Associate, Pensions (NQ-4PQE)

Eversheds Sutherland; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working policy

Hybrid working

Dental, healthcare & wellness support

Diversity & inclusion

Career development & mentoring

Job summary

Eversheds Sutherland in Birmingham seeks an Associate (NQ to 4PQE) to join its market‑leading Pensions team. You will advise a diverse client base, including corporates, pension providers and trustees, on governance, regulatory and transactional matters.

This is a busy, collaborative role with early responsibility, client exposure and clear development opportunities within a leading UK pensions practice.

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor in England and Wales with 0–4 years’ post qualification experience.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Ability to build relationships with clients and stakeholders at different levels.
• Commercial and pragmatic approach to problem solving.
• Interest in pensions law and technology, including AI tools.
• Prior public sector pensions experience is helpful but not required.

Responsibilities

• Advising employers and trustees on a broad range of pensions matters.
• Advising on public sector pensions matters.
• Drafting and reviewing legal documents and client communications.
• Supporting on pensions aspects of corporate transactions, restructuring and employment matters.
• Advising on scheme governance, administration and regulatory compliance.
• Collaborating with cross-practice teams to provide integrated client solutions.
• Building and maintaining strong client relationships.
• Preparing client training materials and delivering sessions.
• Contributing to business development and thought leadership.

Skills

Analytical skills

Client relationships

Commercial & pragmatic

Pensions law interest

AI tools familiarity

Education

Solicitor qualification – England & Wales

Job description

We are Eversheds Sutherland, a global law firm, with more than 5,000 people across over 30 countries. We're full-service with deep niche and sector experience. Whatever challenge, wherever in the world, we're equipped and ready to meet it. We live our values, we're purposeful and purpose‑led. So although the world is fast‑moving and rapidly changing, we see it as a place where everyone can thrive. We're ambitious for our clients, our communities – and for you. Whether you're starting out on your career or well established, whether you're a lawyer or in business services. If you're looking for what's next, we are too.

The Opportunity

We're looking for an Associate (NQ to 4PQE) to join our market‑leading Pensions team in Birmingham.

The Birmingham team advises a diverse client base, ranging from household‑name corporates, pension providers and trustees of pension schemes to public sector organisations and higher education institutions. The team is recognised for delivering pragmatic, commercial advice across a broad spectrum of pensions matters, combining high‑quality advisory work with strategic client relationships.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a busy and collaborative team with a strong pipeline of work. You'll have the chance to work closely with experienced Partners and senior lawyers, gain direct client exposure from an early stage and build expertise across a wide range of pensions matters while developing your career within one of the UK’s leading pension practices.

Known for its supportive and collegiate culture, the Birmingham team works closely with colleagues in the Employment, Corporate and Banking teams to service clients together. Associates are encouraged to take responsibility early, build client relationships and play an active role in business development and team initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Typically, your responsibilities will include:

• Advising employers and trustees on a broad range of pensions matters and ensuring high quality work is delivered to agreed deadlines.
• Advising on public sector pensions matters.
• Drafting and reviewing legal documents, client communications and advisory materials.
• Supporting on pensions aspects of corporate transactions, restructuring and employment matters.
• Advising on scheme governance, administration and regulatory compliance issues.
• Working closely with colleagues across practice groups to provide integrated client solutions.
• Building and maintaining strong client relationships.
• Preparing client training materials and delivering training sessions.
• Contributing to business development initiatives and thought leadership activities.

Skills And Experience

We are interested in hearing from candidates who hold the following skills and experience:

• Qualified solicitor in England and Wales from newly qualified up to 4 years’ post qualification experience.
• Excellent analytical skills.
• Ability to build relationships with clients and stakeholders at different levels.
• A commercial and pragmatic approach to problem solving.
• Keen interest in pensions law.
• An interest in using technology, including AI tools, to support efficient and high‑quality legal service delivery.

Prior experience of pensions law is preferred but not essential. Experience of working with public sector clients is helpful but is not a requirement.

What’s in it for you?

At Eversheds Sutherland, we provide benefits focused on looking after you: your development, your performance, your financial future and your health, as well as providing the opportunity to make a contribution to the world.

• We're fair, transparent and equitable.
• We share in the success of the firm, reward alignment to our values, going above and beyond and your individual performance.
• We support flexible ways of working through our remote working policy and commitment to flexible, agile and hybrid ways of working.
• We support your health and performance through our dental, healthcare and wellness support.
• We support everything you are and all you bring through our powerful commitment to diversity and inclusion.
• We provide a platform for your career, whatever your ambitions through our structured professional and personal training, mentoring and development programs.
• We provide experience and opportunity through international and cross-function exposure.
• We provide an opportunity to give back through our pro bono work and community engagement.
• We help you plan ahead through retirement planning, insurance and assurance.

Diversity & Inclusion

At Eversheds Sutherland, "Inclusive" is a core business value. We bring together different skillsets, global mindsets and approaches. We foster diversity of thought and the freedom to put ideas into action. We have an inherent respect for the individual. We have a strong belief in collaboration and teamwork. Sharing ideas, asking questions, solving challenges and meeting our clients’ goals: together.

We want all our people to thrive at work and reach their full potential and we work hard to continue to build a diverse and inclusive culture, monitor and report on our progress and impact, and develop our approach. This is reflected in our policies, systems and processes, and in our work with diversity membership organisations.

Many of our people work flexibly in some way and we are open to considering how we can accommodate flexible working arrangements alongside role requirements. If this is important to you, please talk to us about it during the recruitment process.

We want you to perform at your best during our recruitment process. If there is any adjustment or support you need, please contact us so we can discuss how we can best assist you.

For you,

For your success.

And what's next.