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.
Role and Responsibilities
We are looking to recruit a Pension Administration System Analyst role in either our London, Leeds or Manchester office.
You will make an active contribution to team goals, develop your skills and broaden your experience.
- Your main client is the pensions administration team, so need to able to understand what they, as the end user, require.
- Undertake data migrations onto Compendia for new clients.
- Undertake data migrations onto the Pension Payroll system for new payroll clients.
- Maintain guidance and controls for our Implementation processes, with the ability to identify and improve processes and documentation.
- Provide user support for Compendia workflows and data interrogation.
- Support errors from pensions administration.
- Configure Compendia workflows, reports and letters to internal specifications.
- Provide general system configuration assistance.
- To peer review and ensure own work is peer reviewed as appropriate.
- Work within agreed Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
- Maintain documentation for projects and ongoing work.
- Maintain record of work completed and time spent, with completion of an accurate timesheet.
- Manage your own workload.
- To support the Team Leaders in delivering change and to train, coach and help develop other team members.
- Ability to work independently, find appropriate solutions where necessary to minimise impact to the work and workloads of our clients.
- Carry out other duties and take on additional responsibilities as may be required from time to time.
Knowledge, skills and experience
- At least two years in a DC or DB pensions administration or related role.
- A pensions qualification or be willing to study for one of the PMI courses – APE, CPC.
- Self-motivated with the ability to work autonomously, in line with the responsibilities that the role requires.
- A good understanding of the data migration lifecycle and requirements.
- The ability to evidence experience of data migration tools and methodologies.
- Works well as part of a team and to support other team members.
- This team is located across multiple offices, so communication within the team is key.
- Ability to meet client SLAs, contribute to good practice and foster the development of junior team members.
Information Technology
- Advanced Knowledge of Microsoft Excel.
- Experience of data migration tools and software would be a distinct advantage.
- Working Knowledge of SQL/VBA would be a distinct advantage.
- Ideally, advanced experience of Compendia.
- Knowledge of other pension administration systems.
Communication
- Excellent communication skills, with ability to express complicated ideas in a concise and clear way.
- Good project management skills, with the ability to run a project to a successful conclusion within agreed timeframes.
Analytical skills
- Logical approach to problem solving.
- Consider alternative approaches to new problems.
- Follow processes and suggest improvements where required.
- Has great attention to detail.
Interpersonal
- Ability to work as part of a team.
- Provide constructive feedback about colleagues.
- Project a positive attitude towards our Firm.
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.
