About First Actuarial
First Actuarial has been around since 2004, when a small group of like-minded actuaries came together to bring fresh thinking to pensions consultancy. More than two decades later, our strong growth path has continued year on year, and we now employ over 500 people across seven locations.
First Actuarial is owned by Gallagher, one of the world’s leading insurance brokers, risk management and consulting firms. First Actuarial forms part of Gallagher’s UK Benefits & HR Consulting division (GBS UK).
GBS UK is a leading provider in the pensions consultancy market, offering a full end-to-end retirement proposition, including actuarial and investment consulting, risk transfer, pensions administration and retirement communications. With experts positioned across all regions, we support pension schemes of all sizes across the full range of solutions.
First Actuarial operates nationally with more than 550 colleagues across seven UK offices. Our focus is on delivering high-quality advice and service at a fair and transparent level of fees.
As we develop our business, opportunities for our people grow. Our Basingstoke, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Peterborough, Tonbridge, and London offices provide supportive work environments where everyone can make a difference. We enjoy work and celebrate our successes. And we provide support and helpful feedback, so we all learn and improve.
We love numbers, but we love people more. Staff wellbeing and work-life balance have always been core values. Beyond the firm, we’re known for our integrity. We’re happy to challenge conventional thinking and speak up. Our pioneering work is set to transform the lives of millions of younger people with a new type of pension.
The role
We are now recruiting for a Pensions Consultant to join our specialist team in our Peterborough, Basingstoke, London, Leeds or Tonbridge office who provide consultancy, secretarial, project and technical services to clients and support to internal teams/firm wide projects and focus groups.
This is an exciting time to join us with the opportunity to become involved in a wide variety of work and projects working both independently and as part of a team. You will have excellent communication and organisational skills with a minimum of 5 years’ experience in delivering pension scheme client services.
Responsibilities
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Provide consultancy, secretariat, and governance services to a portfolio of clients. Establish and build strong relationships with clients and other stakeholders, alongside ongoing client teams.
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Organise Trustee and client ad-hoc meetings, prepare agendas, meeting packs, draft, and present reports, prepare meeting minutes, document and monitor agreed actions and decisions. Maintain and update key scheme governance documentation and policies.
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Provide support to Trustee boards to meet Effective System Of Governance requirements and maintain Client Hub service.
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Manage and provide support on a wide range of projects delivering these to clients and internal teams by agreed deadlines. Draft and maintain project plans.
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Produce and present clear and accurate internal and client reports, documents, and presentations.
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Provide support with the onboarding of new clients with the opportunity to become involved in new business tenders.
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Assist the specialist consultancy team in the delivery of services and advice both externally and internally.
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Proactive in personal development and continuous learning to keep up to date with pensions legislation/industry guidance.
Experience/skills
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Working knowledge of day-to-day pension scheme management is essential with evidence of ongoing development.
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Experience in a client facing relationship management/secretarial role with good presentation skills.
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Previous project management experience desirable
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Strong knowledge of pension scheme governance requirements.
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Worked collaboratively with a range of stakeholders to ensure objectives and deadlines met.
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Highly organised with effective time management and workload prioritisation skills.
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Excellent verbal and written communication skills with strong attention to detail and accuracy.
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Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
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A positive and enthusiastic attitude with willingness to take on new challenges.
What we offer you
On top of a competitive salary, great teams and exciting career opportunities, we also offer a wide range of benefits.
Below are the minimum core benefits you’ll get, depending on your job level these benefits may improve:
Minimum of 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, and the option to ‘buy’ 10 more days- Defined contribution pension scheme, which Gallagher will also contribute to
- Life insurance, which will pay 4x your basic annual salary, which you can top-up to 10x
- Income protection, we’ll cover up to 50% of your annual income, with options to top up
- Health cash plan or Private medical insurance
Other benefits include:
- Three fully paid volunteering days per year
- Employee Stock Purchase plan, offering company shares at a discount
- Share incentive plan, HMRC approved, tax effective, stock purchase plan
- Critical illness cover
- Discounted gym membership, with over 3,000 gyms nationally
- Season ticket loan
- Access to a discounted voucher portal to save money on your weekly shop or next big
purchase
- Emergency back-up family care
We have hybrid working in place for colleagues who prefer homeworking for part of the week. We’re also flexible on working day arrangements and will happily accommodate a range of personal commitments from day one.
Our straightforward, interview-based approach to recruitment ensures equal opportunities for all applicants.
Please note that we can only accept candidates who have a right to work in the UK.
