Associate (Senior Client Relationship Manager)

Barnett Waddingham; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Pension plan

Private medical cover

Life assurance

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Barnett Waddingham in the United Kingdom is seeking a Senior Client Relationship Manager to lead a portfolio within our Pension Administration division. Hybrid role across UK offices, combining strategic relationship development with growth initiatives.

You will act as a trusted adviser on defined benefit pensions, manage client budgets, and deliver high-quality consultancy and governance reporting. The role demands strong leadership, excellent communication, and the ability to drive

Qualifications

• Significant client-facing experience within pension administration.
• Proven defined benefit pensions consultancy and advisory skills.
• Pensions or related professional qualifications (APMI/FPMI or equivalent).
• Strong budget management and commercial awareness.
• Excellent communication and leadership abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and strengthen client relationships with a portfolio of new and existing clients, acting as a trusted adviser.
• Provide pensions consultancy support and technical guidance on administration issues, negotiating fees, and resolving client issues or complaints.
• Manage significant client budgets, fee proposals, and deliver work within agreed costs.
• Contribute to strategic plans for the function area and create implementation plans for the specific function team; support on function‑specific client relationships and engage in business development activities.
• Prioritise and deliver client deliverables on multiple projects while meeting internal obligations.
• Lead business development, client retention, cross‑selling opportunities, and promote the firm within the industry.
• Lead client meetings, service reviews, and meetings with prospects, presenting reports, proposals and presentations.
• Identify growth opportunities and nurture through the business development lifecycle, including up‑selling and cross‑selling services into other business areas.
• Attend seminars and lead new business pitches, taking accountability for growing the client portfolio.
• Identify potential risks, and proactively manage compliance, information security, and legislative changes, formulating strategies to address them.
• Ensure client satisfaction using MI, support and implement information security procedures, and keep clients informed of legislative changes.
• Coach junior team members while maintaining accountability for delegated work.

Skills

Client relationships

Pensions consultancy

Budget management

Business development

Presentation skills

Stakeholder management

Job description

Senior Client Relationship Manager

We’re seeking an inspired leader for an exciting, permanent opportunity to join our Pension Administration business area, based from any of our UK offices (hybrid working). This key strategic role combines exceptional client relationship development and management with business growth responsibilities within the pensions industry.

Responsibilities

• Lead and strengthen client relationships with a portfolio of new and existing clients, acting as a trusted adviser.
• Act as a subject matter expert, providing pensions consultancy support and technical guidance on administration issues, negotiating fees, and resolving client issues or complaints.
• Manage significant client budgets, fee proposals, and deliver work within agreed costs.
• Contribute to strategic plans for the function area and create implementation plans for the specific function team; support on function‑specific client relationships and engage in business development activities.
• Prioritise and deliver client deliverables on multiple projects while meeting internal obligations.
• Lead business development, client retention, cross‑selling opportunities, and promote the firm within the industry.
• Lead client meetings, service reviews, and meetings with prospects, presenting reports, proposals and presentations.
• Identify growth opportunities and nurture through the business development lifecycle, including up‑selling and cross‑selling services into other business areas.
• Attend seminars and lead new business pitches, taking accountability for growing the client portfolio.
• Identify potential risks, and proactively manage compliance, information security, and legislative changes, formulating strategies to address them.
• Ensure client satisfaction using MI, support and implement information security procedures, and keep clients informed of legislative changes.
• Coach junior team members while maintaining accountability for delegated work.

Qualifications

• Significant client‑facing experience at a high level within an organisation administering pension schemes.
• Proven experience of defined benefit pensions and the ability to provide pensions consultancy, acting as a subject matter expert on administration issues.
• Pensions (PMI) or related business qualifications with a recognised professional body, preferably APMI / FPMI (or equivalent).
• Demonstrated understanding of pension market needs across all sectors with in‑depth knowledge of pension administration.
• Proven commercial awareness and experience of budgetary control.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to be an effective team player with team‑management capabilities.
• Ability and confidence to host meetings and present to larger audiences.
• High level of professionalism.

Benefits

• Competitive discretionary annual bonus.
• Generous pension scheme – 8% employer contribution from day one.
• Core benefits paid by BW: life assurance, group income protection, private medical cover, and 25 days holiday per year with holiday trading.
• Employee Assistance Programme to support you and your family.
• A range of voluntary benefits: electric car leasing scheme, tech scheme, cycle‑to‑work scheme, dental cover, healthcare cash plan, health assessments, critical illness cover, extension of private medical cover or life assurance to family members, sports allowance (up to 50% of gym membership), travel insurance, paid volunteering, and discounts at many retailers.

Accessibility

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you require reasonable adjustments or would like more information on accessibility, please contact us.