Financial Strategy Analyst

FSG Analyst
Graduate programme 2012

Mercer’s Financial Strategy Group specialises in delivering strategic financial consulting advice to pension sponsors, fiduciaries and managers. It works with clients to help them achieve their own unique risk management objectives, by delivering advice on pensions risk assessment, management and reduction, and integrates the pension solution within the client’s overall financial strategy.

Our multi-disciplinary team brings together strong capital markets expertise with traditional actuarial and investment consulting, to provide the integrated approach to pension cost and risk management demanded by our clients. This allows the advice to encompass holistic solutions, taking into account financial goals, risk appetite, investment strategy, funding, benefits and accounting.

Our size and global presence enable us to invest in unsurpassed intellectual capital and research and development in our analytical tools to assist the consulting delivery.

As an analyst joining the FSG you will work as part of a team supporting more experienced analysts and consultants in a wide range of pension risk consultancy projects for both trustee and corporate clients.  You will help to develop and deliver customised solutions and advice for risk management and reduction for pension schemes. You will use your drive, strong analytical and communication skills to achieve client goals on budget, within given timeframes and to a high standard of excellence.

You will study towards the actuarial (through the exams run by the Institute/Faculty of Actuaries) and/or the Chartered Financial Analyst ("CFA") qualification (through the exams run by the CFA Institute).  In addition you will study for the Investment Management Certificate. Mercer provides a study package to support you in all your studies and gaining your professional qualification.

As you develop your skills and knowledge, you will take on additional responsibility and you will have the opportunity to hone expertise and learn from other as you build a platform for career growth.

Key duties include:

• Assists more senior analysts in producing numerical and qualitative analysis in relation to pension risk advice for specific client situations
• Works with spreadsheets and various modelling tools to produce detailed numerical analysis of client's risk profile and the impact of risk on key financial metrics
• Assists more senior analysts and consultants to adapt technical modelling tools for specific client situations and deals with technical queries on the modelling methods and tools used
• Drafts client documents and presentations that communicate the analysis, key issues, conclusions and recommendations for specific client situations
• Works with other Mercer business lines to deliver a streamlined service to clients
• Ensures that all professionalism and compliance processes are understood and followed

Qualifications

• A sound mathematical background is essential
• A minimum of 300 UCAS points, A level Mathematics at grade B or above with a minimum 2:1 honours degree expected or obtained in any degree discipline.  Equivalent qualifications are accepted
• Good analytical skills and ability to work through tasks in a logical manner
• Ability to work as part of a team and build strong relationships with peers, colleagues and other Mercer businesses
• Able to take ownership for work, ensuring standards and deadlines are met and keeping others informed and up-to-date
• Able to work well under pressure, with the ability to prioritise and manage multiple tasks
• Self motivated, with an eagerness to learn and to keep up-to-date with the market and developments in the pension and investment industry
• Ability to balance work, study and personal life effectively
• Excellent interpersonal skills; strong oral and written communication skills

Mercer is regulated by the Financial Services Authority and is Investor In People accredited.