At a Glance
- Tasks: Support clients with pension administration and ensure timely payments.
- Company: Join Barnett Waddingham, a top-rated professional services consultancy.
- Benefits: Above-average salary, private medical cover, and annual bonuses.
- Why this job: Kickstart your career without university fees and gain a professional qualification.
- Qualifications: A-Level standard or equivalent with strong communication skills.
- Other info: Friendly, inclusive teams with excellent progression opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 800 - 1400 £ per month.
Looking to start your career but do not want to pay university fees? Considering changing your career pathway and want to gain a professional qualification? Then look no further as we have the perfect opportunity for you!
September 2026 start – 18 months programme leading to permanent role.
Friendly supportive inclusive teams to help you succeed.
Above average apprenticeship salary plus competitive discretionary annual bonus and salary review.
Private Medical Cover.
Pension.
Social/sporting groups if you want to take part!
Once you qualify, we offer many progression opportunities with a career to be proud of!
Pension Administration Apprenticeship
Apprenticeship Level: Workplace Pensions Administrator Level 3.
Selection Process: CV / Telephone Interview / Assessment Centre.
Who are we? Barnett Waddingham (part of Howden Employee Benefits) is a leading independent UK professional services consultancy advising on risk, pensions, investment and insurance. With over 1700 people across 11 offices, our core purpose is based around empowering people to secure better futures. We are a sustainable and thriving client and people focussed organisation, committed to doing the right thing.
We are dependent on talented and well-trained employees who enjoy working for a leading organisation and we pride ourselves on being a friendly, supportive and inclusive firm. We have a solid structure in place to ensure you have all the training to start your career. We empower everyone that works for us by educating, inspiring and enabling so that everyone can reach their full potential and grow their career.
As a “Best Companies Top 100 Best Large Companies to work for in the UK” and being recognised as one of the “best places to work in the UK” in 2024, people who join us tend to stay, thriving in a professional learning environment and caring, inclusive, friendly culture.
We understand it can be very daunting either starting your first job after school or college or if you are changing careers. We can help you make that transition; our approachable teams will support you as you not only start your career, but also as you continue to progress among the many pathways we can offer.
What will you do as a Pension Administration Apprentice?
Pension administrators look after pension scheme members and make sure they receive the right pension at the right time and advise them of their rights and benefits to make important decisions about their retirement. Here are just a few of the day-to-day tasks you can be involved in:
- Communicating with clients, their members and advisers via email, letter, and telephone.
- Process client pension payrolls, including calculations of net pay, arranging payments, liaison with tax offices and preparation of year end returns.
- The preparation of computer-generated benefit calculations and related correspondence.
- Attending team meetings to understand the priorities and offering support as required.
- Plus, lots more including interesting project work.
What qualification will I study for?
Working with our training provider, you will study for the Workplace Pensions Administrator Level 3 qualification. The apprentice programme is well structured with the support of a skills coach, friendly mentors, and line managers to ensure you succeed in your role and study. We will also teach you how to use our systems and provide all the pensions knowledge and skills you need to be able to communicate information to members and advise clients.
Can I progress beyond the apprenticeship?
There are lots of career opportunities to explore beyond your apprenticeship. You will be encouraged to continue to study and develop your skills if you wish to do so and many of our apprentices have gone on to more senior roles within Barnett Waddingham.
What do we look for?
We are looking for a friendly customer-focused approach with good attention to detail. You will demonstrate a positive attitude, be organised, have good problem-solving skills and enjoy working with numbers. We are looking for strong communicators with the ability to build effective working relationships with external clients as well as your team members and you will be keen to develop new skills. You could already have some of these skills through any employment (including hospitality/retail work), work experience/volunteering or any hobbies/interests/sports.
Entry requirements
Ideally A-Level standard or equivalent with grade C or higher in 2 or more subjects. You will need a minimum of 5 GCSE’s Grade 4 (C) or equivalent including Maths and English.
Accessibility
We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you require any reasonable adjustments, please do let us know during the recruitment process and we will do our very best to support you.
If you want more information on accessibility, please click here.
Recruitment Process
Please apply with your CV. We will then invite you to a short telephone screen with one of our friendly Early Careers team. Successful candidates will be invited to attend an assessment day or interview in our office. If you would like to ask any questions before applying, please contact the Early Careers team on earlycareers@barnett-waddingham.co.uk and one of the team will get back to you, as we’re happy to answer any questions you might have!
Pension Administrator - Apprentice (Cheltenham) employer: Barnett Waddingham
Contact Detail:
Barnett Waddingham Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Pension Administrator - Apprentice (Cheltenham)
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research Barnett Waddingham and understand their values and culture. This will help you tailor your responses during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Prepare for the telephone interview by rehearsing common questions and answers. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or family to build your confidence and get comfortable with the process.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your skills! During the assessment centre, be ready to demonstrate your problem-solving abilities and teamwork. Bring examples from your past experiences, whether from work, volunteering, or even hobbies, to highlight your strengths.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the role. It’s a great chance to reiterate your interest and remind them why you’d be a fantastic fit for the team.
We think you need these skills to ace Pension Administrator - Apprentice (Cheltenham)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Stellar CV: Your CV is your first impression, so make it count! Highlight any relevant experience, skills, and achievements that showcase your customer-focused approach and attention to detail. Keep it clear and concise – we want to see the best of you!
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send out the same application everywhere. Take a moment to tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and qualities we’re looking for in a Pension Administrator Apprentice. Show us why you’re the perfect fit for our team!
Be Yourself in the Interview: When you get to the telephone interview stage, remember to be yourself! We’re looking for genuine enthusiasm and a positive attitude. Don’t be afraid to share your experiences and how they’ve shaped your desire to join us at Barnett Waddingham.
Ask Questions: We love when candidates ask questions! It shows you’re engaged and interested in the role. Think about what you want to know about the apprenticeship, the team, or the company culture. This is your chance to find out if we’re the right fit for you too!
How to prepare for a job interview at Barnett Waddingham
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand the basics of pension administration. Brush up on key terms and concepts related to pensions, as well as the role's responsibilities. This will show your enthusiasm and readiness to learn.
✨Show Off Your People Skills
Since this role involves communicating with clients and team members, be prepared to demonstrate your customer-focused approach. Think of examples from past experiences where you've successfully interacted with others, whether in work or volunteering.
✨Be Organised and Detail-Oriented
Highlight your organisational skills during the interview. You might want to share how you manage tasks or projects, especially if they involve numbers or data. This is crucial for a role that requires attention to detail in processing pension payrolls.
✨Ask Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the apprenticeship programme and career progression opportunities. This shows your genuine interest in the company and the role, plus it gives you a chance to assess if it's the right fit for you.