Pensions Consultant

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About Us

3173 is a privately owned UK firm of pensions experts with clients throughout the UK, serviced from offices in London, Belfast, Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and Leeds. The 3173 Group includes Dalriada Trustees Limited (Dalriada), one of the UK’s largest professional pension scheme trustee companies. Spence & Partners provides full pension actuarial, consulting, investment consulting and administration services, and Mantle reimagines defined benefit pensions administration and actuarial valuation software.

The 3173 Culture

Our primary aim is to provide interesting, worthwhile and healthy careers for all our people. We balance responsibility with freedom and flexibility, underpinned by interdependent collaboration. Our goal is to provide interesting, worthwhile, and healthy careers and to accelerate development through graduate programmes and direct exposure to directors. We support you through an accelerated learning and development scheme.

About You

We are looking to hire a Pensions Consultant who wants the opportunity to continue their career within an award-winning and growing organisation. To make an impact in this role, you will be a highly motivated individual who is looking to take increased responsibility in the management of a portfolio of Defined Benefit (DB) pension schemes, acting as a day-to-day contact for clients and supporting the delivery of services through cross-functional client teams. Delivery of client projects will also be key to the role.

Over time, you will have the opportunity to contribute to winning new business – writing tender responses and participating in pitch activity. You will use your experience to drive continuous improvement in our processes and enhance effectiveness and efficiency. You will work in a flexible environment and stay ahead of developments within the pensions industry and broader business environment to support client service and growth. You should be able to share technical knowledge with clients and colleagues and build lasting relationships with clients, networking contacts and colleagues. This role may suit an existing Pensions Consultant or someone with a DB pensions administration background who wants to develop as a Pensions Consultant. Proven client and project management skills and the ability to build and manage relationships are key. Knowledge of the PPF assessment process is desirable.

Responsibilities & Criteria

The Pensions Consultant will be a key part of our professional team, providing strategic and compliance-based pension advice to trustee and corporate clients. You will manage a defined portfolio of clients, ensure governance controls are followed, maintain relationships, and deliver scheme secretarial activities where provided. Depending on experience, you may manage your own portfolio or work with a mix of clients you support as you develop.

You will communicate effectively with clients and other parties, including preparation of reports and communication material for trustees, client companies, and scheme members, and liaising with pension scheme members, regulatory bodies, the PPF, HMRC, auditors and other advisors.

Core responsibilities:

• Own and/or support the management of relationships with Trustees and Sponsors of DB pension schemes.
• Manage specific projects (e.g., GMP equalisation, ORAs).
• Oversee delivery of all aspects of pension scheme governance to ensure compliance and no breaches.
• Act as day-to-day contact for clients and attend client meetings.
• Maintain services in line with the client contract and internal quality standards; manage scheme business plan and governance documents.
• Carry out scheme secretarial activity where relevant (meetings, agendas, packs).
• Lead and/or support on client issues, working closely with the client team.
• Monitor budgets and ensure defined financial metrics are achieved.
• Support business growth activities and tender/pitch involvement.
• Build a growing network of professional contacts regionally.
• Contribute to marketing collateral and identify opportunities for service enhancements.

Personal Growth Responsibilities:

• Actively build skills and experience toward defined development goals.
• Keep abreast of regulatory and governance changes.
• Attend training (technical and business skills) as required.

Experience:

• DB pension industry background with minimum 3 years’ experience in a similar role or managing clients in a DB pensions administration context.
• Technical understanding of pension legislation, regulations, guidance, and codes of practice related to scheme management and compliance; knowledge of defined benefit and defined contribution schemes.
• Evidence of client management responsibility and ability to progress with multiple strands of activity.
• Excellent communication skills (written and oral) with ability to simplify technical points.
• Proficiency with MS Office and the ability to learn bespoke systems.
• Working towards or having completed Associate or Fellow of the Pensions Management Institute (APMI/FPMI) or equivalent post-qualification.
• Track record in client management with project management exposure and experience in new business activity including pitches and events.

Circumstances:

• Location: London, Manchester, Glasgow or Belfast offices.
• Working hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, with additional hours as required.
• Six-month probationary period and Access NI check for all prospective employees.
• Pre-hire reference checking and security vetting may apply.

Spence & Partners is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applying with a disability or long-term health condition? We are committed to increasing representation of disabled colleagues and removing barriers to apply. If adjustments are needed to support you during recruitment, please advise us in good time so we can make suitable arrangements. Information will be treated confidentially. For discussion, please call 028 9041 2000 and ask to speak to a member of the HR team. The role profile may change over time; related activities may be assigned as directed by the board.

Seniority level: Associate

Employment type: Full-time

Job function: Finance and Consulting