Apprentice Pensions Officer

Suffolk County Council; Ipswich; Hybrid; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in the UK is looking for an Apprentice Pensions Officer to support their Pensions team. This role involves maintaining accurate records and assisting in the calculation and payment of pensions benefits. Applicants should have a keen eye for detail, good communication skills, and a motivation to learn. The apprenticeship lasts 20 months, with flexible working options available. If you're interested in growing your career in pensions, this is the perfect opportunity.

Benefits

Up to 29 days annual leave

Membership of Local Government Pension Scheme

Travel and lifestyle benefits

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple tasks.
• Good communication skills for explaining complex information clearly.

Responsibilities

• Assist in delivering a proactive pensions service.
• Maintain accurate records and support calculations.
• Provide clear written and verbal information to customers.

Skills

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Motivation to learn

Education

Level 2 English and maths qualifications grades 4-9 or C-A*

Job description

Job Details

Suffolk County Council

Address: Endeavour House, Ipswich IP1 2BX – Hybrid working

Salary: £25,185 per annum (pro rata for part time)

Hours: 37 hours per week – flexible working options available

Contract: Fixed term or secondment for up to 20 months (Apprenticeship)

Overview

When you join the Suffolk County Council Pensions team as an Apprentice Pensions Officer we’ll support your development from the start. We’ll help you to play to your strengths, diversify your skills and build an influential and impactful career. With a variety of career paths and learning opportunities to explore, if you’re motivated and passionate there’s no limit to how far your ambition could take you.

Reimagine the possibilities.

Responsibilities

As an Apprentice Pensions Officer, you will assist in delivering a proactive, efficient and effective pensions service. You’ll be responsible for creating and maintaining accurate records, supporting the calculation and payment of benefits in line with relevant legislation. Your duties will include carrying out a range of pensions administration tasks within set guidelines, calculating the full range of individual pension and related entitlements, and ensuring the service provided to customers is accurate, timely and compliant. You will also provide clear written and verbal information to customers and clients.

Are you ready to join?

Are you able to work to a high degree of accuracy? Can you remain calm under pressure and meet deadlines? Are you engaged, focused and motivated? If you’re interested in gaining a broad understanding of pensions and related procedures while developing valuable skills, this role is an excellent opportunity.

Apprenticeship Details

• Level 3 Pensions Administrator – Pensions administrator / Skills England
• Length of apprenticeship: 18 months plus 2 months for the end point assessment

We welcome apprenticeship applications from all ages and backgrounds. There's no upper age limit – it's never too late to start developing new skills. We want to provide opportunities for anyone interested in launching or advancing their career. The apprenticeship you're applying for must build on your qualifications. If you have experience in this field, the apprenticeship must be at a higher level.

Read the Job and Person Profile (Word) and the Apprenticeship Recruitment Brochure. During the apprenticeship, you'll be working towards the role described in the Job and Person Profile. You will have the opportunity to receive hands‑on training and pursue certification. Completing your apprenticeship does not guarantee a full‑time position. However, we are dedicated to helping you find a job. You will have priority access when you apply for vacancies. This applies during the final 3 months of your contract.

Requirements

• Level 2 English and maths qualifications grades 4-9* or C-A* (or help can be given for you to gain them whilst doing the apprenticeship)
• High attention to detail and accuracy
• Strong organisational skills to manage multiple tasks
• Good communication skills for explaining complex information clearly
• Commitment and motivation to learn and develop knowledge of pensions

The Team

The Pensions Team at Suffolk County Council is part of the Finance service, dedicated to delivering a proactive and efficient pensions administration service to customers, employers, and their employees. The team is committed to accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with relevant legislation, working collaboratively to support each other and provide expert guidance on complex pension queries. With a strong focus on professional development, inclusivity, and continuous improvement, the team values innovation, support, and a shared commitment to making a positive difference for Suffolk.

Equality & Inclusion

We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.

Contact

Please contact Stuart Potter for a casual conversation. You can reach him by calling 01473 260295 or by emailing [e-mail].

How to Apply

1. Read the Job and Person Profile (Word).
2. Click “Apply Now” to start your online application.
3. Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template.
   • Question 1 – Tell us what skills you have learned whilst at school/college, volunteering and/or working that you think will be useful to you in this role and why?
   • Question 2 – Tell us about something you are proud of and why?
   • Question 3 – Tell us about a time you've been really determined to do something, what did you do? What happened as a result?
   • Question 4 – Why are you interested in working for our organisation?
   • Question 5 – What are you hoping to gain from this apprenticeship?
   • Question 6 – Using our We Aspire values (see bottom of Job and Person Profile); tell us about a time or situation when you have demonstrated one of these values?
4. Upload a CV (without name and personal details). Please note: Without a supporting statement and CV, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.

We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We encourage you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process.

If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application process before the next selection stage, please contact our Recruitment Team by emailing [e-mail] or calling 03456 014412. If you are invited to the next stage of selection, you will have another opportunity to request adjustments for the next stages of the process.

Closing date: 11.30pm, 4 January 2026.
Interview date: 12 and 13 January 2026.
Promoted as FJ (Featured Job) on Suffolk Jobs Direct.
This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI-Hybrid

Benefits

• Up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
• Membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
• Performance‑related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost‑of‑living pay increase
• Training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
• A variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
• Diverse and active staff networks
• Flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day

Plus lots more! If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).