We are currently recruiting a Research & Content Lead for a Permanent contract.
This role is hybrid, both working from home and in our London hub.
We encourage our colleagues to work flexibly between home and the hub to suit their needs and preferences, in line with our hybrid working policy.
Colleagues are able to work their hours flexibly, in line with core business hours and requirements. We also offer formalised flexible working agreements.
The starting salary is £57,760 per annum.
To apply, please send a CV and cover letter to HRsupport@actuaries.org.uk by the closing date of Monday 17 August.
Purpose of Job
The Research & Content Lead is responsible for shaping and delivering the institute's member and volunteer-led content and research agenda and plan, to strengthen the global member value proposition and reinforce the institute's authority, relevance and impact.
The role leads the development and execution of an integrated content, research and knowledge plan – ensuring that insight, research and professional content are high quality, strategically aligned, delivered to budget and responsive to member and market needs. Working closely with volunteer groups, subject matter experts and internal stakeholders, the postholder ensures that research and content activity supports member engagement, thought and practice leadership and the institute's wider strategic priorities.
Principal Accountabilities

• Manage the delivery of the IFoA's volunteer-led research and content plan and information services, supporting IFoA strategic objectives and delivering a strong content-led member value proposition to drive member engagement, satisfaction and retention.
• Lead the delivery and publication of the British Actuarial Journal (BAJ), Annals of Actuarial Science (AAS) and Longevity Bulletin, overseeing their strategic direction to ensure impact, quality and relevance.
• Support the BAJ and AAS editorial boards and the Publications Committee, monitoring governance processes to ensure they are fit for purpose and aligned to the delivery of two world-class journals.
• Own the actuarial content taxonomy and oversee its application in the curation of IFoA material, ensuring future accessibility through a digital-first approach.
• Lead the volunteer-led collaborative research plan and activities, managing end-to-end processes from planning and calls for research through to reporting, and overseeing an effective submission process for research funding.
• Ensure close collaboration with volunteer committees, panels, working groups and subject experts to co-create high-value outputs that are well-structured, supported and aligned to agreed objectives, timelines and quality standards.
• Manage the volunteer-led research and journals budgets, including budget planning, monitoring and authorising spending within delegated limits to ensure strong return on investment.
• Collaborate with brand, marketing and communications colleagues on the integration, promotion and amplification of research and content outputs within the member value proposition and communications calendar.
• Build and maintain relationships with the wider actuarial community, counterpart organisations and universities to improve service, share knowledge and raise the profile of the IFoA.
• Ensure effective management of the IFoA's heritage collections to preserve the unique history of the IFoA for current and future generations.
• Lead, manage and develop the Communities Research team, developing robust management information and reporting on research and content plans, performance and budgets to executive level and volunteer leaders.
  

Essential
Knowledge and Experience

• Proven track record of managing knowledge and content propositions and services.
• Experience of managing and developing teams, with the ability to prioritise own and others' workloads.
• Delivery mindset with experience driving matrix and cross-departmental activities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong stakeholder management skills.
• Experience of managing budgets.
  

Desirable

• Experience of providing knowledge support in a research environment
• Experience of working in a relevant field such as member services, finance or education
• Experience in academic publishing or journals
• Experience working with volunteer-led groups, boards and committees
• Experience in producing management information and board reports
• Professional qualification in content and information management or equivalent.
  

Decision-Making and Complexity
The post holder has authority to make decisions within overall objectives, including allocation of resources and operational priorities within the team, within budget parameters. They are responsible for the business requirements of library and publication contracts and for recruitment and management of key volunteers to support the different volunteer groups and committees within the scope of the team. Decisions are likely to have long-term implications.
The role requires an understanding of actuarial science and the various areas of professional actuarial practice, as well as the interconnections between different executive teams and volunteer groups. The postholder must keep up to date with advances in information and knowledge management and developments in the scholarly publishing environment, and anticipate risks and issues in advance.
Alternative format and adjustments
Please Email The HR Team If You Require
any information regarding our vacancies in an alternative format
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Any information shared will be used only to enable us to make reasonable adjustments to support candidates to participate in the recruitment process. It will not inform selection decisions.
You can reach us at HRsupport@actuaries.org.uk.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion
The IFoA encourages applicants from a variety of backgrounds and experience and welcomes diversity with regard not only to protected characteristics but also diversity of thought. Diversity, equity and inclusion are more than just words for us. That’s why we are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels included and respected, and where no one is unfairly discriminated against. Consequently, we promote diversity, equity and inclusion in all our policies, practices and procedures, and actively encourage applications from a diverse range of potential candidates. All applications for our roles are considered on merit alone, and if you don’t meet all the criteria but believe you have something to offer, we want to hear from you. For more information on our commitments, please see our DEI strategy page.