Pensions Actuary (Project Director)

Role Overview

ZR Consultants is partnering with a UK financial regulatory body to appoint a Pensions Actuary at Project Director level. Working with the Director of Actuarial Regulation, Senior Project Directors and other Project Directors, the role will deliver the objectives in the annual strategy and plan. This covers developing UK technical actuarial standards and pension illustrations, assessing their effectiveness through a monitoring programme, and providing actuarial expertise across the wider organisation.

The pensions industry is changing at pace, and this is an opportunity to help shape actuarial regulation in response to new initiatives arising from the Government's Pensions Reform agenda.

The ideal candidate is a Fellow of the IFoA with significant post qualification experience and some experience of regulation, supervision and/or practice, having operated at a senior level in a consulting, in-house, management or regulatory role. Deep technical knowledge of the pensions industry is essential, preferably with significant Defined Contribution (DC) pensions experience, together with a strong understanding of what drives high quality actuarial work.

This role operates on a hybrid basis, with 40% of working time each month spent in the office. The role is based in London, or Birmingham is available as a secondary location. Precise arrangements are to be agreed with the line manager.

Key Responsibilities

Actuarial Standards Development

• Develop the technical actuarial standards and pension illustrations in the UK
• Assess and determine the issues to be addressed within actuarial standards, drawing on strategic knowledge of developments affecting the sector
• Interpret and synthesise a wide range of responses to consultation documents
• Help shape actuarial regulation in response to new Pensions Reform initiatives

Monitoring and Effectiveness

• Assess the effectiveness of the technical actuarial standards through the monitoring programme
• Contribute to the delivery of the objectives set out in the annual strategy and plan

Actuarial Expertise and Cross-Functional Support

• Provide actuarial expertise to disciplinary cases
• Support the oversight of the IFoA
• Provide actuarial input to audit quality review inspections
• Provide specialist input to cross-unit projects, working with colleagues from other practice areas and operating units
• Work flexibly to support team activities and provide cover across the wider organisation as required

Stakeholder Engagement and Delivery

• Engage credibly with senior actuarial practitioners and other senior stakeholders
• Present to large and challenging audiences
• Take ownership and responsibility for timely, high quality delivery of projects

Qualifications & Skills

Required

• Fellow of the IFoA (FIA) with significant post qualification experience
• Deep technical knowledge of the pensions industry
• Experience at a senior level in a consulting, in-house, management or regulatory role
• Some experience of regulation, supervision and/or practice as an actuarial practitioner
• Strong understanding of what drives high quality actuarial work
• Externally acknowledged technical expertise in the field
• Knowledge of the standards and guidance issued by the IFoA to its members, and of the IFoA's education, CPD, competence and disciplinary regimes

Preferred

• Significant experience in Defined Contribution (DC) pensions

Technical Skills

• Strong quantitative analytical and modelling skills
• Strategic knowledge of developments and issues affecting the pensions sector
• Strong analytical skills in assessing issues for inclusion in actuarial standards and synthesising consultation responses

Soft Skills

• Strong oral and written communication, including strong presentation skills
• Experience speaking to large and challenging audiences
• Able to learn from colleagues in other practice areas
• Able to work collaboratively in a team and independently when required
• Strong ownership of delivery and accountability for quality

Company

ZR Consultants (ZRC) is a successful business consulting firm specialising in Accounting, Governance, Risk and Controls with a track record of delivering large scale projects which include SOX Compliance (Sarbanes Oxley), Business and IT Controls Transformation (SAP S/4HANA, Oracle Fusion control and process design), Controls rationalisation and optimisation, Accounting advisory, Internal Audits, ESG, and regulatory compliance to clients all over Europe.

Established in 2003, we have expanded rapidly over the last 6 years and have amassed a number of global Blue-Chip clients. As we continue to grow, we remain dedicated to delivering high quality, cost-effective services to our clients and expanding our global reach. To learn more please visit www.zrconsultants.co.uk

Equal Opportunities

Pay: £117,700.00 per year

Ability to commute/relocate:

• London E14: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Application question(s):

• How many years of actuarial regulation, supervision or standard-setting experience do you have?
• Are you a qualified actuary holding Fellowship of the IFoA (FIA)?
• How many years have you worked at senior level in a consulting, in-house, management or regulatory role?
• Applications close on 15 November 2026. Please indicate your availability or notice period?
• Please copy and paste your LinkedIn profile address here

Education:

• Bachelor's (preferred)

Experience:

• Pensions Actuary: 10 years (preferred)
• project management : 5 years (preferred)
• Defined Contribution (DC) pensions : 5 years (preferred)

Language:

• English (required)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Willingness to travel:

• 50% (required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in London E14