Head of Reserving

Admiral Group Plc; Cardiff; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Up to £3,600 of free shares annually

Job summary

Admiral Group plc is seeking a Head of Reserving to lead the UK Reserving function and collaborate with Finance, Claims, Pricing, Reinsurance and Risk teams. You will shape reserving strategy, ensure robust technical provisions, and present insights to senior leadership and Audit Committee.

The role combines actuarial expertise with strategic governance and people leadership to build high-performing teams and influence key business decisions across the group.

Qualifications

• Qualified actuary with proven general insurance reserving experience.
• Experience leading, developing and motivating reserving teams.
• Strong track record in setting or recommending reserves and technical provisions.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end reserving process across motor, household and van portfolios.
• Recommend best estimate reserves to governance committees with clear communication of assumptions.
• Own reserving methodologies, assumptions and expert judgement frameworks.
• Oversee IFRS 17 and Solvency UK provisions.
• Drive improvements to reserving models, methodologies and processes.

Skills

Qualified Actuary

Reserving leadership

IFRS 17 knowledge

Stakeholder management

Education

Actuarial qualification (FIA/CIA/CIA equivalent)

Tools

ResQ or similar reserving software

Data analytics tools

Job description

Flexible working: this role is offered on a hybrid basis, with a blend of home and office working.

Excellent opportunity to join our UK Reserving team here at Admiral Group as Head of Reserving.

This is a high-profile leadership role that combines technical actuarial expertise with strategic influence, governance and people leadership. As Head of Reserving, you will play a key role in shaping reserving strategy across a major insurance business, providing trusted insight to senior leaders, governance committees and colleagues across the wider Group.

If you're passionate about reserving, enjoy developing high-performing teams and want to influence important business decisions, we'd love to hear from you.

About the Role

As Head of Reserving, you will lead the UK Reserving function while providing oversight and challenge across our wider Group insurance businesses. You'll be responsible for ensuring reserves and technical provisions are robust, appropriate and supported by high-quality actuarial analysis.

Working closely with colleagues across Finance, Claims, Pricing, Reinsurance and Risk, you'll provide expert advice on reserving matters, strengthen governance frameworks, drive continuous improvement and help shape the future direction of the function.

What You'll Do

• Lead the end-to-end reserving process across our motor, household and van insurance portfolios.
• Recommend best estimate reserves to governance committees, clearly communicating key assumptions, uncertainties and areas of judgement.
• Own reserving methodologies, assumptions and expert judgement frameworks.
• Oversee the production of IFRS 17 and Solvency UK technical provisions.
• Drive improvements to reserving models, methodologies and processes.
• Champion automation and efficiency across the reserving function.
• Maintain strong reserving governance, controls and documentation.
• Act as the primary contact for auditors and external actuarial reviewers.
• Partner with Risk teams to support reserve validation activities.
• Present reserving insights and recommendations to senior leadership and governance forums, including the Audit Committee.
• Build effective relationships across Finance, Claims, Pricing, Reinsurance and other key business areas.
• Provide oversight, support and constructive challenge to international reserving teams.
• Contribute to wider actuarial and business transformation initiatives.
• Lead, coach and develop a high-performing team, creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.

What You'll Bring

Essential Skills & Experience

• Qualified Actuary.
• Proven experience in general insurance reserving, particularly within Personal Lines.
• Experience leading, developing and motivating reserving teams.
• Strong track record of setting or recommending reserves and technical provisions.
• In-depth knowledge of IFRS 17 and Solvency UK requirements.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts clearly to a range of audiences, including senior leaders and governance committees.
• Strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to build trusted relationships across the business.

Desirable Skills & Experience

• Experience using ResQ or similar reserving software.
• Knowledge of data, analytics and automation tools.
• Experience delivering reserving transformation, process improvement or change initiatives.
• Exposure to working across multiple insurance entities, markets or geographies.

Please note - we may close this vacancy early if we receive lots of applications or business priorities change.

Admiral: Where You Can

We take pride in being a diverse and inclusive business. It's a place where you can Be You, and show up as you are. We’re committed to fostering a people-first culture where everyone is accepted, supported, and empowered to be brilliant. You can, Grow And Progress at a pace and direction that suits you, Make A Difference for our customers and each other, and Share in Our Future with all colleagues eligible for up to £3,600 of free shares each year after one year of service.

Everyone receives 33 days holiday (including bank holidays) when they join us, increasing the longer you stay with us, up to a maximum of 38 days (including bank holidays). You also have the option to buy or sell up to an additional five days of annual leave.

We’re proud of our people-first culture. In fact, we've been recognised as a Great Place to Work for Women, a Great Place to Work for Wellbeing, and an overall Great Place to Work for over 25 years! We’re fully committed to making sure your progression is not slowed or halted by barriers related to race, gender, age, sexuality or any of the protected characteristics.

Our fantastic benefits make sure our colleagues have a great work-life balance; You can view some of our other key benefits here.

Disability Confident Leader

As a Disability Confident Leader, for candidates with a disability or long-term health condition, that opt into the Disability Confident scheme, we’ll invite a fair and proportionate number of applicants that meet the essential requirements of the role to the first stage of our selection process.

If you need any adjustments or support with your application or during the recruitment process, just let us know. Please email [e-mail] or contact us on 07796 039828. This number is dedicated to supporting candidates that require reasonable adjustments or support during the application process.