At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to manage pension schemes and provide top-notch customer service.
- Company: Isio, a leading employer for graduates and apprentices in the UK.
- Benefits: Gain professional qualifications, structured support, and hands-on experience.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for career growth and learning.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the pensions industry while developing valuable skills.
- Qualifications: Good numeracy, literacy, and communication skills; no prior pensions experience needed.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
Starting your career is about more than finding a job. It's about finding a place where you can learn, grow and make an impact. At Isio, you'll work on meaningful projects, gain professional qualifications, receive structured development support and learn from experienced colleagues who are invested in your success. We're proud to have been recognised as one of the UK's leading employers for graduates and apprentices, reflecting our commitment to providing an outstanding Early Careers experience.
Pension schemes are part of the backbone of the UK savings industry - relied on by millions of people to provide a reliable and secure income in retirement. Isio's third-party pensions administration team is founded on excellence. We support our clients in providing the best possible experience for their employees and pension scheme members. We use powerful proprietary technology and our experienced teams to manage the operation of pension schemes effectively. Pensions Administration is a key growth area for Isio and this Industrial Placement programme offers the opportunity to get more insight and build valuable experience of both technical pensions knowledge and effective workplace skills.
From day one you will be part of our support team that provides a first-class customer service to pension scheme members. You will be involved in providing the administration services to a portfolio of pension scheme clients that range in size. You will be trained how to manage all day-to-day activities across your allocated client portfolio as well as helping to deliver reports and ad-hoc projects. Success in the placement may well lead to an offer to start a career in Pensions Administration after you complete university without needing to apply.
What does the role entail?
- Data Management & Benefit Administration
- Maintain accurate member records through cloud-based administration systems
- Execute member lifecycle processes (transfers, retirements, etc) in compliance with regulatory guidelines
- Perform benefit calculations and validate data integrity under senior supervision
- Member Engagement & Support
- Deliver timely responses to member enquiries via email, phone and post in line with service level agreements
- Provide clear, jargon-free guidance on pension benefits while demonstrating empathy
- Team Collaboration & Innovation
- Manage caseloads effectively to meet team processing targets
- Engage in knowledge-sharing sessions with colleagues and mentors
- Professional Development
- Complete mandatory training programmes within specified deadlines
- Apply technical knowledge practically through supervised casework
- Pursue self-directed learning to understand end-to-end pension administration
What we’re looking for
- Good levels of numeracy and literacy
- Clear and consistent written and spoken communication skills
- The ability to organise information, priorities and deadlines
- The ability to work with numerical and financial information
- An interest in pensions, business and solving problems
- The ability to build effective working relationships
- Confidence in Microsoft Office
- A willingness to learn, ask questions and use feedback
- The ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and clients, valuing different perspectives
- Consistent care taken over quality, accuracy and follow-through
- Those that can respond constructively when priorities change
- Those that stay curious and look for better ways to solve problems
- Consistently show respect, fairness and integrity
We will assess these behaviours in a structured and consistent way during the recruitment process. Previous pensions experience is not required.
Training and development
You will receive structured learning, practical experience and support from your team. You will develop technical, business and professional skills through on-the-job learning, formal training and hands-on client work.
Length of programme
This placement starts on Monday 28 June 2027 and will continue for 13 months until Friday 28 July 2028.
Location and working pattern
This role is based in our Belfast office. Expected office attendance, including the first few months is four days per week minimum in office and then two/three days a week in the office moving forwards. The working pattern will reflect client, team and learning needs. Reasonable adjustments will be considered where appropriate.
Entry requirements
- You must be currently in your penultimate year of full-time university study - looking for an industrial placement before returning to university in September 2028 looking to complete university by September 2029
- You need to be available for full time work from Monday 28 June 2027 - Friday 28 July 2028 and be returning to university for your final year of full-time study in September 2028.
- We welcome applications from people studying any subject
- We are not able to provide visa sponsorship for this position and therefore you will need to be able to work in the UK without the need for visa sponsorship now or in the future.
Recruitment process
The recruitment process will include:
- Completing an online application form where we will establish your eligibility for this role
- An invitation to complete a 'Skills that Build' assessment and numerical reasoning online assessment
- Online motivation and competency questions requiring video and/or written responses
- A further review of your application assessing your potential to be successful in this role
- An interview, in-person, with Managers in this role in the office you have applied to be based in
We will explain what to expect before each stage. The process will assess your motivation, numerical and problem-solving skills, communication, teamwork and approach to learning. It will not assume previous pensions knowledge.
Accessibility
It's our vision to foster a diverse, inclusive and equitable environment, which recognises individuals for their unique contribution, celebrates their differences without judgement and is committed to driving measurable change. Isio promises to make the recruitment process as accessible as possible, giving all candidates the opportunity to shine. We will reduce or remove barriers where possible and provide additional support where appropriate.
What reasonable adjustments can we offer?
Adjustments are made on a case-by-case basis, but can include:
- Extra time to complete assessments
- Receiving content in accessible formats
If you think you may require a reasonable adjustment to be made at any stage of the recruitment process, please email: hrearlycareers@isio.com.
2027 Industrial Placement - Pensions Administration - Belfast employer: Isio
Isio is an excellent employer that prioritises employee growth and development, offering comprehensive training for those new to the pension fund accounting industry. With a hybrid workstyle and a collaborative culture across multiple UK offices, employees enjoy a supportive environment that fosters meaningful contributions to over 350 client accounts. The company values work-life balance and provides unique opportunities for professional advancement in a dynamic sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land 2027 Industrial Placement - Pensions Administration - Belfast
✨Get Familiar with Financial Modelling
Brush up on your financial modelling skills—this is essential for anyone looking to dive into financial controlling. Create some mock budgets or forecasts based on real-world data you can find online. This not only sharpens your skills but also gives you something substantive to discuss in interviews.
✨Connect with University Career Services
Don’t underestimate your university’s career services! They often have connections to companies like Isio who are looking for placement students. They can help you prepare for interviews and might even host networking events where you can meet potential employers.
✨Engage with Finance Communities Online
Join finance-related communities on platforms like LinkedIn or forums like WallStreetOasis. These are hotbeds for sharing insights and job openings. Participating in discussions can also help you get noticed by recruiters and professionals in the financial controlling space.
✨Leverage Upcoming Finance Events
Check out finance seminars or conferences happening in your area or even online. These events are a great opportunity to network and learn about what companies like Isio are looking for in candidates. Plus, you might score an informal chat with someone from their team which can give you the inside track!
We think you need these skills to ace 2027 Industrial Placement - Pensions Administration - Belfast
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers Game:In the world of financial controlling, it’s all about the numbers! Make sure your CV highlights any relevant coursework, projects, or experiences, especially in financial reporting, budgeting, or analytics. If you've tackled tasks involving profit and loss statements, list them out to demonstrate your familiarity with the tools of the trade.
Quantify Your Achievements:When you're discussing your achievements in your application, don't just say you ‘helped with budgeting’ – instead, specify how much you helped save, the percentage increase in revenue, or any other quantifiable metric. Employers love to see those hard numbers that show you're capable of making an impact!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:As you’re applying for a placement, don’t just regurgitate your CV in your cover letter. Use this space to express your eagerness to learn and grow in the financial controlling field. Mention specific examples of how this placement at Isio aligns with your career goals and what you hope to take away from the experience.
Highlight Relevant Finance Tools:If you've got experience with any financial software or tools, shout about it! Whether it’s Excel, SAP, or any other financial modelling programmes, make sure to list them in your CV. If you have certificates or relevant coursework, be sure to include this as well, showing that you’re serious and ready to jump in at Isio!
How to prepare for a job interview at Isio
✨Master Your Numbers
During your financial controlling placement interview at Isio, you can expect technical questions that dive into financial ratios, budgets, and forecasting techniques. Brush up on your Excel skills—knowing how to manipulate data and create financial models will definitely impress!
✨Showcase Your Understanding of Financial Regulations
Make sure you’re familiar with key regulations that could affect financial controlling, like IFRS or GAAP. We suggest mentioning any relevant coursework or projects that involved compliance and how you approached those challenges. This will show your interviewers that you’re not just numbers-savvy, but also regulation-aware!
✨Connect Your Experience with the Role
Even for a placement, it's important to connect your past experiences—like coursework, internships, or part-time jobs—to the role at Isio. Reflect on specific instances where you used analytical skills or dealt with financial data. This makes it clearer how you can contribute from day one!
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Don’t underestimate the power of behavioural questions in your interview! Be ready to discuss how you’ve worked as part of a team or handled tight deadlines. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your answers, which will make your responses more impactful and memorable.