Operations Associate

Rate: Competitive (subject to experience & interview competencies)

Location: Bristol, BS1

Hours: 35 hours a week (full-time), Monday to Friday, office based

Reporting to: Operations Director

Application Deadline: 24/07/26

Hartley Pensions are looking for a talented, intelligent and exceptionally driven professional to become our Interim – Operations Associate. Working closely with senior management, we are offering a highly unique and professionally rewarding opportunity to provide a vital service to Hartley’s operational function.

This is an ideal opportunity for someone looking to begin their journey as a Chief of Staff or seeking to follow a relatable career path.

Who are Hartley Pensions?

Hartley Pensions are a SIPP and SSAS pensions operator based in central Bristol. Since July 2022, the company has been in a trading administration. Under the administration of UHY Hacker Young, Hartley Pensions continues to operate an essential service to clients whilst preparing to transfer members to new UK-based operators and wind down the business.

Role

Reporting directly to the Operations Director, you will be an essential point of communication when delivering vital updates to the wider teams across the firm. This includes sitting in executive level committees, making extensive notes before communicating these updates externally. This vacancy is ideal for someone early in their professional journey as a Chief of Staff or seeking a relatable career path. Furthermore, you will play a key part in negotiating and working with stakeholders of the business. You will be a reliable professional who has the scope for turning a role into their own function.

Your key duties make up the core of our operations. These include (but are not limited to) the following key areas:

• Communicate important updates from senior management and Hartley’s administrators to the wider business. This ranges from publishing the minutes from the death committee, vulnerable clients committee to the regular team lead huddle.
• Help contribute to ongoing reports to the regulators. These involve progress metrics relating to transfer outs and wider reports on organisational changes. Reports are bespoke, detailed and time sensitive in line with regulatory requirements.
• Manage the data to ensure complete and up-to-date records, involving active oversight of sensitive information relating to death cases and ensuring adherence to liability generating deadlines.
• Work with the wider teams on seeking process improvements by streamlining reporting and resolving bottlenecks to how these cases are processed.
• Play a key role in outreach to various institutions to help drive our recruitment campaigns, liaising with our background checking supplier and preferred supplier payroll umbrella companies.
• Act as the primary point of contact for business suppliers, managing and negotiating resources with key stakeholders of the business.
• Fulfil any further business requirements where necessary. These additional tasks are ad-hoc and often follow important company updates.

About You

It is essential that you are an individual capable of working well under pressure. Moreover, you can demonstrate your ability to manage multiple workloads and be organised in your duties:

• Prior experience working within operations, ideally as a personal assistant or administrator delivering essential communications from the executive level to the wider business.
• Basic understanding of SIPP and SSAS pensions, especially around their administration and the relevant tax rules and regulations.
• Prior experience in creating Board Packs and/or experience reporting into a companies’ Board of Directors is highly desirable.
• Looking to gain essential experience in becoming a Chief of Staff or in a similar career path.
• Handling sensitive HR related data, adhering to confidentiality both inside and outside of work.
• Demonstrable experience with GDPR regulations and ensuring the application of security protocols.
• Numerical proficiency for interpreting and analysing data.
• A competent standard of literacy for dealing with complex legal documents, tax regulations and direct client communication.
• A minimum 2:1 degree at university (in any subject) is required.
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Office applications is essential.
• Decent level of communication skills to communicate essential updates from senior management to the wider business and externally to clients, IFAs and all relevant stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Minimum C grade or level 4 or above in GCSE Mathematics (or an international equivalent)
• Minimum C grade or level 4 or above in GCSE English Literature and Language (or an international equivalent)
• 2:1 grade at university (any subject) or an international equivalent

What we offer

• A highly competitive rate: We pay within the top 10% of employers in the industry.
• Meaningful impact: A rare opportunity to play a leading part in assisting a business through a crucial transitional period.
• Hybrid working: We allow hybrid options (up to 2 days from home a week) after successful completion of training period and where business needs permit.

Recruitment Process

Hartley Pensions follow a two-stage recruitment process. A 60-minute interview with competency-based questions.

At Hartley pensions diversity is important to us. Growing, maintaining and promoting a diverse team is a top priority for us. We actively encourage individuals from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to apply. Join us in creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to thrive.

*** Please note, we have been in a trading administration since July 2022. This means that we cannot provide sponsorship to applicants at this time.