Client Relationship Manager

Trafalgar House Pensions Administration; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Trafalgar House Pensions Administration in London is seeking an experienced client relationship manager to oversee a portfolio of pension clients, delivering proactive service and strategic guidance, acting as main contact for trustees and contract managers.

You will own contractual terms, negotiate financially, identify opportunities, and may train as scheme secretary; the role requires independence, organisation, and strong pensions knowledge to protect and grow revenue.

Qualifications

• Experience as a CRM within a pension administration (or consulting) environment is essential.
• Strong understanding of UK pensions administration market.
• At least 5 years pensions administration experience working in a client facing role for a variety of scheme sizes and types.
• PMI qualified or equivalent.
• Strong understanding of pensions legislation, regulations and other relevant guidance.
• Ability to be credible and convincing in front of clients, trustees and other decision makers.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical advice and guidance to clients.
• Oversee and report on client projects and day-to-day service.
• Develop and deliver competitive commercial proposals.
• Attend Trustee and client meetings to present reports/updates.
• Maintain client feedback and strategic plans with stakeholders.
• Produce management information and client service reports.
• Collaborate with internal teams to develop solutions and manage projects.
• Act as escalation point for client or member issues, propose solutions.

Skills

CRM experience

Pensions knowledge

Regulatory understanding

Stakeholder management

MS Office

Written English

Education

Higher / A-level or equivalent

Industry qualification

PMI qualified

Job description

We are searching for an experienced client relationship manager to assume accountability for a portfolio of clients, ensuring that we consistently deliver an excellent proactive service. Acting as the main point of contact for client contract managers, trustees and senior stakeholders you will develop the client relationship to protect and grow revenue. A strong understanding of administration practices, processes and regulation is essential as you will be required to independently develop and implement solutions whilst providing technical advice. Essential to the role is managing and developing senior relationship with clients at both trustee and corporate level. You will take ownership of contractual arrangements, financial and commercial negotiations with clients covering the initial term, extensions and renewals. You will proactively identify and promote commercial business opportunities either through the management of ongoing retained contracts or through new business opportunities. Our client team also specialises in providing scheme secretariat and governance services, so you will also be trained to act as a scheme secretary. Key to this element of the role is the ability to be highly organised, proactive, understand risk as well as thinking strategically. Key to the success of this role is the ability to work independently to develop strategies and solutions to the benefit of our clients. You will need to place yourself in the shoes of our clients by critically analysing, questioning and adapting documents and solutions to meet their needs; whilst also having the skills and confidence to clearly present complex concepts and materials. This is a client-facing role and a strategically important function within the overall service proposition. You must be a confident problem solver with the experience and expertise to develop strong mutually beneficial client relationships.

Professional Qualities

Essential

• Experience as a CRM within a pension administration (or consulting) environment is essential
• Educated to Higher / A-level or equivalent and / or attained relevant industry qualification
• To have a strong appreciation of the UK pensions administration market
• At least 5 years pensions administration experience working in a client facing role for a variety of scheme sizes and types
• PMI qualified or equivalent
• Strong understanding of pensions legislation, regulations and other relevant guidance
• Ability to be credible and convincing in front of clients, trustees and other decision makers
• Ability to understand complex issues and handle challenging questions with credibility and ease
• Ability to cope with competing demands and to prioritise tasks

Personal Qualities

• Highly disciplined and organised, with well-honed self-management skills and the ability to work alone effectively
• Demonstrable strong interpersonal skills
• High degree of personal drive and ambition
• Articulate, with a high standard of written English
• Strong MS Office skills
• Capable of acting as an ambassador for Trafalgar House
• Gravitas to interact and communicate effectively with clients and colleagues
• Contribute positively to all internal and external meetings attended
• Confidentiality and discretion maintained at all times

Key Responsibilities

• Support clients by providing technical advice and guidance
• Provide oversight and reporting on client projects, as well as the day-to-day operational service
• Participate in devising and delivering competitive and profitable commercial proposals
• Attend Trustee and client meetings to present reports/updates
• Keep all internal stakeholders informed of client feedback and strategic plans
• Ensure timely provision of management information for clients and Client Relationship Managers. This includes the production of client service reports
• Develop a positive working relationship with all operational teams and internal stakeholders to develop solutions, resolve issues and manage projects
• Act as an escalation point for client or member issues, developing and recommending solutions to satisfactorily resolve problems
• Be proactive and assist in bringing industry developments, service enhancements and innovations to clients' attention
• Participate in new business presentations
• Host, lead meetings, take minutes and maintain trustee documentation as part of the trustee secretariat function
• Ensuring projects are delivered in compliance with AAF01/06, ISO27001 and other internal standards.
• Read and understood the key policies in the business continuity strategy and understand what may be required should it be necessary to implement the BCMS

Internal

• Support and work closely with the Client Relationship Managers in all aspects of the role
• Devise, develop and implement competitive and innovative solutions working with internal colleagues
• Carry out such other duties as may reasonably fall within the remit of the post
• Participate and actively contribute to internal committees
• Create technical legislative or regulatory guidance summaries for clients

Performance indicators / Measures of Success

• Help ensure high levels of client satisfaction by meeting and exceeding client expectations in relation to delivery of services, reports and deadlines
• Demonstrates integrity and professional standards at all times
• Positive feedback from clients on client management related activities
• Demonstrates technical pensions knowledge and puts this into practice in delivering value to clients and colleagues
• Demonstrates commercial acumen in negotiating and agreeing proposals to clients
• Seeks personal development opportunities
• Acts as a role model and point of reference for colleagues
• Strong working relationship with all colleagues is evident. Contributes positively to all meetings attended
• Develops skills to take ownership of client relationships and / or trustee secretarial role for a portfolio of clients over time