Lead Associate (Actuarial Retirement)

Description

As a Senior Analyst or Lead Associate in the Retirement Consulting business in India, you will be an integral part of project teams conducting and reviewing actuarial valuations of employee benefit provisions for corporate clients.

Additionally, you will contribute to special projects involving the design, strategy, and implementation of broader employee benefit plans. Your clients will include both subsidiaries of global corporations and large Indian enterprises, offering exposure to diverse business environments and regulatory frameworks.

You will work closely with senior consultants and experienced actuaries, who will mentor and guide you—enhancing your technical expertise, deepening your understanding of employee benefits, and honing your client-facing and consulting skills.

This role provides a dynamic learning experience, equipping you with the knowledge and skills to navigate complex actuarial challenges and deliver impactful solutions in the evolving employee benefits landscape.

THE ROLE

The complexity, costs, and risks associated with employee benefits pose an increasing threat to business performance. Yet competitive and well-structured benefits remain crucial for attracting, retaining, and engaging top talent.

As the #1 Retirement Consulting Brand in India, Willis Towers Watson helps organizations develop enterprise-wide strategies for optimizing employee benefits—balancing cost efficiency with employee needs.

Our Retirement team has deep expertise in actuarial valuations, benefit design, and regulatory consulting. We work closely with corporate clients, regulators, and government bodies, shaping the future of retirement and social security in India.

This role presents a unique opportunity to work alongside experienced client-facing consultants and India's largest team of qualified actuaries.

Role Overview:

As a Senior Actuarial Analyst, you will play a key role in delivering actuarial and retirement consulting solutions to corporate clients. Your responsibilities will include:

• Actuarial Valuations & Financial Reporting: Conduct and review actuarial valuations for employee benefits under relevant Indian and international accounting standards, including Gratuity, Leave Encashment, Long term awards, Provident Fund, Pension, and Post-Retirement Medical.
• Plan Design & Cost Modelling: Advise companies on optimal employee retirement plan structures by modelling future costs, conducting risk assessments, and benchmarking against industry best practices.
• Strategic Advisory & Transactions: Support Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) due diligence by assessing employee benefit liabilities and integrating retirement plans post-merger.
• Client & Stakeholder Collaboration: Work closely with clients, internal stakeholders, and cross-functional teams to deliver high-impact solutions that align with business objectives.
• Process Improvement & Automation: Identify opportunities to streamline actuarial processes, improve modelling techniques, and leverage technology for enhanced efficiency.

Performance Objectives

• Work on all stages of an actuarial valuation—from validating data received from the client to liability calculation and reporting results to the client in the form of actuarial reports.
• Switch between a doer and a reviewer depending on the needs of a project.
• Liaise and coordinate with clients, including face-to-face client meetings.
• Gain a deep understanding of the Indian and International accounting standards and technical aspects associated with benefits consulting in India.
• Manage medium to large-sized clients independently—creating project plans and monitoring progress to deadlines and budget.
• Ensure appropriate and effective communication with clients and internal team members.

Excellence

• Work collaboratively with colleagues and consultants to meet client expectations.
• Solid technical abilities in Excel and PowerPoint.
• Increase efficiency within client teams by identifying ways to improve processes.
• Develop a strong understanding of the retirement benefit plans and industry.
• Seek and participate in key learning and development opportunities.
• Manage time effectively between multiple assignments.
• Adhere to all predefined steps while carrying out work, ensuring quality standards.

People

• Build strong relationships internally and collaborate effectively on cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrate natural ease and effectiveness when dealing with clients and colleagues at all levels.
• Conduct technical training for junior analysts and interns.

Financials

• Meet individual chargeable hours targets.

Qualifications

The Requirements

• Experience working in the Pension and Employee Benefit domain (preferably in the Indian market).
• Bachelor’s degree in Commerce, Economics, Mathematics, Statistics, Business, Engineering, or an analytical subject.
• Pursuing actuarial science and relevant actuarial papers.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and time effectively.
• Good analytical and research capabilities with the ability to challenge conventional thinking.
• Self-driven achiever with a value for teamwork, collaboration, decisiveness, and integrity.
• Proactive approach to meeting clients’ needs.
• Ability to see the big picture beyond the details.
• Excellent Microsoft Office skills, particularly in Excel and PowerPoint.
• Ability to respond to all communications effectively and in a timely manner.

Flexibility and proven ability to identify and resolve issues.

Equal Opportunity Employer