Pensions Management Graduate Spence & Partners
At a Glance
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.
About Us
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.
We're looking for graduates who are eager to make an impact.
You'll have the opportunity to work with a diverse team of experts, learn from industry leaders, and contribute to projects that help empower trustees, employers, advisers, and members.
Culture
Our culture is built on collaboration and excellence, offering a dynamic environment where you'll grow professionally and personally.
Our cutting-edge integrated actuarial and administration platform, industry partnerships, and agile approach to problem-solving are just a few ways we're reshaping pensions.
As part of our team, you'll be at the heart of these innovations, contributing to meaningful change in the sector.
About 3173 Group
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.
Our Graduate Development Programmes
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.
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.
Responsibilities and Criteria
As a Graduate, a structured training plan will help you grow your knowledge and drive your career.
Working with our team, you will create a personal development plan to support your development in the company and the industry.
In support of our Pensions Management teams, you will contribute to a wide range of work within the pensions sector, incorporating technical support to the Trustees and Sponsoring Employers of pension schemes, as well as our work with the Pension Protection Fund and Pensions Regulator.
This provides the opportunity to enhance your technical abilities and develop core technical pensions management competencies on a daily basis, whilst working in a challenging environment as part of a rapidly growing, innovative pension consulting firm.
You will liaise with colleagues throughout our office locations and work on clients from a diverse range of industries.
Your Role
As a Pensions Management Graduate trainee, you will:
* Help provide a client service that is proactive, timely, and fully focused on the needs of the client and maintain the excellent reputation that has been established by our impressive team.
* Be encouraged to use your creativity and critical thinking to come up with tailor-made solutions to unique problems.
* Demonstrate excellent communication skills through regular interaction with clients.
* Be trained on the use of our bespoke in-house software, Mantle, to consider and develop appropriate solutions that meet the needs of our clients.
* Carry out a range of projects from winding up schemes and calculating member pension benefits to carrying out forensic research.
* Draft reports and presentations to clients in support of their decision making in managing their pension scheme arrangements.
* Act as key contact to members and clients, answering a range of queries over the phone and via written communication becoming effective and confident in providing clear and accurate information to members and beneficiaries.
* Support our work with the Pension Protection Fund as a member of its Specialist Administration and Actuarial Services Panel.
* Perform in accordance with financial targets and standards; time recording, budget monitoring, billing, and all other aspects of financial management.
* Work with and support expert and senior colleagues developing skills and knowledge across our range of services by delivering on client needs.
Criteria
An honours degree at 2:1 level or above in a relevant subject
At least 5 GCSEs to include Mathematics and English at Grade A or above
Excellent IT skills and full competence in Microsoft packages, e.g., Word and Excel, with an aptitude for learning other systems
Experience of working proactively and using your own initiative to complete tasks
Excellent verbal and written skills
Able to display a keen interest in the industry and environment in which we operate
Benefits
If you are successful, you will receive a competitive salary and benefits package outlined on our careers page.
To find out what our previous graduates say about this programme, please check out the placement and graduate section of our website.
Location and Working Hours
Location: Flexible within commutable distance of our Belfast or Glasgow office.
Working hours: Monday to Friday, 37.5 hours per week with additional hours as and when required.
We are committed to work-life balance, and our flexi-working policy and opportunity for remote working enable individuals to maintain that balance.
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.
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.
To discuss this further, please call [insert number] and ask to speak to a member of the People team.
Closing date for the role is 7th March 2025.
We may close recruitment and proceed with candidate selection earlier if there is a high volume and quality of applications.