At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage and oversee Defined Benefit schemes, ensuring accurate benefits for members.
- Company: Join Spence & Partners, a leading firm in the pensions industry.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working hours, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative culture focused on personal growth and team success.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the pensions sector while developing your expertise.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in DB pension administration with strong technical knowledge.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
About Us
At Spence & Partners (part of 3173 Group), we’re on a mission to simplify and enhance the pensions industry. We believe in delivering smarter, more effective solutions that help pension schemes thrive. Since our founding in 2000, we’ve earned a reputation for practical and innovative advice, with a commitment to meeting the evolving needs of Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution schemes.
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.
The 3173 Culture
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. We are defined by our ethos and by our goal:
- 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.
About You
At Spence, we’re continuing to grow, and you’ll play an important role in that journey. As well as developing your own expertise and career, you’ll help us build long-term client relationships, contribute to winning new business, and shape the future of our pensions services. All within a collaborative team where your knowledge is valued and your impact is recognised.
Are you an experienced pensions professional looking for your next challenge? We’re looking for a Senior Pensions Administrator to take a key role in delivering exceptional service on behalf of trustees and scheme members. This is a role where your technical expertise, attention to detail, and ability to support others will really shine.
As part of our team, you’ll be trusted to manage and oversee the day-to-day running of Defined Benefit (DB) schemes, ensuring that members receive accurate and timely benefits, and trustees can rely on robust and compliant administration. You’ll also play a vital role in supporting colleagues — reviewing their work, sharing your knowledge, and helping to develop the next generation of pensions administrators.
Responsibilities & Criteria
Key Responsibilities- Manage and oversee the day-to-day running of Defined Benefit schemes.
- Act as a point of contact for scheme members, trustees, and advisers.
- Perform and check more complex benefit calculations (e.g. ill-health, divorce, or non-standard cases).
- Review and authorise the work of junior colleagues, providing mentoring and guidance.
- Ensure tasks are completed accurately, on time, and within service standards.
- Contribute to scheme exercises such as wind-ups, GMP reconciliations, and member communications.
- Work proactively and independently, resolving queries and identifying improvements.
- Support business development by contributing technical input for proposals or attending client pitches alongside senior colleagues.
- At least 5 years’ experience in DB pension administration.
- Broad technical knowledge of UK pensions legislation, regulations, and codes of practice.
- Strong understanding of scheme rules and benefit calculations, including non-standard/complex cases.
- Ability to check and review the work of junior colleagues.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, able to liaise confidently with members, trustees, and third parties.
- Experience managing day-to-day scheme tasks and ensuring service levels are met.
- Ability to work proactively, independently, and in a fast-moving environment.
- Experience attending trustee or client meetings.
- Ability to mentor and support less experienced colleagues.
- Strong organisational skills, able to coordinate multiple tasks effectively.
- Involvement in supporting new business proposals or pitches.
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.
Senior Pensions Administrator in Belfast employer: Spence & Partners
3173 Group is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and dynamic work environment in Belfast, where employees are encouraged to grow and develop their skills. With funded training opportunities and a focus on teamwork, you will find yourself supported in your career journey while contributing to impactful financial operations. Join us to be part of a vibrant culture that values detail-oriented professionals and promotes meaningful contributions to the Finance team.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Pensions Administrator in Belfast
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the pensions industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about letting people know you’re on the lookout for a Senior Pensions Administrator role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge of DB schemes and UK pensions legislation. We want you to feel confident discussing complex benefit calculations and scheme rules, so practice articulating your experience and insights clearly.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your mentoring skills! Highlight your ability to support and guide junior colleagues during interviews. This is a key aspect of the role, and demonstrating your commitment to developing others will set you apart from the competition.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Spence & Partners, where we value collaboration and innovation in the pensions sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Pensions Administrator in Belfast
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Pensions Administrator role. Highlight your experience in DB pension administration and any relevant technical knowledge that aligns with what we’re looking for.
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t just list your skills; demonstrate them! Use specific examples from your past work to show how you’ve managed day-to-day scheme tasks or mentored junior colleagues. We want to see how you can contribute to our team.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon unless it’s relevant. We appreciate good communication skills, so let that shine through in your writing!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Spence & Partners
✨Know Your Pensions Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of UK pensions legislation and regulations. Familiarise yourself with Defined Benefit schemes, especially the complexities involved in benefit calculations. This will not only help you answer technical questions but also show your passion for the field.
✨Showcase Your Mentoring Skills
Since the role involves reviewing and guiding junior colleagues, be prepared to discuss your mentoring experience. Think of specific examples where you've supported others in their development. This will demonstrate your leadership potential and collaborative spirit.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess how you would handle real-life situations, such as complex benefit calculations or member queries. Practise articulating your thought process and problem-solving skills, as this will highlight your ability to work independently and proactively.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Strong communication skills are essential for liaising with members and trustees. Practise explaining complex concepts in simple terms. During the interview, maintain eye contact and engage with your interviewers to convey confidence and clarity in your responses.
