Pensions Managing Associate

Trades Workforce Solutions; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading pensions advisory firm in London seeks a Managing Associate with a strong focus on pensions law. The ideal candidate will have experience advising on occupational pension arrangements and possess excellent skills in client management and business development. As a member of a successful team, you will be involved in strategic growth and have the opportunity for partnership. The firm offers a competitive salary and flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Flexible working arrangements

Family friendly policies

Private health and dental care

Gym discount

Qualifications

• Experience advising trustees and employers on occupational pension arrangements.
• Technical proficiency in pensions law including deed amendments and scheme mergers.
• Capability in managing client relationships and supervising associates.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and draft legal advice clearly and concisely.
• Manage client matters and financial management effectively.
• Support partners in strategy implementation and business development.

Skills

Client relationship management

Pensions law expertise

Business development

Attention to detail

Team collaboration

Education

Qualified lawyer in England and Wales

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

We will offer you a place where you can be yourself and where there are no limits on what you can achieve. With us, you can take ownership of your career and have honest conversations throughout. You would join an ambitious firm with a clear strategy for profitable growth where you can gain early responsibility and early involvement in growing the business. Here you can expect a competitive and fair reward as well as recognition based on all round performance. This forms part of our internal promise to you, The Deal, between the firm and its employees.

We offer a competitive salary and a host of family friendly policies, life assurance, private health and dental care for you and your family, a range of flexible benefits including gym discount and retail vouchers, tech, cycle and electric car schemes. We support the causes you care about, by giving you one day per year off to volunteer with any charity that you are involved with outside of work. Our wellbeing strategy focuses on preventative measures to maintain overall health, and tools and support for when our people experience physical or mental difficulties. The strategy focuses on four pillars: physical, emotional, financial and social aspects. Most of our roles are hybrid, meaning that colleagues benefit from working in our office and remotely. We are happy to discuss this and other flexible working arrangements with you as part of the application and interview process.

We are an equal opportunity organisation, committed to having a diverse workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, culture, or any other protected characteristics. We aim to create a culture where everyone can be themselves and is valued for their strengths and unique perspectives.

JOB TITLE

Managing Associate

DEPARTMENT

Pensions

REPORTING TO

Stephen Richards and Estella Bogira

LOCATION

1 Finsbury Circus, London EC2M 7SH

TEAM STRUCTURE

We are an established and successful Pensions Advisory practice with a strong team all based on London. We have three Partners, two Of Counsel, two mid-level Associates, two junior Associates, three Consultants, a Senior Knowledge Development Lawyer and a Trainee. We work closely with our pensions disputes colleagues, as well as other specialist areas such as funds, data protection, cyber security, banking and corporate. Our focus is specialist pensions advice, with limited corporate support work. Our team of experts help trustees, employers, charities, institutions, master trusts, high net worth individuals and public bodies with their pensions issues. We are tier‑two ranked in Legal 500 and tier one for pensions disputes. Clients commend our pensions team for "high quality advice across every area of work that we have asked them about - drawing on specialist expertise from across SH as required." Our team and revenue has grown significantly in recent years as clients turn to us for our high‑quality advice at the right price‑point for the pensions market. The pensions team has very recent experience of a successful step up to partnership: partner Estella Bogira recently moved from Managing Associate following a similar partnership promotion plan and has already grown a successful practice advising pension scheme trustees, employers and high net worth individuals.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• Clear, concise and unambiguous preparation and drafting of legal advice.
• Being a responsible client lead capable of matter management, including the financial management of a matter.
• A self‑starter with a willingness to learn and share in the leadership of a team.
• A team‑player who can support the Partners on the implementation of the team and the firm's strategy.
• A contributor to know‑how and the technical skill of the team.
• Taking pride in the service given to clients.
• Contributing to the profile of the team and undertaking business development activities from the outset, including:
• Developing an internal and external network of contacts.
• Building excellent working relationships with clients and peers within Stephenson Harwood.
• Attending business development and profile‑raising events, including attending and speaking at conferences.
• Supervision of junior and mid‑level associates.

ATTRIBUTES / SKILLS REQUIRED

• We are looking to recruit a Managing Associate who wants the opportunity to join the partnership in due course.
• You will be a self‑starter with a network in the pensions industry.
• You will be supported by the firm's pre‑partnership training programmes and by the pensions advisory team's three established partners. Our aim is to provide a supportive environment to set you up for success as the team's next partner.
• You will enjoy business development and client management as well as being a good pensions lawyer.
• You will also have an enthusiasm to learn about the other aspects of being a Partner, such as what makes a successful Partner and what makes a successful pensions advisory practice.
• You will want to work closely with the three existing Partners in growing the practice.

QUALIFICATIONS

• England and Wales qualified lawyer, looking at progressing their career at an established firm with expertise in UK pensions, in particular:
• Experience in giving advice to trustees and employers on their occupational pension arrangements.
• A technically proficient pensions lawyer and has experience on key advisory pensions tasks such as deeds of amendment, scheme mergers, benefit specifications and day to day advice.
• Experience of managing client relationships and supervising associates; and
• Experience of the financial management of a matter.
• A keen interest in working in non‑contentious matters.
• Technical mindset, with a focus on accuracy and attention to detail.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Personable and positive attitude and enjoys working together in a team.
• We are looking for someone who has some ambition to move forward with their career in the coming years to partnership.

This job description is indicative only and does not represent an exhaustive list of responsibilities. The firm reserves the right to alter or change the responsibilities at any time, in line with the firm’s strategy and business.

If you require this document in an accessible format (e.g. large print), please contact hr.recruitment @stephensonharwood.com