Defined Benefit Consultant - Birmingham

KPMG’s Pensions Advisory business continues to build out its new pensions team, and requires individuals that can bring different skill-sets to the team.

We are looking for a talented Consultant to join our team, who will be responsible for working closely with colleagues in the area of defined benefit pensions. Specific areas of focus, but not exhaustive, will include

• Journey planning and risk management, aiming for self-sufficiency or buy out, and endgame options including use of surplus
• Funding advice to sponsors and advice on compliance with DB funding code
• Advice on contingent funding options and work on special purpose vehicles
• Pensions due diligence on mergers and acquisitions
• Provision of member education and communication
• Advice on benefit change, benefit design and implementation
• Advice on good governance and compliance

• Gain understanding of defined benefit pension schemes and actuarial liability calculations
• Gain understanding of accounting for pensions
• Responsible for analysing client data and information using actuarial techniques and central models
• Producing technical actuarial work in line with actuarial standards and KPMG quality procedures. 
• Running checks to assess reasonableness of actuarial assumptions and results, using KPMG developed tools.
• Use outputs to generate initial draft reports/emails
• Support team in day-to-day running of cases, including general administration and tracking of procedures versus timeline
• Supporting with end to end tasks for client projects and esnure delivery within agreed timeframes
• Developing specialist technical knowledge
• Maintaining regular, open and honest communication whilst working together with the team  
• Develop strong financial management, timely billing and debt collection

Technical core competencies required for the role

The relevant competencies for this role are:

• Technical knowledge: Understands relevant technical actuarial, accounting and financial reporting standards, pension regulations and legislation. Exhibits and stays current on appropriate industry and specialist knowledge, and leverages KPMG methodologies.
• Technology skills: Uses firm-approved tools and innovative technology solutions to increase quality, productivity and data insights.
• Professional scepticism: Applies professional scepticism, objectivity and independence to pensions actuarial work
• Documentation: Completes documentation and audit trails demonstrating an unwavering focus on quality and in line with the actuarial standards.

People & Culture

• Embrace and embed our culture ambition of high challenge, high support which is grounded in Our Values.
• Operate with a curious and sceptical mindset ensuring that this is embedded in your everyday work.
• Actively lead and embed a coaching culture to get the best out of others in an environment where everyone in the team feels empowered to speak up or challenge where appropriate.
• Be accountable, professional and act in the public interest, working for the benefit of stakeholders and wider society.
• Be inclusive and embrace the opportunity to work with other teams across the firm in an integrated way. Have a sense of community, purpose and fun.

Experience and Knowledge Requirements  

• Experience of working in pensions actuarial at either an employee benefit consultancy or other Big 4 firm. (E)
• Basic knowledge of defined benefit pension scheme valuations, roll forward methodologies, and actuarial techniques. (E)
• Understanding of the wider UK pensions landscape (D)
• IT literate with sound knowledge and experience of MS Office tools (Excel, PowerPoint and Word). (E)

Behavioural Attributes and Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to communicate complex matters in a clear and compelling manner.
• Highly effective stakeholder management and relationship building skills; credible and confident with stakeholders at all levels. 
• Strong organisational and time management skills; able to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with conflicting priorities and deadlines.
• Self-driven and resilient; able to thrive in a high-pressure environment.
• Effective problem solver; makes pragmatic and logical decisions, drawing on own and others’ technical expertise to provide high quality solutions.
• Strong analytical and numerical skills; able to analyse and interpret complex technical statistical information, with a focus on quality, attention to details and accuracy in calculations.
• Effective team working skills; works collaboratively with others towards shared goals.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree with a mathematical / financial nature (E)
• Training to be a qualified actuary - FIA (or equivalent) (E)

E – Essential, D – Desirable