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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 includes Dalriada Trustees Limited (Dalriada), and Spence & Partners provides full pension actuarial, consulting, investment consulting and administration services, including Mantle, which reimagines the traditional models of defined benefit pensions administration and actuarial valuation software.
Overview
As a Principal Pensions Administrator, you’ll be the key point of contact for trustees and advisers, ensuring that Defined Benefit (DB) schemes are managed with precision, compliance, and outstanding client service. You’ll bring technical expertise, leadership, and commercial awareness to the role, taking ownership of entire schemes, overseeing and authorising the most complex cases, and guiding colleagues at all levels. You’ll also participate in trustee meetings, present reports, and lead major exercises such as buy-ins, buyouts, and GMP equalisation, while supporting business development through trusted client relationships and new opportunities.
Responsibilities
* Act as the lead point of contact for trustees and advisers on Defined Benefit (DB) pension schemes.
* Manage entire schemes, oversee and authorise complex cases, and provide guidance to colleagues at all levels.
* Attend trustee meetings and present reports; lead major exercises such as buy-ins, buyouts, and GMP equalisation.
* Support business development by building trusted client relationships and contributing to new opportunities.
* Collaborate with the wider team to ensure high standards of service, accuracy, and compliance.
Qualifications
* At least 8 years’ experience in DB pension administration with proven expertise in complex and technical cases.
* In-depth knowledge of UK pensions legislation, regulation, and codes of practice.
* Demonstrated experience acting as lead contact for trustees and advisers.
* Strong client relationship skills, including attending and contributing to trustee meetings.
* Experience leading on scheme-wide projects (e.g. GMP equalisation, buy-ins, buyouts, scheme wind-ups).
* Ability to mentor, guide, and support both junior and senior colleagues.
* Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities across multiple schemes.
* Commercial awareness and the confidence to support business development activity.
* PMI qualification (or working towards).
* Experience preparing trustee reports and presenting technical advice at trustee meetings.
* Track record of delivering large-scale or complex pension projects successfully.
* Evidence of contributing to process improvements or shaping team practices.
* Experience representing the business at pitches or new client opportunities.
Circumstances
* Working hours: Monday to Friday, 37.5 hours per week with additional hours as required.
* Location: UK-wide with opportunities in Belfast, Manchester or Glasgow.
* All roles subject to a six-month probationary period and all prospective employees require an Access NI check.
* As part of the pre-hire process, the successful candidate will be subject to reference checking and security vetting.
EEO and Disability
3173 is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Applying with a disability or long-term health condition?
We are committed to increasing the representation of disabled colleagues and removing barriers for candidates with a disability or long-term health condition. We guarantee to automatically interview anyone with a disability who meets the minimum criteria. If support or an adjustment is needed to enable you to be at your best during recruitment, please advise us in good time so we can make suitable arrangements. Any information provided will be treated confidentially. To discuss this further, please call 028 9041 2000 and ask to speak to a member of the People & Culture team.
Job Details
* Seniority level: Mid-Senior level
* Employment type: Full-time
* Job function: Finance, Administrative, and General Business
* Industries: Financial Services, Professional Services, and Business Consulting and Services
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