We’re 1st Central, a market-leading insurance company utilising smart data and technology at pace. Rapid growth has been based on giving our 1.4 million customers exactly what they want: great value insurance with an excellent service. And that’s the same for our colleagues too; we won Insurance Employer of the Year at the British Insurance Awards 2024 and our Glassdoor score is pretty mega too!
Join 1st Central as a Lead Finance Solutions Developer
We're seeking a highly skilled Lead Finance Solutions Developer to join us on a 12‑month Fixed Term Contract, responsible for connecting finance, data engineering and actuarial analytics to deliver robust, insight‑driven solutions.
If you’re passionate about delivering high-quality, scalable data solutions to support business-critical decisions, and you enjoy working across multidisciplinary teams, this could be the perfect role for you. You'll play a key role in designing and maintaining data pipelines and tools that enable complex financial and actuarial modelling, reporting, and insight.
We’re big on flexibility. Our teams are based across Salford Quays, Manchester and Haywards Heath in West Sussex, and we primarily work from home. We value collaboration, so we like to get together in person to keep ideas flowing. For candidates based near one of our offices, we typically come together around once a week. If you’re further afield, we’re open to remote working, as long as you’re UK‑based — in that case, we’d ask you to join us in person once a month or quarterly to stay connected and maintain those all‑important face‑to‑face moments. Prefer being in the office more often? That works for us too.
We’re looking for someone who has:
- Strong Stakeholder Management and Relationship Building Skills - you’ll excel at collaborating with stakeholders across Finance, Actuarial, and Data Engineering to understand requirements and deliver high-impact data solutions.
- Expertise in Data Engineering and Development - you’ll be comfortable designing, building, and optimising scalable ETL/ELT pipelines using cloud-based technologies and SQL, ensuring data is accessible, accurate, and timely.
- Financial and Actuarial Knowledge - you’ll bring a working understanding of finance and actuarial principles, especially those related to Solvency II, IFRS 17, or GAAP, and how they apply to modelling, reporting, and regulatory compliance.
- Python Proficiency for Advanced Analytics - you’ll use SQL/Python to develop scripts for automation, data transformation, and analytics - enabling everything from reserves analysis to forecast simulations.
What’s involved:
- You’ll collate data from financial systems (Workday) and actuarial into centralised data platforms.
- You’ll collaborate with actuaries and finance professionals to understand model inputs, assumptions, and outputs.
- You’ll develop and maintain SQL/Python scripts for data transformation, automation, and advanced analytics (e.g., reserves analysis, forecast simulations).
- You’ll create and maintain relational and dimensional data models to support actuarial and financial reporting.
- You’ll ensure data quality and consistency across finance and actuarial models; implement validation controls and reconciliation processes.
- You’ll support regulatory and statutory reporting (e.g., Solvency II, IFRS 17, GAAP), ensuring timely and accurate delivery.
- You’ll build reporting tools and dashboards (using Python, Power BI, etc.) for stakeholders to analyse key financial and actuarial metrics.
- You’ll collaborate on model development, testing, and deployment into production environments.
- You’ll maintain robust documentation and version control for models, pipelines, and processes.
- You’ll comply with the requirements, and act in accordance with, the Group Code of Conduct and Fitness and Propriety policies at all times.
- You’ll ensure compliance with Company Policies, Values and guidelines and other relevant standards/ regulations at all times
Experience & Knowledge:
- Bachelor’s degree in actuarial science, Finance, Computer Science, Mathematics, or related field.
- Extensive experience in data development, financial modelling, or actuarial systems.
- Experience with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP) and data lakes/warehouses
- Strong SQL skills and experience working with relational databases.
- Familiarity with actuarial models, principles, and data structures (e.g., Actuarial reserving techniques, cashflow projections under Solvency II and IFRS 17) life tables, claims triangles, policy reserves).
- Experience working with actuarial datasets or outputs (e.g., policy data, claims data, assumptions).
Skills:
- Proficient in Microsoft applications, especially Excel
- Familiarity with the broader Workday ecosystem (Financials) and integra tion touchpoints.
- Attention to detail with a focus on data accuracy and model integrity.
- Strong analytical skills and ability to drive process improvement, based upon analysis of data.
- Work effectively under pressure and think clearly and logically in challenging situations.
- Understanding of Finance/actuarial processes and terminology preferrable
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Strong workshop and meeting facilitation skills
- Experienced at building relationships with and managing internal and external stakeholders.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Behaviors:
- Empathetic and collaborative approach, with an ability to get the best out of a wide range of stakeholders.
- Commercially focused and results driven.
- Self-motivated and enthusiastic.
- An organised and pro-active approach.
- Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team.
- A flexible approach and positive attitude.
- Emphasis on attention to detail and accuracy.
- Takes initiative to make decisions.
- Strives to drive business improvements to contribute to the success of the business.
If you enjoy working at the intersection of finance, data and analytics, this is your opportunity to do your best work.
What can we do for you?
People first. Always. We’re passionate about our colleagues and know the best people deserve an extraordinary working environment. We owe it to them so that’s what we offer. Our workplaces are energetic, inspirational, supportive. To get a taste of the advantages you’ll enjoy, take a look at all our perks in full here.
Intrigued? Our Talent team can tell you everything you need to know about what we want and what we’re offering, so feel free to get in touch.