A specialist recruitment consultancy operating within Actuarial, Broking & Claims, Compliance, Credit Risk & Analytics, Customer Contact, Finance & Audit, ​Financial Crime & Fraud, Legal, Procurement & Risk Management

Finance Project Manager

Manchester

c. £50,000 + Benefits (DOE)

MERJE are partnered with a growing Financial Services Business in their search for a talented Finance Project Manager Your new role:  Reporting directly to the Group Financial Controller, you will be the Finance champion for projects across the business, providing input from across the wider Finance team and being the “voice” for SMEs in each Finance area. This role is crucial for maintaining organisation and oversight across a variety of critical business projects on behalf of Finance.   Responsibilities: Managing Finance stakeholder groups across the business to support project outcomes by facilitating meetings and workshops. Liaising across the key Finance departments, Business Change and IT to provide input on behalf of Group Finance to key project meetings. Planning, conducting and documenting UAT across a range of different projects. Seeking input from SMEs where necessary and collating feedback to deliver to Business Change/IT. Being the Finance lead on the GL upgrade project, liaising between Financial Accounts and Financial Operation to deliver substantial control improvements and efficiencies Being the key point of contact for Finance on the loan servicing platform project, co-ordinating timetables, managing resource planning and delivering regular project updates. Owning the update and transformation of existing process documents to be relevant to newly implemented systems, consulting SMEs where appropriate. Assisting on ad hoc Finance Projects where required. Essential skills & Experience: Ideally you will be a qualified / part qualified Accountant Experience of working in a Finance environment. Previous experience of system migrations, ad hoc projects and UAT. Good knowledge of GL accounting systems. Strong performance management and communication skills. Ability to build relationships with a range of senior stakeholders. Strong IT skills including Excel and Word.   Pay and benefits: Salary up to c£50,000 depending upon experience 25 days holiday which can be flexed up/down Pension Life assurance Critical illness cover Health cash plan Private medical insurance Regular team/individual incentive Travel season ticket loans Ride to Work scheme Free gym access Local bar/restaurant discounts. Career development opportunities are excellent and where appropriate we offer sponsorship of relevant qualifications. Please note, should you not receive feedback within 28 days, unfortunately your application has been unsuccessful. However, we may be in touch with similar relevant opportunities.

Senior Credit Risk Analyst

Leeds

Up to £45,000 dependent on experience

MERJE is looking for an experienced Analyst to join the Credit Risk team in a major, established Financial Services business with a long history of consumer lending. One of the largest of its kind in the UK, the company constantly grows and develops, whilst providing a supportive, encouraging working environment for its employees. On offer is a salary of up to £45,000 dependent on experience, as well as fantastic development and progression opportunities, a collaborative, flexible working environment, friendly teams and a modern, vibrant office with excellent public transport links. Remote working is fully supported at the moment and working from home flexibility will continue even after offices reopen. This company is unable to provide sponsorship Key Responsibilities: Analysing and interpreting Credit Risk data, providing actionable insight to improve strategies and business performance Producing Credit Risk management information and reports as needed Enabling strategic decision making using in depth portfolio analysis Recommending, implementing and monitoring credit risk policy and strategy changes Developing credit risk scorecards and models Building excellent relationships within the business and with external stakeholders Identifying improvement and growth opportunities Required knowledge and experience for the Senior Credit Risk Analyst role: At least 2 years’ experience in an analytical role, preferably within Credit Risk and Mortgages or broader Retail Financial Services / Banking Excellent analytical abilities Good technical skills with SAS or SQL Excellent attention to detail and accuracy skills Strong communication skills, both relationship building and presenting analytical findings to senior management Comfortable working from home for the foreseeable and commuting to Leeds at least some of the week once possible Please note, should feedback not be received within 28 days due to the large volume of applications, unfortunately your application has been unsuccessful. However, we may be in touch with similar relevant opportunities.

Compliance Technician

Birmingham

£30,000 + benefits

Our client is a well-respected Wealth Management business who offer a broad range of products to their customer. An excellent opportunity has arisen to join the business in the role of Compliance Technician where you will assist in managing and assessing file reviews submitted by the Company’s Independent Financial Advisers in line with the Company’s Training and Competency (T&C) requirements.  Key responsibilities include: Checking a sample of files for new business transacted by the firm’s advisers, to ensure advice is suitable and documented in accordance with regulatory requirements. Feedback to advisers on the outcome and any remedial actions required. Follow up to ensure remedial actions are completed in a timely manner. Compile and collate Key Performance Indicator (KPI) data and management information required to monitor adviser performance and ongoing competency. Conduct periodic 1-2-1s with advisers to feedback on performance, highlight strengths and development areas, record results and provide coaching and training as appropriate. Present on compliance matters to advisers and staff at Team Meetings, or as and when required. To compile MI reports on any areas outside compliance (e.g. late suitability reports, expired financial promotions etc). so that these are bought back under compliance. Produce formal six-monthly compliance and AML reports for the firm’s senior management. Produce six monthly TCF reports for the firm’s senior management (and all supplementary forms/documentation accompanying these) Complaint handling – i.e. initial logging of any complaints received, PI Insurer notification, investigating the complaint and communicating the outcome to the complainant. Maintain accurate, detailed and up to date records across all the above areas. Qualifications/Key Skills: Previous compliance knowledge or experience – e.g. from working in a compliance team, file checker, para-planner or possibly audit. Minimum FPC and CeMAP qualifications, plus R01. Preferably full level 4 diploma qualified, or if not, working towards this. Please note, should you not receive feedback 28 days, unfortunately your application has been unsuccessful. However, we may be in touch with similar relevant opportunities.  

Business Development Manager

Glasgow

£30,000 - £35,000 pa

Glasgow City Centre (remote working until further notice) MERJE is looking to recruit a driven Business Development Manager to join our client based in Glasgow City Centre, with remote working in place until further notice. This role is a key permanent hire for the organisation, working Monday to Friday between 8:30am – 5:30pm and will join a thriving business who traded well in 2020 despite the pandemic and are now looking to push on with ambitious growth plans. The role will involve hunting for new clients to the business, firstly ensuring you have a thorough understanding of the client needs, selling a bespoke solution whilst building a robust, lasting relationship. You will be responsible for sourcing, contacting and winning new business, working towards a monthly sales target, whilst building future pipelines. The role will involve using all available sources to develop new relationships and find innovative ways to push the brand in front of as many prospective clients as possible. Your responsibilities will include working closely with the Managing Director to ensure the business development strategy is driving sufficient levels of quality new business, networking across all relevant sectors to continue growing your contact list and prospect clients. You will be a hungry, target driven individual, confident communicating at all levels on both social media and verbally with great attention to detail. Ideally you will have outstanding creative ability and a passion for selling, a background within Digital Marketing or another Solutions based sales sector would be hugely beneficial. This is a fast paced, varied role where you will play a key part in the ongoing growth of our client. It is essential you are enthusiastic, with a strong work ethic and put quality at the heart of what you do. This is a great new role for someone looking to further their career in Sales, where you can work with the Senior Management Team to shape the future of your role.  You MUST be highly proactive and willing to put in hard work to ensure the success of this crucial role Please apply online today for more information. Please note, should feedback not be received within 28 days due to the large volume of applications, unfortunately your application has been unsuccessful. However, we may be in touch with similar relevant opportunities.

Actuarial Analyst

Buckinghamshire

£Competitive Salary

MERJE are working with a Life Insurance client who are looking to grow their Actuarial function with the addition of a Part Qualified Actuary. You will ideally come from a Life Insurance background and be making good progress with your exams or have sufficient Life experience. The role will be varied and given you a broad exposure of a Life function. Working alongside the wider team, but also having the potential to take a lead role, you’ll be involved in some of the following; Solvency II reviews and valuations Capital Projections / Capital Planning / Capital Management Investment strategy / ALM Development of Actuarial models. Pricing The ideal Candidate: Academics within Actuarial / Financial / Mathematics and making progress with Actuarial exams. Working experience in the Life Insurance industry Demonstrable working experience with Solvency II Strong stakeholder engagements skills Ability to work independently as well as part of a team. This opportunity will be office based once appropriate to do so but will have aspects of flexible working. Actuarial study support available.  

Risk Actuary / Senior Financial Risk Analyst

London

£Competitive Salary

MERJE are working with a General Insurance client grow their Risk and Actuarial function. This client has reviewed it’s Actuarial and Risk capability and is looking for a Nearly Qualified Actuary to join the team to continue and drive this development. You will have the ability to support various workstreams in the long run. The initial capability will be to support the Internal Model Approval Process (IMAP) and the validation of the model so it meets requirements for submission. The Capital Management of the business is an important driver. You will then provide insight to the model for the wider 2nd line risk function. Long term, this opportunity offers great career progression for the right individual who wants to apply themselves across all aspects of finance / risk / actuarial. You will have the chance to have review risk exposures to Pricing, Reserving, Reinsurance to name a few. The ideal Candidate: Experience in a General Insurance company in an Actuarial or Risk related role. Understanding of Capital / Model Validation / IMAP Making progress with the Actuarial exams, around the nearly Qualified level. (Not essential if working experience is equivalent). Interest in wider Risk and Actuarial capabilities Strong stakeholder communication skills, internally and with external regulators A passion to join a function that’s growing in size and structure, being a lead individual in this transformation. Actuarial study support available should candidates need this. Remote and flexible working arrangements are available. This company encourages a great culture around working from home. Please note, should feedback not be received within 28 days due to the large volume of applications, unfortunately your application has been unsuccessful. However, we may be in touch with similar relevant opportunities.

Pricing & Data Science Actuary

London

Competitive Salary

MERJE are partnering with an exciting Insurtech start-up, supporting their growth plans in the Actuarial Pricing and Data Science remit. This unique opportunity allows the incumbent to be integral in the technical pricing and model development work, as well as showcase their client facing skills when supporting external clients. This is an integral role within the business that involves collaboration with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.   For this role you will have both a General Insurance Pricing Actuarial background, alongside a strong understanding of Data Science techniques such as Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence within predictive analytics. Ideally, you’re GI experience is within P&C and commercial business, personal lines will also be considered.   Experienced Actuary – Newly or Qualified P&C Pricing (or personal lines) Knowledge and interest in Machine Learning, Data Science softwares, Artificial Intelligence Interested in non-traditional Actuarial Strong client engagement and communication skills Desire to be an integral part of an Insurtech start-up company.   Please note, should feedback not be received within 28 days due to the large volume of applications, unfortunately your application has been unsuccessful. However, we may be in touch with similar relevant opportunities.  

Capital Actuary – General Insurance

London

£70,000 - £80,000

MERJE are working with a General Insurer to support their Capital function with the hire of a Capital Modelling Actuary. You will be tasked with supporting the developments around the Internal Model with the IMAP due for submission in the coming months. In addition, you’ll support model validation, model parameterisation and Solvency II reporting structures.   What we need from you: Qualified Actuary or equivalent experience General Insurance and Capital background Supported IMAP / Capital Management / model validation related projects Familiarity with Igloo / Tyche / Remetrica Demonstrable experience with working alongside other functions (risk/compliance/finance) Remote and flexible working arrangements are available. This company encourages a great culture around working from home. Please note, should feedback not be received within 28 days due to the large volume of applications, unfortunately your application has been unsuccessful. However, we may be in touch with similar relevant opportunities.

Qualified Actuary – Pricing/Data Science

London

£Competitive Salary

MERJE are partnering with a General Insurance client in their search for a Senior Pricing Actuary. You will be a lead driver in the pricing strategy, optimisation and development using advanced techniques that bridge in to Machine Learning and Data Science. As a Senior/Qualified Actuary, you will combine your technical GI product and pricing knowledge to encompass new and evolving softwares and techniques. The ideal Candidate: Qualified Actuary – FIA/FFA (candidate qualified by experience will also be considered) General Insurance and Pricing expertise Strong capability of Pricing modelling techniques. Working familiarity of Emblem/Radar/SQL and other similar softwares Interest and knowledge in evolving Data Science / Machine Learning / Artificial Intelligence. Stakeholder management/engagement skills – ability to collaborate with Analytics and Data Science teams.   Please note, should feedback not be received within 28 days due to the large volume of applications, unfortunately your application has been unsuccessful. However, we may be in touch with similar relevant opportunities.  

Nearly/Newly Qualified Pensions Actuary

Bristol

£40,000 - £60,000

MERJE are partnering with a Pensions client to support the hire of an Actuary around the Nearly/Newly Qualified level (or equivalent experience). The role will be centred around Defined Benefit (DB) and will be a client facing role facing a variety of projects. The ideal Candidate: Making strong progress or completed the Actuarial exams (FIA or equivalent). Strong UK pensions and regulatory knowledge Pensions experience, Defined Benefit preferred. Consultancy experience desired, but not essential. Strong interpersonal and stakeholder management skills. Proactive, team player with the ability to challenge and drive other team members. Please note, should feedback not be received within 28 days due to the large volume of applications, unfortunately your application has been unsuccessful. However, we may be in touch with similar relevant opportunities.              

Reserving Actuary

London

£65,000 - £75,000

MERJE are working with a General Insurance client who are looking for a nearly/newly Qualified Reserving Actuary. The nature of the role will be to support with the reserve reviews using various actuarial techniques with a focus on monthly reserving. You will be tasked with ensuring support is provided on various reserving projects and that continuous improvements are made to the accuracy of reserves. The ideal Candidate: Nearly/Newly Qualified Actuary – or equivalent experience. Specific experience in General Insurance & Reserving. Familiar with ResQ SAS / SQL / VBA knowledge. Desire to manage/mentor junior Actuaries or analysts. Please note, should feedback not be received within 28 days due to the large volume of applications, unfortunately your application has been unsuccessful. However, we may be in touch with similar relevant opportunities.

Head of Product - Fraud 14 month fixed term contract

London

£55k plus market leading benefits

Our client is a not-for-profit fraud prevention organisation and currently the UK’s leading fraud prevention service, with a database sharing information between members across sectors.   This role is a 14 month fixed term contract covering maternity leave and they will be looking for someone to enhance, develop and drive forward their product offerings across data, intelligence and learning. You will lead product development and deliver strategic objectives.     Skills & Competencies Demonstrable experience in end-to-end product management acting as product owner with experience of leading a product team function either directly or in a matrix. Proven experience in Product Management, Product Marketing (in a Product function) or Product Delivery. Thorough understanding of product development in an agile environment ideally in B2B services, operating multiple product lines and families. Skilled in authentically building credibility, trust and influence at all levels. Strong commercial acumen and stakeholder management skills, and skilled in managing multiple projects to drive innovation.  Strategic professional adept in engaging C-Suite and above (e.g., generating innovative ideas and new use cases for growth) and at the tactical level (e.g., product readiness and sales enablement). Previous knowledge of Financial crime, Fraud prevention or the Digital Identity markets, advantageous. Proven ability to manage a lead of team of product specialists and drive consistent high performance. Strong collaborator who values input from colleagues for greater business success; works to improve self and team effectiveness.  Able to empathise and bring solutions when faced with challenges, values honesty and integrity in their interaction with others. Proactive, natural problem solver who sees the bigger picture, whilst operating with a level of autonomy. Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to forge strong working relationships across teams. Demonstrable experience of effectively motivating and inspiring staff, focusing them on successful outcomes   Please note, should you not receive feedback 28 days, unfortunately your application has been unsuccessful. However, we may be in touch with similar relevant opportunities.

Technical Services & Research

Leeds

c. £45,000 + Benefits

To assist in delivering a comprehensive suite of technical support services to the Financial Advisers of the business. Key responsibilities include: To deliver technical guidance and provision of product research via the helpdesk covering all areas of financial planning To design, implement and maintain the company’s suite of factfinds and suitability templates Communicate with advisers via the phone, in writing and occasionally face to face. To answer helpdesk queries or emails within SLAs and in a professional manner at all times To undertake ongoing reviews of company product panels To maintain internal audit trail of all panel areas To review off panel/specialist requests submitted by advisers within SLA Maintain proactive dialogue with product/fund providers and third parties, identifying new ideas and market themes. Monitor and research technical and product market developments to refine our processes and inform advisers The Person: Qualified to QCF4 as a minimum and ideally hold AF7 or equivalent Experience in a paraplanning, compliance or similar role preferable. Experience of using industry standard adviser business systems such as Intelligence Office, Dynamic Planner, Defaqto Engage, O&M Pensions, Selectapension, AssureWeb, Trigold, Iress, Financial Express etc. Please note, should feedback not be received within 28 days due to the large volume of applications, unfortunately your application has been unsuccessful. However, we may be in touch with similar relevant opportunities.

Head of Customer Success

London

£70,000 - £80,000

As Head of Customer Success you will be responsible for turning customers into ambassadors, making their partner of choice to support their independent workers. To do so you will lead our account management and customer support functions, helping drive revenue and growth for the business. Responsibilities Lead, nurture and grow our account management and customer support teams. Own the strategy to drive revenue and growth across our existing customers, including policy retention, cross sale of products and increasing user numbers. Lead on our account management for our key enterprise customers, ensuring we over deliver and expand our relationship with them. Lead, build and implement the infrastructure, processes and playbook to enable effective and efficient delivery at scale across account management and customer support. Identify, test and help build the business case for potential product and service improvements by ensuring we listen to our customers. Monitor customer / account portfolio performance and provide internal forecasts and reports. Lead and deliver timely external customer reporting which deliver valuable insight for our customers. Work closely with your counterparts in Sales and Marketing to deliver the best experience to our customers and performance to the business. Key responsibilities include: You have proven experience in account management and customer support, including at an enterprise level. You have a track record of expanding client programmes through upsell and cross-sell, driving growth for the business. You have experience of growing account management and customer support teams to deliver at scale. You are commercially minded, with a good grasp of growth levers and experience in negotiating commercials. You are consultative in your approach with customers and a natural relationship builder. You can anticipate opportunities and solve problems and resolve issues at pace. You enjoy leading and nurturing a team, helping individuals to grow and deliver their best work. You have an incredible amount of drive, integrity and passion for our mission. Ideally you will have prior experience in insurance and/or working for an on-demand platform

Underwriting Manager – Retail Banking / Lending - Remote

Essex

£40,000 - £50,000 plus benefits

A growing Building Society is looking for a motivated Underwriting Manager to lead their Underwriting operations. Managing a team of 4 and reporting directly to the CRO, you will take full ownership of the underwriting and complaints processes and a big part of your remit will be to lead and motivate the team to drive a positive customer outcome. Note: The business is really flexible with your working arrangement. Should you wish to come back into the office post-Covid, the door is open. Should you decide that you working from home has significantly improved your quality of life, then you can do that. Should you choose to work remotely, you will only have to come into the office in Essex once or twice a month. Some of your key responsibilities will be: Lead, manage and motivate the team to ensure SLA's & KPI's are achieved on a daily, weekly & monthly basis while maintaining quality in both decisions and process in line with the company's risk appetite Underwrite and decision mortgage applications ensuring exceptional customer service delivery, whilst complying with all regulatory and conduct risk in adherence to lending policy and ensuring fair outcomes for customers Undertake first line of defence checking and report results to the CRO Provide SME underwriting knowledge for the team with regard to Lending Policy & Procedures. Act as a point of expertise to the team, advising on technical, product, policy, procedural and intermediary issues Proactively identify, manage and support departmental improvement & change to reduce processing times, improve service while ensuring quality of decision making while working with Key Stakeholders. Support the team needing higher mandate approval and underwriting when required Authorising within own approved mandate mortgage advances or preparing cases for referral to Credit Committee for approval. Production and sign off of mortgage offers for lending within mandate once full supporting documentation is in place. Deliver effective performance management across the whole team to include documented 121's & team meetings on a regular basis Accountable for first line of defence maintaining Quality Assurance framework and records Maintain an up to date working knowledge of products and policies, and assist in implementing changes in line with our risk appetite Take individual responsibility to remain well informed of regulatory, legal and market trends. Ensure self and team comply with all relevant Society and regulatory obligations. Assist in the continued improvement of the originations system, processes and procedures Ensure that all complaints are handled in accordance with the Complaints Handling Procedures referring to appropriate departments as and when appropriate delivery of any changes to the system or processes Ensure responsibilities regarding Treating Customers Fairly, the Prevention of Financial Crime (including AML, identification and reporting of fraud) and responsible lending are carried out effectively and in accordance with the Company's policies Growing knowledge of mortgage product and bespoke underwriting capability with an emphasis on understanding all products and criteria Self-Management and Control You will likely: Be an analytical thinker who can quickly identify problems and has unwavering attention to detail Have some relevant experience in similar lending/retail banking environments Have the ability to analyse complex financial statements and are able to manage systems that drive lending decisions You are a team player and comfortable leading and motivating a team day in day out