Title:  Senior Actuarial Trainee

Job Purpose

As a senior actuarial trainee (part-qualified) at Canada life in the Group Protection team, you will be responsible for providing actuarial, statistical and financial insight and analysis to management. You will have opportunity to advise the business or management to ensure that we are managing risk exposure to the business to satisfy our statutory responsibilities as well as the needs of policyholders and that of our regulators. The key metrics of involvement will be SII, IFRS and LICAT.

The team size is relatively small which offers the scope and opportunity to have direct exposure in the production of necessary Actuarial deliverables; including but not limited to: 
•    Data Checks – the validity of data used within the reserving must be checked for completeness and accuracy
•    Reserves – the calculation of SII, IFRS and LICAT reserves will be integral to the role, which will fundamentally involve updating spreadsheets in-line with instructions and support from colleagues
•    Analysis – beyond the production of the reserves, analysis and checks of the output will be required to provide rationale behind movements
•    Auditor/regulator items – ad-hoc support will be required for queries or requests raised from auditors/regulators
•    Forecasting – in the Group Protection team, we facilitate with forecasted reserves vs actual; thus support in producing the forecasting will be required
•    Assumptions – support on the basis and assumption settings may involve running macro’s and refreshing spreadsheets

Key Accountabilities

1.    Produce, assist with or review the production and interpretation of financial analysis within their line of business or function. 
2.    Produce, or assist in the production, of regular departmental, business or regulatory reports taking in to account commercial and statutory considerations.
3.    Support accurate and insightful commentary to immediate line management. The role holder will be developing sound understanding of statistical and financial models as well as the ability to practically and tangibly interpret analysis and make recommendations.
4.    Support and make recommendations on the continuous improvement of department processes and procedures, taking into account up-to-date industry developments and issues to ensure to ensure the provision of a timely, accurate, commercial and efficient actuarial service to the business and key stakeholders.

5.    Taking part in and making a valuable contribution to different roles via the actuarial student rotation scheme as well as actively studying for the actuarial exams and making acceptable exam progress, as determined by the company and in line with company study policy

Desired Knowledge / Experience / Skills

Technical Expertise:
•    Developing knowledge and understanding of different actuarial disciplines including via student rotation.
•    Developing the ability to interpret as well as analyse financial information to provide insight for immediate line management. 
•    Developing knowledge of a variety of statistical methods, models and controls, and their commercial application/implication.
•    Ability to develop and modify actuarial systems and spreadsheets, developing understanding of their commercial application/implication.
•    Intermediate to advanced MS excel skills demonstrating efficient use of spreadsheets and basic data manipulation skills.
•    Ability to deliver work to a consistently high standard under tight time pressure with attention to detail.
•    Exposure for key reserving metrics including SII and IFRS (bonus if knowledge in LICAT also)

Communication: 
•    Strong analytical and report writing/drafting skills.
•    Can explain complexities in a straightforward and accurate way with coaching or support from managers.
•    Communicating effectively with junior analysts within the team

Relationship Building:
•    The ability to develop and maintain strong relationships across the actuarial function, acting with integrity and being a role model for the company values at all times 
•    Being able to flex their style and approach to different individuals, with occasional coaching and support, in order to achieve a successful outcome.
•    Taking part in and making a valuable contribution in different roles via actuarial student rotation.

Problem Solving & Accurate Judgement:
•    Able to effectively plan, organise and execute their own work with little supervision, making management aware of conflicting priorities and readjusting their workload accordingly.
•    Good problem solving skills and attention to detail, being able to identify issues and interdependencies, recommending a course of action with support and guidance from colleagues.
•    Can make some decisions independently in order to progress issues, and able to exercise sound judgement and commercial sense to understand the importance of different issues and assess when matters need to be escalated.
•    Proactive in approach to tasks and taking on new responsibilities.

Developing Self:
•    Actively studying for actuarial exams, usually being over half-way through their qualification.
•    An interested and inquisitive individual who is committed to their own ongoing professional and personal development.
•    Developing the ability to apply technical actuarial techniques and understand business/commercial implications.
 

Qualifications:

Degree (or equivalent) in Finance, Mathematics, Statistics or related field 
Post-graduate qualification in Finance, Mathematics, Statistics or related field (not essential)
Eagerness of working through the Actuarial IFoA or equivalent exams.