Pensions Associate

Spence & Partners Ltd.; Belfast; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading pension consulting firm in Belfast is seeking a Pensions Management Graduate trainee for September 2026. You will provide proactive client service, utilize creative problem-solving, and support a variety of pension-related projects. Candidates should have a 2:1 degree or higher and excellent IT skills. This role involves drafting reports for clients and collaborating with senior colleagues in a supportive environment focused on professional development. Full training will be provided along with opportunities for career advancement.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Flexible working hours

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven ability to use creativity in problem-solving.
• Experience working independently on tasks.
• Desire to engage with and learn about the pensions industry.

Responsibilities

• Provide proactive client service focused on client needs.
• Draft reports and presentations for clients about pension management.
• Support the team in various client projects related to pensions.

Skills

Communication skills

Proactive client service

Critical thinking

IT skills

Education

Honours degree at 2:1 level or above in a relevant subject

5 GCSEs including Mathematics and English at Grade A

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

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.

We’re looking for graduates to start in September 2026 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. With a culture built on collaboration and excellence, we offer 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.

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.

About You

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 maintains 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.

Responsibilities & Criteria

Essential 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
• Ability to display a keen interest in the industry and environment in which we operate

Desirable Criteria

Work experience or Placement in a Professional Services environment

Behaviour Competencies for the Role

Inspiring Leadership, Strategic Thinking, Impacting & Influencing, Client Engagement, Collaborative Working, Problem Solving, Planned Approach, Professional Approach

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.

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.

Salary & Benefits Package

If you are successful you will receive a competitive salary and benefits package outlined on our careers page. Pension Consultants Careers and More - Spence & Partners (spenceandpartners.co.uk)

To find out what our previous graduates say about this programme please check out the placement and graduate section of our website. .

Circumstances

• Location: Flexible within commutable distance of our Glasgow or Belfast office.
• Working hours: Monday to Friday, 37.5 hours per week with additional hours as and when required.
• Our Company is committed to work life balance and our flexi‑working policy and opportunity for remote working enables 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.

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 team.