarial principles, methodologies and economic assumptions used across reserving, regulatory, statutory and management reporting.
• Supporting the cascade of Group strategy into the UK Life actuarial function, including leading and overseeing change initiatives such as Accelerated Close and the development of rolling forecasts.
• Contributing to strategy development and portfolio management, ensuring actuarial considerations are embedded into business decisions.
• Providing thought leadership on complex actuarial and portfolio issues, supporting both local and global priorities.
• Leading complex analyses and special projects, including providing insight on mergers & acquisitions and supporting system developments requested by Group Actuarial and Group Finance.
• Acting as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders, including UK, regional and Group Chief Actuaries, as well as UK Life executive leadership (including the UK Life CFO, UK Life CRO and UK Life CEO).
• Leading cross-functional initiatives to improve data quality, availability and governance to enable deeper and more granular analysis.
• Driving continuous improvement across actuarial processes and leading key change and transformation projects within the UK Life Actuarial function.
• Ensuring robust governance of baselining processes in line with Group, Regional and Local regulatory requirements.
• Leading, developing and mentoring a team, with accountability for team performance, engagement and development.
• Supporting the production of the ZAL Actuarial Function Report (AFR) and contributing to key governance forums, including the UK Life Reserving Committee, deputising for the Chief Actuary where required.
• Taking a lead on regulatory matters, including regulatory reporting and engagement.

In addition, you will support the UK Life Chief Actuary with:

• Driving improvements to capital modelling and capitalisation activities, including management actions.
• Capital calculations, modelling and reporting.
• Validation and review of PRA submissions and regulatory reporting.
• Oversight of internal models across the Group, including SST, economic models and IFRS analysis.
• Embedding capital models into business decision-making, including product strategy, reinsurance and strategic asset allocation.
• Delivering ad-hoc modelling and capital analysis to support business needs and additional reporting requirements.

What are we looking for?

• We are looking for an experienced actuarial leader with strong technical depth, commercial insight and the ability to influence at senior level.
• Fully qualified actuary (FIA or equivalent) with a minimum of 5 years’ post-qualification experience.
• Degree (or equivalent) in a numerate discipline such as Mathematics, Statistics, Economics, Engineering or a related field.
• Strong ability to influence, negotiate and communicate effectively with senior stakeholders.
• Proven analytical capability, with strong business acumen and the ability to translate complex concepts into clear, actionable insight.
• Experience operating across multiple actuarial or business areas, with a broad understanding of life insurance dynamics.
• Track record of leading teams and delivering through others, with a focus on development and engagement.
• Experience in improving and enhancing automation of delivery of key Actuarial Reporting processes.
• Ability to navigate complexity and provide thought leadership on challenging actuarial and business issues.

What will you get in return?

Everyone’s different. That’s why at Zurich, we offer a wide range of employee benefits so our people can choose what fits them and their life. Our benefits provide real flexibility so our people can make considered choices and tailor their benefits throughout the year. Our benefits include 12% defined non-contributory pension scheme, annual company bonus, private medical insurance and the option to buy up to an additional 20 days or sell some of your holiday, alongside a range of other flexible benefits.

You can find out more about our wide range of employee benefits on our website.

Your application:

We’re committed to treating all applicants fairly and with respect, irrespective of their actual or assumed background, sexual orientation, disability or any other protected characteristic. As an inclusive employer we also want to ensure that all candidates feel comfortable and are able to perform at their best during the interview. You’ll have the opportunity to let us know of any reasonable adjustment or practical support needed when you apply.