Client Relationship Manager Associate

Client Relationship Manager Associate - Pension Schemes

Associate
Full Time
Permanent
Various locations

XPS Group is a leading UK consulting and administration business specialising in the pensions and insurance sectors. At XPS, our vision is to create a vibrant place to work where difference is recognised as a strength and where talented people can flourish and achieve their highest potential.

This role will provide client relationship management support to our large pension administration schemes. Our Client Management business continues to grow and we are now looking for a professional and experienced Client Relationship Manager to join our vibrant office with remote or hybrid working. This position could be contractually based at any of the following Administration offices: Edinburgh, Leeds, Middlesbrough, Birmingham, Reading, London.

This is an exciting role and would most likely suit someone with significant experience working within the Pensions Administration business of a third party administrator. The role requires a combination of strong technical skills and experience of managing client relationships.

The Client Relationship Manager Associate will be responsible for helping to develop the overall relationship with the client from an administrative perspective and maintaining high levels of satisfaction with the service from both the client and members alike.

The Role

Assist in providing an effective and efficient pensions administration service to XPS Administration clients, supporting Client Relationship Managers, the administration teams and actively contributing to the overall objectives of the Company.

• Ensuring the efficient and effective delivery of client work to agreed deadlines to comply with legislative and clients' requirements.
• Assisting with day to day management of client relationships with trustees, scheme members and corporate clients.
• Preparing for and where appropriate participating in trustee meetings.
• Managing complex pensions queries and pensions consultative advice.
• Assisting with management of ad-hoc projects and exercises, e.g. scheme closure, data audit reports, liability reduction exercises. Ensuring projects are fully monitored and completed in line with customer and legislation requirements.
• Monitoring on-going procedural developments and implementing changes to procedures where required.
• Contributing to technical sub-committees (TSC) and technical administration discussions.
• Assisting in managing the administration billing process.
• Keeping abreast of technical and legislative developments within the pensions industry.
• Working closely with other departments / teams both internal and external to the Company in order to provide a total service to our clients. E.g. Pensions Accounts, Payroll, Administration Support and ITM (3rd party IT software provider).
• Assisting in the management of new business tenders and presentations.
• Due to the changing nature of the business, you may from time to time be required to undertake other activities of a similar nature that fall within your capabilities.

Your Profile

Essential Criteria

• You must be able to demonstrate a thorough knowledge of pension administration activities and the ability to apply this knowledge to any scheme.
• Experience of Defined Benefits (DB) and / or Defined Contribution (DC) schemes is required.
• You must be able to demonstrate a very wide knowledge of the various key areas of pensions legislation including pensions taxation, contracting out and preservation.
• Proven experience of handling complex member queries and calculations is essential.
• Previous presentational experience is required in order to assist in leading client meetings and new business presentations.
• Previous project management experience would be required to assist in leading pension administration project based work.
• IT proficient, in particular Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook & PowerPoint.
• Educated to a minimum of three C grades or above at A Level or equivalent qualification.
• Maths and English GCSE or equivalent qualification - minimum grade B.
• Part APMI (or deemed 'qualified by experience').
• A self-motivated approach; taking personal responsibility for personal and technical continuous professional development and being seen as a source of advice to others.
• The ability to proactively take ownership and responsibility for own workload.
• Enthusiastic, positive and flexible approach to work.
• Good interpersonal abilities, able to forge strong working relationships with colleagues and clients.
• Positive personal impact qualities such as leadership, influencing and motivating skills together with a consultative approach to the management of change.
• Meticulous attention to detail and tenacity to pursue issues to their conclusion.
• Confident communicator, able to communicate effectively, professionally and concisely in writing, face to face and/or over the telephone.
• An ability to work as part of a multi-disciplined team.
• Well-developed analytical and problem solving skills.
• An ability to recognise the need for a customer focused approach to their service delivery both in terms of quality and exceeding customer expectations.
• Good organisational and planning skills.
• An ability to support colleagues and share knowledge to the benefit of the team and/or wider Company.
• A good knowledge of English grammar and spelling, and the ability to write in plain English.
• An ability to digest complex technical information and present it to clients and colleagues in a clear and simplified manner relevant to them.
• Sound commercial awareness.
• An ability to identify ways of improving quality, service delivery and efficiencies in processes and procedures.
• Good time management skills and the ability to work to tight deadlines and manage conflicting demands on one's time.
• Well-developed project management skills and the ability to see projects/tasks from concept through to completion within given timescales.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary
• Participation in annual discretionary Bonus Scheme
• 25 days holiday plus flexibility to buy or sell holiday
• Flexible Bank holidays
• Pension scheme, matching contribution structure
• Healthcare cash plan
• Flexible Benefits Scheme to support you in and out of work, helping you look after you and your family covering Security & Protection, Health & Wellbeing, Lifestyle
• Life Assurance cover, four times basic salary
• XPS Rewards (offers High Street discounts and savings from retailers and services providers as well as offers available via phone)
• Employee Assistance Programme for you and your household
• Access to a digital GP service
• Paid volunteering day when participating in Company organised events
• Staff referral scheme when you introduce a friend to XPS

What Next

If you feel XPS could be the next step on your career ladder, please apply directly via the links provided and we look forward to learning more about you. We will consider all applicants and respond swiftly.

Please discuss with the recruitment team, via phone or email, if you require any adjustments to the recruitment process. For example, we can provide materials in an alternative format, or give you extra time in interviews or tests.

The Successful Candidate Will Need To Demonstrate The Following Requirements

• Right to Work confirmation
• DBS Disclosure check
• Employment or educational references covering five years
• Satisfactory credit check

We continuously strive to build an inclusive workplace where all forms of diversity are valued, including age, background, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, race, religion or sexual orientation.