Actuarial Trainee Consultant Programme Retirement Bristol 2022

With roots dating to 1828, Willis Towers Watson has 45,000 employees serving more than 140 countries.

Willis Towers Watson is the leading provider of retirement consulting and actuarial services to today’s global organisations, providing actuarial services to more of the world’s top 300 pension funds than any other company. In the UK and Europe, we are the undisputed leader, advising 75 of the FTSE 100 companies.  We also advise small and mid-sized schemes, with the range of clients providing our colleagues with a broad range of opportunities. Our enviable client list covers a very wide range of companies including household names, financial institutions and charities.

We partner with clients around the globe to determine the best approaches to pension scheme design, funding, governance, administration and communication.

The Team

The Retirement team works with trustees and sponsors of occupational pension schemes. We advise on both defined contribution (“DC”) and defined benefit (“DB”) schemes: our trainee consultant vacancies are within the DB team. The DB team helps our clients with all aspects of managing a pension scheme, from regular triennial valuation work, to cutting edge risk-reduction and scheme design projects. We often work closely with our colleagues in other teams, such as DC, investment, communications and administration, to provide joined-up advice to our clients. We work in partnership with our clients to help them to manage the potentially substantial risks involved with retirement benefit provision and to ensure that their benefits meet the needs of all stakeholders.

The Retirement team is the largest recruiter of graduates in Willis Towers Watson’s Human Capital and Benefits Line of Business.

The Role

As a trainee consultant in the Retirement team, you’ll need good numerical and communication skills, the ability to plan work effectively and a strong desire to solve challenging, technical problems. You’ll develop consulting skills so that you can help clients understand and manage their pension risks.

Trainee consultants at Willis Towers Watson benefit from all the resources and opportunities that a large company can provide, but this doesn’t come at the cost of individuality. You will have the opportunity to work alongside some of the leading figures in the pensions industry and also to be recognised for your personal contribution.

Regardless of which of our offices you join, you’ll be part of the bigger Willis Towers Watson community, and will be able to contribute to our fundraising and community activities, as well as our sporting and social groups. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment, enriched by our people, our clients, and the communities in which we work and live.

Career path and Study Support

Our development programme will equip you with the skills you need to progress in your career. During the first few years, the focus will be on technical and consulting skills, and you will follow a structured development programme of blended learning consisting of a mix of classroom sessions, eLearning, webinars, recorded videos, self-study and reading. You will also benefit from access to our career pathing materials, enabling you to take control of your career from an early stage.

Trainee consultants in the Retirement team study to become Fellows of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries. Willis Towers Watson will support you through the actuarial exams with a study mentor as well as a complete and flexible study support package that includes:

• Membership fees of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries
• Study materials for each exam such as course notes, sample questions, past paper questions, mock exams and revision notes 
• Tutorials for each exam 
• Exam entry fees and a re-sit attempt if required
• Study leave roughly equal to one day per week 
• You will also have the support of a large body of students and qualified actuaries, who can share their experiences of studying for the exams.
• Trainee consultants receive salary increases for each exam passed in addition to increases that are awarded as part of their annual salary review.

The Requirements 

• 2:1 degree in a numerate discipline OR 
• 2:1 degree in a non-numerate discipline plus A-Level Maths at grade A/B (or equivalent qualifications)

The Application Process

• Stage 1: Online application, including CV
• Stage 2: Online testing
• Stage 3: Video interview – Check out our "Acing an Interview" guide
• Stage 4: Virtual Interview
• Stage 5: Offer and on-boarding

Start date for the UK Graduate Programme will be September 2022

Equal Opportunity Employer