At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead complex pension administration projects and provide expert guidance to clients and colleagues.
- Company: 3173 Group, a leading UK pensions firm with a focus on innovative solutions.
- Benefits: Flexible working hours, career development opportunities, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to inclusivity and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the pensions industry while growing your career with expert mentorship.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in DB pension administration and strong client relationship skills required.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 € per year.
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 of companies 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 that provide simply smarter solutions for trustees, employers and members. Our primary aim is to provide interesting, worthwhile and healthy careers for all our people; we believe that this emphasis sets us apart from our competitors.
Our ethos is an individual and collective commitment achieved through carefully balancing responsibility with freedom and flexibility, all of which is underpinned by a willingness to work interdependently. When we get this balance right, it is how we do our best work. Our goal is to provide interesting, worthwhile, and healthy careers for our people. Our graduate development programmes offer the opportunity to build a career in the pensions industry. You’ll get direct exposure to working with the directors of our business and the opportunity to really make your mark in a growing business. We will support you every step of the way through our accelerated learning and development scheme.
About You
Are you ready to take the lead on some of the most complex and rewarding challenges in pensions administration? As a Principal Pensions Administrator, you’ll act as the key point of contact for trustees and advisers, ensuring that Defined Benefit (DB) schemes are managed with precision, compliance, and outstanding client service. This is a role where your technical expertise, leadership skills, and commercial awareness come together. You’ll take ownership of entire schemes, oversee and authorise the most complex cases, and provide guidance to colleagues at every level. From attending trustee meetings and presenting reports to leading major exercises such as buy-ins, buyouts, and GMP equalisation, you’ll also support Spence’s business development by building trusted client relationships and contributing to new opportunities. At Spence, we’re continuing to grow, and you’ll play an important part in that journey. You’ll be joining a collaborative and supportive team where your knowledge is valued, your impact is recognised, and your contribution helps shape the future of our pensions services.
Responsibilities & Criteria
- Key Criteria (Essential)
- At least 8 years’ experience in DB pension administration
- Extensive experience in Defined Benefit (DB) pensions administration, with proven expertise in complex and technical cases.
- In-depth knowledge of UK pensions legislation, regulation, and codes of practice.
- Demonstrated experience acting as lead contact for trustees and advisers.
- Strong client relationship skills, including attending and contributing to trustee meetings.
- Experience leading on scheme-wide projects (e.g. GMP equalisation, buy-ins, buyouts, scheme wind-ups).
- Ability to mentor, guide, and support both junior and senior colleagues.
- Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities across multiple schemes.
- Commercial awareness and the confidence to support business development activity.
- Desirable Criteria
- PMI qualification (or working towards).
- Experience preparing trustee reports and presenting technical advice at trustee meetings.
- Track record of delivering large-scale or complex pension projects successfully.
- Evidence of contributing to process improvements or shaping team practices.
- Experience representing the business at pitches or new client opportunities.
Circumstances
- Working hours: Monday to Friday, 37.5 hours per week with additional hours as and when required.
- Location: UK-wide with opportunity available in Belfast, Manchester or Glasgow.
- All roles are subject to a six-month probationary period and all prospective employees are required to complete an Access NI check.
- As part of the pre-hire process the successful candidate will be subject to reference checking security vetting.
3173 is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applying with a disability or long-term health condition? As part of our belief that we benefit from the differences among us we are committed to increasing the representation of disabled colleagues and want to remove any barriers or challenges that get in the way of candidates with a disability or long-term health condition from applying to work with us. As part of this commitment we guarantee to automatically interview anyone with a disability who meets the minimum criteria. If there is support or an adjustment that we can provide to enable you to be at your best during the recruitment and selection process, we encourage you to advise us in good time so that we may make suitable arrangements. We understand that being open with us may feel uncomfortable so please only share with us the information that you are comfortable to share, and rest assured that we will use this only to provide you with the right support. Any information you give us will be treated completely confidentially. To discuss this further please call 028 9041 2000 and ask to speak to a member of the People & Culture team.
Principal Pensions Administrator in Glasgow employer: Spence & Partners Ltd.
At 3173, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work culture that values individual contributions and fosters professional growth. With offices in key UK cities like Belfast, Manchester, and Glasgow, we provide our employees with the opportunity to engage in meaningful work within the pensions industry, backed by comprehensive training and development programmes. Our commitment to creating interesting and worthwhile careers ensures that every team member can thrive while making a significant impact in a growing business.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Pensions Administrator in Glasgow
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the pensions industry, attend relevant events, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its ethos. Understand their approach to pensions administration and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they’re about.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! Be ready to discuss specific projects you've led or complex cases you've managed. Use examples that highlight your leadership skills and client relationship management – this is key for a Principal Pensions Administrator role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Pensions Administrator in Glasgow
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Principal Pensions Administrator role. Highlight your experience in DB pension administration and any complex cases you've handled. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about pensions and how your background makes you a great fit for our team. Don’t forget to mention your leadership skills and client relationship experience!
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements. Did you lead a successful project or improve a process? We love to see concrete examples of how you've made an impact in your previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us that you're genuinely interested in joining our team at 3173!
How to prepare for a job interview at Spence & Partners Ltd.
✨Know Your Pensions Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Defined Benefit (DB) pensions administration and UK pensions legislation. Be prepared to discuss complex cases you've handled and how you ensured compliance and outstanding client service.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Principal Pensions Administrator, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead and mentor others. Think of examples where you've guided colleagues or led projects like GMP equalisation or buy-ins, and be ready to share these during the interview.
✨Build Rapport with Interviewers
Since strong client relationship skills are key, practice building rapport with your interviewers. Engage them in conversation, ask insightful questions about their experiences, and show genuine interest in their work and the company culture.
✨Prepare for Trustee Meetings
Expect to discuss your experience attending and contributing to trustee meetings. Prepare to talk about how you've presented reports and provided technical advice, as well as any challenges you've faced and how you overcame them.
