Pensions Solicitor — De-risking, 2+ PQE

Ardent; City Of London; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Ardent in London seeks a pensions solicitor with around 2+ years’ PQE to join its in-house pensions legal team. You will work on buy-in and buy-out transactions, advising on pension de-risking, insurance and financial services considerations, and help structure and deliver deals from inside an insurer.

You will contribute to the broader bulk annuity market, grow your technical skills, and take on meaningful responsibility within a rapidly evolving area at the intersection of pensions and

Qualifications

• 2+ years PQE in pensions
• Exposure to pension de-risking work
• Experience handling transactions in a corporate/insurance setting

Responsibilities

• Advise on buy-in and buy-out transactions and bulk annuity matters
• Provide commercial and regulatory pension guidance to the business
• Draft and negotiate documentation for de-risking deals and related activities

Skills

Pensions law

De-risking

In-house experience

Job description

Help shape the next chapter of pensions

Looking for a move beyond the traditional private practice route? This is an opportunity to join the in-house legal team of a major life insurer and work close to one of the most significant developments in the UK pensions market: the de-risking of defined benefit pension schemes.

Insurers play a central role in this market. In a buy-in, a scheme purchases an insurance policy to cover some or all of its pension liabilities; in a buy-out, the insurer takes direct responsibility for paying members’ benefits. These transactions bring together pensions law, insurance, finance and long-term member outcomes.

The team is looking for a pension solicitor with around 2+ years’ post-qualification experience, including exposure to pension de-risking work. You’ll have the chance to build on your experience from inside an insurer, seeing how transactions are assessed, structured and delivered, and how legal advice supports the business throughout the process.

The opportunity

Work alongside an experienced in-house pensions legal team. Develop your understanding of buy-in and buy-out transactions and the broader bulk annuity market. Advise on matters at the intersection of pensions, insurance and financial services. Gain a closer view of the commercial and operational considerations behind de-risking deals. Take on meaningful responsibility while continuing to grow your technical skills. This role could suit a junior solicitor who has enjoyed pensions work in private practice and wants to see the market from the insurer’s perspective. You’ll join a business operating at the forefront of a rapidly evolving area of pensions, with the opportunity to deepen your expertise and contribute to work that affects schemes and their members.