About the job

Job summary

The Government Actuary’s Department provides actuarial solutions including financial risk analysis, modelling and advice to support the UK public sector. Our mission is to improve the stewardship of public sector finances by supporting effective decision making and robust reporting. We do this by bringing together actuarial knowledge and expertise, analytical techniques, consultancy discipline and high standards of professionalism.

Job description

The New Product Development Leader will work across all of GADs business areas to develop new products that will solve a variety of problems for our Public Service clients. You are expected to take a proactive approach to identifying new areas of work and lead on the delivery of these projects to bring them to a successful conclusion.

You will work closely with Business Development professionals to develop a clear vision for new products that meet the requirements of both existing and prospective clients based on our strategic priorities. This will require you to engage effectively with clients and demonstrate both curiosity and boldness.

You will then work with Analysts and Actuaries in our central Analytical team to deliver solutions through others using a range of different tools and programming languages. As such you should have strong technical and Project Management skills.

You will work alongside senior colleagues, and our innovation forum, to ensure that GAD is driving innovation across a range of areas within the Department.

As a senior member of GAD’s central analytical team a key aspect of this role will be to help mentor and develop more junior members of staff, and as such you should possess excellent coaching skills and be generous with your time to help upskill others.

You will proactively monitor technological advancements which are relevant to GAD and consider how GAD can utilise and implement these technologies into its work. 

Part of your role will be to manage the Development Team Lead (who are responsible for the day-to-day work of the Development Team). 

You may also explore ways in which we can embed innovation across the Department and improve some of our internal tools and processes.

If the successful candidate is based in Edinburgh, frequent travel to the London office will be a feature of the role.

Person specification

1. To lead the provision of innovative high-quality analytical advice to a range of public service clients, and across a range of technical areas that are new to GAD. The role will need to be undertaken in accordance with GAD’s values; our goal of agile working is particularly relevant in this context.
2. To engage with clients to understand and meet their needs. This will require an ability to understand complex problems, develop and articulate solutions, and proactively manage clients throughout the delivery process
3. To be an effective member of the AST Leadership Team with a key focus on the successful delivery of new products. This will require an ability to manage projects, problem solve and work creatively, adapting to new technologies, techniques, and ways of working. The role will require an ability to apply existing understanding to new and unfamiliar situations.
4. To be proactive in keeping abreast of new tools and processes, and understanding how these can be applied at GAD in order to improve the effectiveness and quality of our advice to clients.
5. To work with colleagues across the Department to foster a culture of innovation. This will include contributing to the development of colleagues and line management.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £114,666, Government Actuary's Department contributes £30,959 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Technical skills.

Application deadline: 12:00 hrs on 15 July 2024
Shortlisting: w/c 15 July 2024
Engagement panel: w/c 22 July 2024 and w/c 29 July 2024
Interview: w/c 05 Aug 2024

Interview location: In office - London, E14 4PU

The recruitment process consists of two interview stages before the final decision is made.

Please apply via our recruitment portal below.

As part of the application form process, please submit your CV and supporting statement. Please do not email your CV outside of this process as it will not be accepted.

Shortlisting criteria is based on the Person Specification as set out in the Assessment Criteria section of the Job Description. Please ensure you provide examples of how you meet the Assessment Criteria; a strong application will also demonstrate that you meet the required criteria that are identified as key for this role. Applications will be shortlisted in line with the essential criteria for the role. Behaviours will be assessed at interview stage. Candidates who are successful at shortlist will be contacted as soon as possible and advised of the interview process and assessment (exact times and dates will also be confirmed).

A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.