At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and deliver diverse pension change projects for high-profile clients.
- Company: WTW, a forward-thinking company embracing diversity and inclusivity.
- Benefits: 25 days annual leave, private healthcare, hybrid working, and various perks.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and deepen your expertise in pensions while making a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in UK Defined Benefit pensions and strong project management skills required.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a defined career path with coaching and mentoring.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
At WTW, we believe difference makes us stronger. We want our workforce to reflect the different and varied markets we operate in and to build a culture of inclusivity that makes colleagues feel welcome, valued and empowered to bring their whole selves to work every day. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive work environment throughout our organisation. We embrace all types of diversity.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Project Manager with a Defined Benefit (DB) pensions background to join our thriving project management team. You will lead and deliver a variety of client‑facing and internal pension change projects, working with medium to large pension schemes across diverse industries.
In this role, you will manage a broad portfolio of projects including GMP equalisation, Buy‑in/Buy‑out readiness, benefits rectification, scheme mergers, wind‑ups, and other pension change initiatives. You will collaborate closely with colleagues across multiple lines of business, clients, administrators, actuaries, and external partners.
This opportunity is ideal for someone with strong project management skills who has worked in pension projects and/or actuarial project environments, or pensions consulting, and who enjoys both the structure of pension risk based projects delivery and the challenge of troubleshooting complex issues.
Why This Role is Exciting
- Work with large, high‑profile clients and a wide variety of pension schemes.
- Be part of a growing team, contributing to new project areas and strategic initiatives.
- Opportunity to deepen expertise in specialist DB project areas such as GMPe and de‑risking transactions.
- Dynamic role blending pension risk based project delivery with strategic problem‑solving and cross‑functional collaboration.
Join us in this role and be part of a dynamic team with a defined career path, on job training and a team that coach and mentor you whilst you grow your career with us!
Our work style: We understand flexibility is key to supporting an inclusive and diverse workforce and WTW offers flexible working opportunities (full time or part time) in a hybrid style, with a mix of remote, in-person and in-office interactions dependent on the needs of the team, role and clients.
Office location: This role can be based out of any of our London, Reigate, Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds or Edinburgh offices.
The role
- Apply your pensions technical knowledge, consulting skills and project management experience to proactively guide your project teams to the optimal project outcomes.
- Manage a diverse portfolio of project types including GMP equalisation, Buy‑in and Buy‑out readiness, benefit rectification, liability management, scheme transitions, mergers, and wind‑ups.
- Develop detailed project plans to monitor and track progress.
- Establish a robust project governance framework.
- Provide day-to-day project management, working closely with your project teams and external stakeholders to deliver project milestones within scope and budgets.
- Lead and document project calls and facilitate planning workshops.
- Drive high quality client project delivery, operational efficiency and effectiveness.
- Carry out continual project improvement reviews and ensure thorough tranche reviews are carried out at appropriate project milestones.
- Ensure that the project documentation, such as risk logs, action plans, project plans are actively maintained.
What you’ll bring
- A strong working background in UK Defined Benefit pensions.
- Strong knowledge of DB scheme operations, legislation, and technical project areas (e.g., GMP rectification/equalisation, Buy‑ins, Buy‑outs, wind‑ups). Experience within actuarial project teams, pension administration projects, or pensions consulting is highly advantageous.
- Evidence of successful project delivery and client facing experience.
- Prince 2 qualified or similar (e.g. APM, PMP, CSM) or a willingness to sit these.
- Clear, concise and confident communication skills (both verbal and written).
- Experience in facilitating and leading project meetings / workshops and taking effective notes.
- Proactiveness and assertive management approach to drive project outcomes.
- Strong stakeholder management experience.
What we offer
Enjoy a benefits package designed to help you thrive, both professionally and personally. You will receive 25 days of annual leave plus an extra WTW day to relax and recharge. Our comprehensive health and wellbeing offering includes private healthcare, life insurance, group income protection, and regular health assessments, all giving you peace of mind. Secure your future with our defined contribution pension scheme, featuring matched contributions up to 10% from the company.
We support your growth and balance with hybrid working options, access to an employee assistance programme, and a fully paid volunteer day to make a difference in your community. On top of these, you can opt into a variety of additional perks including an electric vehicle car scheme, share scheme, cycle-to-work programme, dental and optical cover, critical illness protection, and much more. Start making the most of your career and wellbeing with a range of benefits tailored for you.
Equal Opportunity Employer
We’re committed to equal employment opportunity and provide application, interview and workplace adjustments and accommodations to all applicants. If you foresee any barriers, from the application process through to joining WTW, please email candidate.helpdesk@wtwco.com.
Pensions Project Manager employer: Willis Towers Watson
Contact Detail:
Willis Towers Watson Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Pensions Project Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the pensions industry and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. A friendly chat can lead to referrals or insider info about job openings that aren't advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching WTW and their projects. Understand their approach to pension management and think of examples from your experience that align with their values and needs. This will show you're genuinely interested and ready to contribute.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! Since this role involves a lot of stakeholder management, being able to articulate your thoughts clearly is key. Try mock interviews with friends or use online platforms to refine your delivery.
✨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 keen on joining our team at WTW and ready to dive into the exciting projects we have lined up.
We think you need these skills to ace Pensions Project Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Pensions Project Manager role. Highlight your experience with Defined Benefit pensions and project management skills. We want to see how your background aligns with the job description!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your skills can contribute to our team. Keep it concise but impactful, and don’t forget to mention your experience with pension change projects.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since clear communication is key in this role, make sure your application reflects your ability to communicate effectively. Use straightforward language and structure your documents well. We love a good, easy-to-read application!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Willis Towers Watson
✨Know Your Pensions Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Defined Benefit pensions, especially areas like GMP equalisation and Buy-ins/Buy-outs. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're not just familiar with the jargon but can also apply your expertise in real-world scenarios.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Prepare to discuss specific projects you've managed in the past. Highlight your experience with project governance frameworks and how you've successfully delivered projects on time and within budget. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Demonstrate your stakeholder management skills by sharing examples of how you've effectively communicated and collaborated with various parties. Be ready to talk about how you handle challenging conversations and ensure everyone is on the same page during a project.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the role and the company culture. Inquire about their approach to inclusivity and how they support professional development. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.