About UsSpence & Partners (Spence) provides full pension actuarial, consulting, investment consulting and administration services that provide simply smarter solutions for trustees, employers, and members.We are excited about the future. The industry in which we operate offers a dynamic and challenging environment and our excellent reputation is contributing to the growth of our business from an expanding portfolio of clients. With our unique approach to the provision of services, we aspire to continue to extend our client base and deliver truly integrated solutions across our work through the use of our highly innovative software platform, Mantle.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 provideinteresting, worthwhile, and healthy careers for our colleagues; we believe that this emphasis sets us apart from our competitors. We do not pigeonhole colleagues and aim to provide challenging and interesting work which will allow our staff to build rewarding careers. We will support you every step of the way.Spence is part of the 3173 Group of companies, which also includes Dalriada Trustees Limited, one of the UKlargest professional pension scheme trustee companies, and Mantle, which reimagines the traditional models of defined benefit pensions administration and actuarial valuation software. Joining us as can open up opportunities for you to add value across the group.We have clients throughout the UK, serviced from offices in London, Belfast, Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, and Leeds.More information about what itlike to work at Spence can be found here.About YouOur Actuarial and Investment team offers a diverse range of stimulating and fast paced actuarial and investment work.As a Placement Student, you will be an integral part of our Actuarial and Investment Team - providing an important contribution to a wide range of work within the pensions sector. This role is an exciting opportunity to grow your knowledge and experience in providing actuarial advice and technical support to a diverse range of clients, including the trustees and sponsoring employers of pension schemes, the Pension Protection Fund and Charity\/Not for Profit organisations.A structured training plan will support you in growing your knowledge and driving your time with us. We aim to give our Placement Students the same experience as the graduates who join us, so you will get early experience of what you can expect after you graduate. A line manager and a buddy will be there for you to get personal support in settling in, setting objectives and ensuring your placement year is a success.We aim to recruit the best individuals. We are looking for individuals who are keen to learn from our team and develop within a busy and successful organisation. These individuals should be intelligent, innovative and motivated to make an impact in their placement year, which could lead to further opportunities in our organisation.You should enjoy solving complex problems and be interested in the financial services and pensions industry and the areas affecting it. You will be well organised and proactive, calm under pressure and able to communicate well at all levels (both written and verbally).You will enjoy working in a challenging environment in which you can develop both personally and professionally. You should be able to demonstrate a conscientious approach to your work and exhibit exceptional attention to detail. You will be an individual who is great at working with people and knows how to interact in a professional environment and can deliver to the requirements of our high performing culture.Responsibilities & CriteriaAs part of our Actuarial and Investment team, you will:Help provide a service to our clients 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 teamBe encouraged to use your creativity and critical thinking to come up with tailor-made solutions to unique problemsLearn how to effectively use our bespoke in-house software, Mantle, to consider the risks to our clients and develop appropriate solutions that meet our clientneedsPrepare actuarial and member benefit calculationsDraft reports and presentations to clients to support their decision making in managing their pension scheme arrangementsSupport our work with the Pension Protection Fund as a member of its Specialist Administration and Actuarial Services PanelSupport internal projects to improve our processes and develop our service proposition; positively impacting the way in which we work and deliverEssential CriteriaOn track for an honours degree at 2:1 level or aboveA Levels, or equivalent Mathematics and English at Grade B or aboveExcellent IT skills and competent in Microsoft packages, e.g. Word and Excel, with an aptitude for learning other systemsEvidence of working proactively and using your own initiative to complete tasksExcellent verbal and written communication skillsAbility to display a keen interest in the industry and environment in which we operateEligibility to work in the UKCircumstancesWorking hours: Monday to Friday, 37.5 hours per week withadditionalhours as and whenrequired.Location: Opportunity is only available in Belfast or Glasgow.All roles are subject to a six-month probationary period and all prospective employeesare required tocomplete 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.