Senior Associate - Risk Settlement (Broking)

XPS Group; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday

Pension matching

Healthcare plans

Life assurance

Retailer discounts

Volunteer days

Referral bonuses

Job summary

XPS Group is a leading UK pensions and insurance consultancy, seeking a Senior Associate in Risk Settlement to support trustees and corporate clients. The role involves advising on risk transfer options, broking transactions, and data cleansing for buy‑ins and wind‑ups.

You will work with the Risk Settlement team, manage client workstreams, and contribute to process improvements while developing specialist knowledge in this area. A hybrid working arrangement is on offer.

Qualifications

• Experience working with UK DB pension schemes.
• Excellent planning and deadline management in a support role.
• Strong written and verbal communication, able to draft client guidance.
• Good stakeholder management and relationship building with colleagues and providers.
• Willingness to develop expertise in Risk Settlement.

Responsibilities

• Drafting reports, emails and presentations to deliver results and advice.
• Managing clients, allocating work and meeting deadlines with the lead Risk Settlement Advisors.
• Reviewing quotation materials for data accuracy and completeness.
• Attending client meetings and contributing to new business initiatives.
• Building insurer relationships and contributing to process improvements.
• Developing knowledge of Risk Settlement products and providers in the market.

Skills

DB pensions experience

Planning skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

Stakeholder management

Client management

Education

Actuarial background

Job description

Senior Associate - Risk Settlement

Location: Flexible
Employment Type: Fixed Term, Full Time
Grade: Senior Associate
Hybrid:

XPS Group is a prominent and growing UK consultancy and administration firm within the pensions and insurance sectors. As a FTSE 250 company with over 2000 employees, we leverage expertise alongside advanced technology to serve over 1,400 pension schemes and their sponsors. Our goal is to foster a workplace where diverse talents thrive.

About the Role

The Risk Settlement team has experienced material growth in the past 2-3 years and continues to grow, with a 40% increase in revenues for FY25 expected. As part of this, we are looking for an ambitious and experienced Associate or Senior Associate to join our team, to work alongside our lead brokers on bulk annuity transactions.

As part of this, we advise Trustees and Corporate clients on a wide range of Risk Settlement matters, including:

• Helping them to understand the risks within their pension schemes and what products are in the market to assist with mitigating or transferring those risks.
• Providing strategic journey planning advice and monitoring progress made.
• Advising clients on how to position their schemes to ensure engagement from the insurance market.
• Leading broking projects, including requesting insurer quotations, negotiating on pricing and terms and executing transactions.
• Working with schemes that have transacted a buy‑in to help them through the data‑cleanse, buyout and wind‑up workstreams.

Key Responsibilities

• Drafting reports, emails and presentations to deliver results and advice.
• Client management, taking responsibility for allocation and completion of work, and meeting deadlines, working directly with the lead Risk Settlement Advisors and the wider team.
• Drafting and reviewing quotation request materials including reviewing data for accuracy and completeness.
• Attending client meetings, taking an active role where applicable.
• Playing a role in new business initiatives.
• Assisting the team in building and maintaining strong insurer relationships.
• Developing and maintaining a good understanding of Risk Settlement products and providers in the market, including developing personal relationships with key contacts at insurers.
• Developing internal processes and identifying new ways to work more efficiently.
• Taking a proactive role in personal development/training.
• Becoming a specialist expert and being visible in your location as one of the points of contact for Risk Settlement matters.

Essential

• Experience working in DB pensions.
• Broad understanding of how UK pensions schemes operate, with an understanding of UK DB Pensions.
• Excellent planning skills with the ability to prioritise and complete work in accordance with deadlines in a support role.
• Well‑developed written and verbal communication skills. Confident and able to draft advice in simplified terms for the use of clients, consultants, and more junior team members.
• Good stakeholder management.
• Aptitude for learning and ability to build rapport swiftly with colleagues, clients and providers.

Desirable

• Some experience of Risk Settlement work through existing client portfolio or previous role(s).
• Some experience on project‑based work and dealing with various stakeholders (internal and external).
• Actuarial background.

What We Offer

Enjoy a competitive salary, annual discretionary bonus, and 25 days’ holiday with buy/sell flexibility. Benefits include pension matching, healthcare plans, life assurance, and retailer discounts. We support our team with a flexible benefits scheme, employee assistance, and digital GP service. Participating in volunteering events is encouraged with paid volunteer days available. Referral bonuses are offered for introducing suitable candidates to XPS.

Equal Opportunities Statement

XPS Group is committed to diversity and equal opportunities. We welcome applications from all candidates, irrespective of sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion, or belief. As a Disability Confident employer, we ensure accessible and supportive work settings for all employees.

Eligibility

Any employment offer made will be conditional upon you satisfying DBS Disclosure checks, employment or educational references, satisfactory credit checks and eligibility to work in the UK before an offer can be made. XPS Group is not able to provide sponsorship to employees.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit applications via the Apply Now option or contact [e-mail] for more information. Join XPS Group and contribute to a dynamic and inclusive workplace.

To find out more please visit: www.xpsgroup.com