Senior Actuarial Trainee Fp&A

Canada Life UK looks after the retirement, investment and protection needs of individuals, families and companies. We help to build better futures for our customers, our intermediaries and our employees by operating as a modern, agile and welcoming organisation.
Part of our parent company Great-West Lifeco, Canada Life UK has operated in the United Kingdom since 1903. We have hundreds of respected and supported employees committed to doing the right thing for our customers and colleagues.
Canada Life UK is transforming to create a more customer-focused business by providing our customers with expertise on financial and tax planning, offering home finance and annuities propositions, and providing collective fund solutions to third party customers.
Job Purpose
The position supports a number of the core FP&A functions, namely:
a) the production of the business plan and forecasting,
b) management of the P&L for the respective business,
c) acting as a point of liaison for the CFO and their Finance function with the business units and,
d) providing insightful analysis of financial and commercial performance against Plan and forecast to both the UK management team and our parent company in Canada.
The position works closely with the Pricing and Distribution teams in each business to understand trading and commercial performance.
The position also provides independent review and challenge of business performance - including how business initiatives and the benefits associated with them will support the competitive positioning and financial outlook for the business.
Key Accountabilities
Supports the Head of FP&A and Financial Performance Director to deliver an effective and credible FP&A function to the business. This requires the role holder to possess sufficient relevant expertise, experience and insight to manage the P&L and partner the relevant line of business.
Oversees the provision of smooth running and efficient forecasting, planning, analysis and management reporting process providing consistent and high quality information to support the respective business in making sound, strategic business decisions in respect of its operations including providing effective expense discipline (both BAU and projects).
Key outputs include:
1) Management Information
2) Annual budgeting and forecasting (including quarterly reforecasting)
3) Commentary on Canadian earnings including analysis versus plan
4) UK local entity reporting including UK GAAP /IFRS financial statements (as applicable) and Solvency II (if applicable)
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
Communication:
• Strong analytical and report writing/drafting skills.
• Can explain complexities in a straightforward and accurate way with coaching or support from managers.
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.
Degree (or equivalent) in Finance, Mathematics, Statistics or related field
Post-graduate qualification in Finance, Mathematics, Statistics or related field (not essential)
Benefits of working at Canada Life
We believe in recognising and rewarding our people, so we offer a competitive salary and benefits package that's regularly reviewed. As a Canada Life UK colleague, you'll receive a competitive salary and comprehensive reward package including a generous pension and bonus scheme, along with, income protection, private medical insurance and life assurance. We have a fantastic number of other benefits and support services as well as regular personal and professional development.
How we work at Canada Life
Our culture is unique and incredibly important to us. We care about doing the right thing for our people, customers and community and helping others to build better futures. Our blueprint behaviours shape and influence how we work, and are central to the relationships we have with others. Every day we are encouraged to be more curious, own the outcome, face into things together and find a way forward.
We want colleagues to have rewarding careers with us so we invest in the development of our people, technology and workplaces. That's why we offer a range of training, flexible working and opportunities to grow and develop.
Diversity and inclusion
Building an inclusive workplace with a diverse workforce where everyone can feel they belong and achieve their potential regardl