Actuary, Assumption Development

Pacific Life Re; Toronto; On-site; CAD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading actuarial firm in Toronto is seeking a Manager-level actuary to join their R&D team. This role involves developing key actuarial assumptions while collaborating with various teams. Ideal candidates will have great analytical skills, be a qualified actuary, and have experience with pricing and modeling. The position requires presence in the Toronto office 4 days a week by mid-2026, and offers a diverse work environment with a focus on innovation.

Benefits

23 days of annual leave

Generous parental leave

Group Life Insurance

Dental & Optical benefits

Company-matched RRSP contributions

Subsidized gym membership

Qualifications

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Familiarity with experience studies and trend modeling.
• Ability to collaborate and work independently.

Responsibilities

• Develop market-leading assumptions by sourcing data.
• Provide robust challenge to assumptions adopted by Pricing.
• Build relationships with stakeholders across the company.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving abilities

Understanding of Longevity or Protection markets

Competent in SQL, R or Tyche

Knowledge of actuarial techniques

Strong team-working skills

Presentation skills

Ability to work independently

Education

Qualified Fellow of the Institute or Faculty of Actuaries or Society of Actuaries

Job description

Job Title

Actuary, Assumption Development

Job Description

Role Overview

We have an exciting opportunity for a Manager-level actuary with strong technical skills and experience in assumption setting to join the R&D team, reporting into our downtown Toronto office , eventually requiring a 4-day per week in-office presence by mid-2026. This is an exciting time to join as we expand into new markets and strengthen our presence in existing ones across Europe and North America.

In this role, you'll work across both Longevity and Protection markets, giving you diverse exposure and the opportunity to make a real impact. You'll contribute to developing the actuarial bases that set our best estimate assumptions—guiding work from initial data analysis through model fitting, validation, and final approval. Previous experience with actuarial techniques like Generalised Linear Models and Survival models would be an advantage.

You will work closely with other teams including:

• R&D teams including the Medical Analytics, Strategic Analytics teams and R&D teams in other geographies across the Division
• Savings and Retirement and Protection teams inside the Reinsurance Division to support on Pricing and Product developments and to ensure that the assumptions developed meet their needs.

How You'll Help Move Us Forward

• Develop market-leading assumptions by sourcing data, building models, and bringing innovative approaches to assumption setting
• Provide robust challenge to assumptions and approaches adopted by Pricing.
• Build relationships with stakeholders across the company, ensuring alignment and gaining buy-in for technical recommendations.
• Shape the future of actuarial thinking by contributing to research initiatives, thought leadership articles, and building connections with academic institutions.
• Provide guidance and mentoring within the R&D team, ensuring appropriate development for junior team members

Skills & Experience

• Qualified Fellow of the Institute or Faculty of Actuaries or Society of Actuaries or other similar organization.
• Strong analytical skills and problem-solving abilities.
• An understanding of one or more of the markets we operate in (Longevity or Protection reinsurance).
• Familiarity of experience studies, trend modelling, and pricing within the life insurance industry (including reinsurers, insurers and consultancy).
• Competent in using programming languages (e.g. SQL, R or Tyche).
• Knowledge of actuarial techniques such as Generalized Linear Models and Survival Models.
• Places a high value on innovation and continuous improvement .
• Ability to collaborate with strong team-working and interpersonal skills.
• Experience in presenting to varied audiences on technical topics to gain approval.
• Ability to work independently and lead on the work.
• Organized and deadline focused.

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Working For Pacific Life Re

Every person in our global team is valued for the unique qualities they bring to our business and we seek to build their expertise and support their individual ambitions at every step. We work hard and thrive on achievement, but we also know how to have fun and relax too. We regularly host a range of team building days to strengthen our team's connection with each other and reflect on their successes.

Providing employees with a healthy work-life balance is very important to our culture. We have a wide range of employee benefits and we host regular social activities and well being initiatives. We are also committed to supporting our employee's involvement in their communities, by actively fundraising, hosting charity events and overseeing volunteering opportunities.

Benefits

Leave

• 23 days of annual leave (Regular employees) with option to buy or sell more days
• Fertility leave
• Generous parental leave

Healthcare

• Group Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment coverage for all permanent employees
• Dental & Optical benefits

Savings & Retirement

• RRSP: company-matched contributions

Wellness

• Employee and Family Assistance Program
• Subsidized gym membership
• Time off for volunteering
• Charitable matching of employee donations

As part of our commitment to diversity and inclusion, we will provide reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process to ensure equal access to applicants with disabilities. Please contact us about your needs so that we can discuss these with you to make sure that suitable adjustments are made, where possible.

Pacific Life Re Values

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