Principal Pensions Administrator

Principal Pensions Administrator

Join to apply for the Principal Pensions Administrator role at Spence & Partners Limited.

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. Spence & Partners provides full pension actuarial, consulting, investment consulting and administration services that provide simply smarter solutions for trustees, employers and members and Mantle, which reimagines the traditional models of defined benefit pensions administration and actuarial valuation software.

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.

Are you ready to take the lead on some of the most complex and rewarding challenges in pensions administration? As a Principal Pensions Administrator, you’ll act as the key point of contact for trustees and advisers, ensuring that Defined Benefit (DB) schemes are managed with precision, compliance, and outstanding client service.

This is a role where your technical expertise, leadership skills, and commercial awareness come together. You’ll take ownership of entire schemes, oversee and authorise the most complex cases, and provide guidance to colleagues at every level. From attending trustee meetings and presenting reports to leading major exercises such as buy-ins, buyouts, and GMP equalisation, you’ll also support Spence’s business development by building trusted client relationships and contributing to new opportunities.

At Spence, we’re continuing to grow, and you’ll play an important part in that journey. You’ll be joining a collaborative and supportive team where your knowledge is valued, your impact is recognised, and your contribution helps shape the future of our pensions services.

• At least 8 years’ experience in DB pension administration
• Extensive experience in Defined Benefit (DB) pensions 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.

• Working hours:
  
  Monday to Friday, 37.5 hours per week with additional hours as and when required.
• Location:
  
  UK-wide with opportunity available in Belfast, Manchester or Glasgow
• All roles are subject to a…