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- Tasks: Gain hands-on experience in financial services with a focus on operations and asset management.
- Company: Join Standard Life, a leading financial services provider with a supportive culture.
- Benefits: Earn £24,492/year, enjoy 38 days holiday, and access private medical insurance.
- Why this job: Kickstart your career with an apprenticeship that offers real-world experience and growth opportunities.
- Qualifications: A-levels or equivalent BTEC required; no prior financial services experience needed.
- Other info: Explore various teams and develop skills in a dynamic, collaborative environment.
The predicted salary is between 24492 - 24492 £ per year.
Application Deadline: 18 May 2026
Department: Various
Employment Type: Apprentice
Location: Birmingham
Compensation: £24,492 / year
Description
Are you finishing school and thinking about what’s next, but not sure where your interests might take you yet? At Standard Life, we’re offering exciting apprenticeship opportunities for people who are curious, motivated, and ready to learn – no previous experience in Financial Services needed. You’ll gain hands‑on experience in our Retirement Solutions and Asset Management operational teams, building practical skills and knowledge that can open doors to a wide range of future careers. If you’re looking for a supportive place to start your working life and grow your confidence in a professional environment, this could be the perfect first step.
About the Role
What is the purpose of the Asset Management (RS&AM) Chief Operating Office (COO)? In Asset Management, we help people grow their savings and plan for the future by investing across a wide range of assets, supporting goals from retirement to long‑term financial security. Behind the scenes, our Chief Operating Office (COO) is the engine that keeps everything running smoothly and safely - designing processes, managing systems, and supporting teams so investments are delivered accurately, responsibly, and on time. This engine is made up of several key areas, which you’ll be exposed to during your apprenticeship:
- Asset Management Operations: Our Collateral Management team ensures financial trades are secure by overseeing the checking, tracking, and control of assets used to mitigate risk, keeping investment processes reliable and well‑governed.
- COO Business Management: Our Business Management team aligns the COO function by coordinating planning, priorities, and senior decision‑making to keep the business running smoothly.
- Technology: Our Technology, Platform Engineering team builds and runs cloud‑based data platforms (i.e. AWS and Snowflake) and coding languages (i.e. Python and SQL); turning data into practical solutions that power the business.
- Policy Holder Operations: Our Policyholder Operations team ensures policyholder funds are managed safely and accurately through activities such as unit pricing, fund accounting, performance reporting, and issue management, delivered through strong controls and collaboration.
- Clients Services: Our Client Services team looks after our customers with care and attention, managing their funds accurately, keeping information clear, and always working to achieve the best outcomes and value for their investments.
- Compliance: The Investment Compliance team acts as the first line of defence, ensuring investment decisions are responsible, well‑controlled, and compliant with regulations across Retirement Solutions & Asset Management.
What our Apprenticeship offers:
Each apprentice will have a home role in one of the five teams outlined above, where you’ll spend the full two years building skills, confidence, and experience in a supportive environment. Alongside this, you’ll have the opportunity to take part in shorter ‘Gigs’ across the COO function and the wider Asset Management team. These experiences are designed to help you explore different areas of the business, meet new people, and broaden your understanding of the industry. This apprenticeship is a chance to learn by doing, develop skills that will support your future career, and gain a real insight into how a large financial services organisation works. You’ll be supported throughout your journey, encouraged to ask questions, and given opportunities to grow at a pace that’s right for you - making this a great first step into the world of work!
What are we looking for?
Apprenticeship Standard Current or recent school leavers, who have completed A-level or equivalent i.e. BTEC and are looking for a Level 3 AI and Data Foundations Apprenticeship (2 years) with opportunity to progress further. You will be fully funded and supported in your apprenticeship and will have 1 day a week away from work dedicated to your learning.
Qualification Criteria:
- 3 A levels or equivalent BTEC
- 5 GCSEs with grades 9 to 4, including a minimum of English at Grade 5 and Maths at Grade 6.
Our next Apprentice:
We’re looking for motivated, curious people who are keen to learn and ready to succeed - no previous financial services experience needed. This role would suit you if you:
- Bring a positive, professional attitude and take pride in what you do
- Are curious, keen to learn and develop, including building communication, negotiation, and problem‑solving skills over time
- Are open to learning from feedback, using guidance and support to keep improving
- Enjoy working with people and being part of a collaborative team; experience in retail, hospitality, or customer‑facing roles is a real plus
- Have good attention to detail and like working accurately
- Are organised and able to balance work and study during the apprenticeship
- Show ambition, enthusiasm, and a willingness to try new things and build confidence as you learn
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences. You don’t need to meet every point above to apply - if you bring commitment, curiosity, and a willingness to learn, we’ll support you to build the skills and confidence you need to succeed. We want to hire the whole version of you. We are committed to ensuring that everyone feels accepted and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. If your experience looks different from what we’ve advertised and you believe that you can bring value to the role, we’d love to hear from you. If you require any adjustments to the recruitment process, please let us know so we can help you to be at your best. We’re reviewing applications as they come in, so apply early to avoid missing out.
Salary and Benefits:
- £24,492 per year + discretionary bonus
- Excellent pension scheme
- Private medical insurance
- Electric vehicle scheme
- 38 days holiday incl. Bank Holidays
- Plus 12x salary life assurance
- Career breaks
- Income protection
- 3x volunteering days and much more!
Standard Life Operations Apprentice 2026 in Birmingham employer: Acrobat Talent
Contact Detail:
Acrobat Talent Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Standard Life Operations Apprentice 2026 in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with current apprentices or employees at Standard Life. Building relationships can give you insider info and even lead to job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios related to the role. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or family to boost your confidence and get feedback on your answers.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your enthusiasm! When you get the chance to speak with recruiters or during interviews, let your passion for learning and growing in the financial services sector shine through. It can really set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, you’ll find all the latest updates and tips on landing that apprenticeship with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Standard Life Operations Apprentice 2026 in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself: When you're writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to get to know the real you, so don’t be afraid to show your enthusiasm and curiosity about the role.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application for the Standard Life Operations Apprentice role. Highlight any relevant skills or experiences that align with what we’re looking for, like teamwork or problem-solving.
Proofread, Proofread, Proofread!: Before hitting send, give your application a good once-over. Typos and errors can distract from your message, so take the time to ensure everything is clear and polished. We appreciate attention to detail!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Acrobat Talent
✨Research the Company
Before your interview, take some time to learn about Standard Life and its operations. Understand their values, mission, and the specific teams you might be working with. This will not only help you answer questions more effectively but also show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Prepare Your Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the apprenticeship, the teams, and the company culture. This demonstrates your curiosity and eagerness to learn, which is exactly what they’re looking for in an apprentice.
✨Showcase Your Soft Skills
Since this role values communication, teamwork, and problem-solving, think of examples from your past experiences (like school projects or part-time jobs) that highlight these skills. Be ready to discuss how you’ve worked collaboratively and tackled challenges.
✨Practice Common Interview Questions
Familiarise yourself with common interview questions, especially those related to motivation and learning. Practising your responses can help you feel more confident and articulate during the actual interview, making a great impression on the interviewers.