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Top Insider Advice

I was once told your network is not everyone you know but instead everyone you have helped as these are the people who are likely to help you when need be. This was excellent advice. Always help others when you have the capacity to do so, of course your day job still must be done also which is where this can get challenging but also doable! It is often tasks outside of my job description I find rewarding. On top of this it is great for both personal and career development to work across different functions when given the opportunity.

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Career path

Commercial Manager Ireland

Phoenix Group

From 05/2023 to 12/2024

Pricing Actuary, Commercial Team

Phoenix Group

From 11/2020 to 05/2023

Reporting Actuary

Phoenix Group

From 12/2019 to 11/2020

Company

What do you like about your job and the company?

The dynamic nature of a Commercial role in any organisation allows day to day work life to be kept interesting, no two days are the same and there are always new projects to get involved in. It is a perfect role to get an overall view of the business and considerations that are applied in decision making – I love this as it lets me see the bigger picture. In a Commercial role we never forget about the policyholder, they are central to our decisions, without the policyholders we would have no business therefore it is vital to have them at the forefront of decision making. The role itself is a collaborative role, working with key stakeholders throughout the Phoenix Group. This allows me to build relationships across all areas of the business which definitely is the highlight of the role for me!

Greatest achievements

Other insiders

Alexis A

Lead Business Analyst

Top Insider Advice

I started as a Pensions Administrator when I first joined the company. Since then, I have worked in Finance, Mortgages, Testing and then onto Analysis where I became a Lead managing others to develop in their role. The company is large, and opportunities are presented regularly to allow you to try out jobs you may have an interest in until you find the right job for you. The company also supports staff in life changing events allowing me to go part time and then when the kids are older to increase my hours to ensure I have the right work life balance.

Stuart T

Operational Governance and Risk Consultant

Top Insider Advice

When i joined the first financial institution i worked for, initially working in customer services, i had two goals in mind: 1. I knew Customer Services was not for me long-term, and i wanted to move to a more admin based role as soon as possible. I achieved this within a year of joining the first financial institution i worked for. 2. Standard Life had a great reputation and were well known in the City i worked in as being a great place to work. When i took my first job in financial services my goal was to ultimately join Standard Life but i knew i required some experience in the industry before doing so. After two years in Financial Services i successfully applied for my first role at Standard Life. This was a great decision for my career and i remain at Standard Life/Phoenix to this day, many years later.

Simon I

Facilities Project Manager

Top Insider Advice

Always have a career plan, no matter how vague and set your self targets/goals that you want. Be flexible though, as sometimes you may need to take an indirect route to get to your next goal. Opportunities will come along that might not be an exact fit to the plan, sometimes you will use your head and other times your heart to choose whether to take up an opportunity but keep the plan in the back of your mind at all times. Its good to always consult your friends or colleagues, be prepared to be challenged, embrace this though, do not fight it. You should always listen and take account of both sides an argument, that way you can make and take informed decisions and actions. No such thing as failure and do not be afraid to make mistakes, no matter how careful you are, they will happen, so don't stress it, use that energy for getting things done. When mistakes do happen, own them, be accountable and learn from them. Your mistakes and those made by others are all part of what makes you. They are as important was your successes and make sure you add them to your building experience and knowledge. These lessons can be applied anywhere and will increase your personal resilience. You own your career, no one else, take those opportunities that fit.

Discussions with Grainne M
What advice would you give to a recent graduate looking to start an actuarial career?
in Career Tips·Tuesday, April 30, 2024
1 response
29 views
What are, in your opinion, the main advantages of working here?
in Career Tips·Monday, November 21, 2022
Picture of Tim
2 responses
209 views
Is there one thing you wish you'd known before you applied?
in Career Tips·Tuesday, January 7, 2025
1 response
13 views
How do you keep motivated in your career?
in Career progression·Tuesday, February 13, 2024
Picture of Alexis
2 responses
29 views