Junior Business Manager

Government Actuary's Department; London; On-site; GBP 52,000; Full time

Job description

10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf, London E14 4PU

Job Summary

The Government Actuary’s Department (GAD) is a non-ministerial department, which provides actuarial solutions including financial risk analysis, modelling and advice to support the UK public sector. We apply the actuarial profession’s technical skills, consultancy discipline, high standards of professionalism and industry sector knowledge to solve financial challenges faced by the UK public sector. Our mission is to improve the stewardship of public sector finances by supporting effective decision-making and robust financial reporting through actuarial analysis, modelling and advice.

Job Description

To ensure operation of a high quality and efficient unit by adopting a pro-active and flexible approach, demonstrating strong organisational skills and a solution focused mindset. This role requires a deep understanding of GAD’s operations. The postholder will lead on all non-technical aspects of work within the business unit, supporting the Senior Business Manager in delivering business plans and strategic objectives. They will pro-actively identify opportunities for improved ways of working, applying a solutions-focussed approach to enhance efficiency and team engagement.

Person specification

As a junior Business Manager, you will oversee the following:

Finance And Resource, Including Planning And Resource Management

• Support the Senior Business Manager in the input and monitoring of the units’ financial forecasts and business plan, MI and QBR reporting.
• Undertake monitoring of team utilisation, fee income and aged WIP/debt, and pro-actively take action to address any emerging issues.
• Support the Senior Business Manager in working closely with Finance, HR and unit managers, on workforce management, co-ordinating people MI data and supporting cross-GAD resource management ensuring resource required is redeployed as necessary to support wider GAD projects.

Processes, Including Change Management And Delivery Management

• Support the management of the Unit’s risk register including regular review of existing and new team risks and challenge of risk owners.
• Monitor team compliance with GAD-wide policies such as Project Management framework and GDPR management.

People, including talent management and running the performance management process:

• Ensure smooth operation of the Performance appraisal process, including driving improvements in quantum and quality of feedback.
• Act as a conduit to HR throughout the key people processes.
• Supporting in co-ordinating and monitoring MI data for the unit as required by HR.

Clients, including BD (Business Development) activities and client management (where applicable)

• Support management of the Client Feedback Program, ensuring client feedback is sought through Client Surveys, end of project requests and wider Client Review meetings and relevant learnings shared across the team.
• Support the management of Client, Business Development KPIs to inform GAD wide reporting.
• Support the development and management of Client Plans to ensure relevant actions are captured and taken forward.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Knowledge of projects management techniques (Desirable)

Alongside your salary of £51,854, Government Actuary's Department contributes £15,022 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

As well as competitive salaries, we offer a substantial package of benefits:

• Exceptional learning and development opportunities that you can explore alongside your day-to-day work.
• 25 days annual leave per year, increasing to 30 days after 5 years’ service. In addition, we offer 9 days public and privilege days leave per year (pro rata for part time staff)
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
• 5 days of paid volunteering leave
• Up to 9 months maternity leave on full pay + generous paternity and adoption leave
• Staff reward and recognition bonuses that operate throughout the year.
• Occupational sick pay
• Family-friendly policies such as help with caring responsibilities, special leave, generous paid maternity, paternity, and adoption leave.
• Access to employee assistance programme which offers staff 24/7 confidential support and resources such as counselling, debt guidance and management advice.
• The opportunity to join a trade union.
• A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity.
• Salary advances for travel costs, including annual season tickets and cycle-to-work schemes.
• Access to the Edenred employee benefits system which offers discounts to popular retailers and access to various useful resources such as financial and savings advice.
• Complimentary BUPA health check for permanent staff.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours and Technical skills.

Application deadline: 2355 hrs on 11 May 2025

Shortlisting: W/C 12 May 2025

Interviews: W/C 19 May 2025

Interview location: In office (London, E14 4PU)

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 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)
• 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

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code 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.

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.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

Contact point for applicants

Job Contact

• Name : Recruitment Team
• Email : [e-mail]

Recruitment team

• Email : [e-mail]

Further information

The Government Actuary’s Department’s recruitment processes are underpinned by the recruitment principles of the Civil Service Commissioner, which outline that selection for appointment be made on merit on the basis of fair and open competition. If you feel at any time your application has not been treated in accordance with the values in the Civil Service Code and/or if you feel the recruitment has been conducted in such a way that conflicts with the Civil Service Commissioner’s Recruitment Principles, you may make a complaint, by contacting [e-mail] in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can contact the Civil Service Commissioners.