SIPP Client Services Manager

The Vanguard Group; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading investment firm in Manchester is seeking a SIPP Client Services Manager to lead and develop their client service team. This role requires significant experience in the financial services sector, with strong leadership skills and a focus on client satisfaction. The position offers competitive salary and benefits, along with flexibility through hybrid working. Join a dynamic team dedicated to enhancing client experiences and driving operational efficiency.

Benefits

Discretionary annual bonus

Pension scheme with employer contributions

Private medical cover and income protection

Access to flexible benefits including tech scheme and cycle to work

Qualifications

• Significant experience within the financial services sector.
• Strong understanding of pension legislation and regulatory frameworks.
• Excellent communication skills - written, verbal, and interpersonal.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of client service associates.
• Drive process optimisation and automation to improve efficiency.
• Represent Client Services in cross-functional projects.

Skills

Customer Service

Client Support

Action Plans

Issue Resolution

Account Management

Job description

Role Summary

The SIPP Client Services Manager is a newly-created role reporting to the Retirement Client Services Manager in our direct-to-consumer platform UK Personal Investor (UKPI). UKPI is the fastest growing retail platform in the UK and pensions and retirement services are at the heart of how we intend to develop our client proposition. Vanguard aims to win in retirement and this role will be critical in enabling that success.

You must be an exceptionally strong leader with a track record of building and leading high-performing teams. We're looking for someone who has a passion for clients and will help ensure that we effectively scale our business and drive increased efficiency in our operating model. This role is perfect for someone who is visionary about how retirement offers may evolve over time to provide scalable solutions to investors.

Our office is in the exclusive Landmark Building at St Peters Square prime office space in the heart of an exciting and dynamic city. Our Manchester hub will be dedicated to continuing our core purpose; giving investors the best chance for investment success.

Manchester is an obvious choice for Vanguard's second UK office; a city that matches our ambition and diversity. We are committed to building a team there that builds on our culture and showcases our values of Care Inclusion Integrity and Tenacity.

About Vanguard

Vanguard is an investment company unlike any other. It was founded by Jack Bogle in the US in 1975 on a simple but revolutionary idea : that an investment company should manage its funds solely in the interests of its clients. Jack helped bring investing to the masses with the index fund. Index funds do not pick individual shares or bonds to beat the market. They track the performance of the entire market. Or as Jack put it Dont look for the needle in the haystack. Just buy the haystack!. We have stood for low-cost uncomplicated investing ever since. Over the last 45 years people have come round to our way of thinking and more than 30 million investors worldwide now trust us with their money.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead coach and develop a team of client service associates and specialists.
• Foster a culture of accountability collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Conduct regular one-to-ones and performance reviews supporting career progression and succession planning.
• Act as the escalation point for complex client queries and complaints.
• Drive process optimisation and automation to improve efficiency and client outcomes.
• Collaborate with technology and data teams to enhance CRM and telephony systems.
• Monitor KPIs and SLAs implementing corrective actions where necessary.
• Liaise with internal teams including Compliance Risk and Oversight.
• Represent Client Services in cross-functional projects and strategic initiatives.
• Ensure adherence to FCA guidelines and internal governance frameworks.
• Champion upskilling succession planning and leadership development for high performers.
• Foster a culture of growth and engagement empowering specialists and team members to innovate.
• Lead and develop the most technically skilled SIPP team driving quality excellence and spearheading continuous improvement.
• Shape the pension proposition by analysing client trends and feeding insights into product and service design.
• Represent the function in governance and strategic forums influencing policy and client experience.
• Drive adoption of new technologies (AI automation analytics) to improve efficiency and client outcomes.
• Oversee resource planning and workforce optimisation to align capacity with strategic priorities.

Essential Skills & Experience

Significant experience within the financial services sector.

Strong understanding of pension legislation and regulatory frameworks.

Excellent communication skills - written verbal and interpersonal.

Ability to manage complex client scenarios and deliver compliant solutions.

Proven experience in managing projects and driving operational change.

Industry certifications (e.g. CII PMI).

A track record of successfully leading and building teams with a strong client focus and a proven ability to develop and lead a diverse multi-functional group with care. Comfortable taking tough decisions when needed.

Location & Working Pattern

Based in Manchester with hybrid working options available.

Occasional travel to other UK offices may be required.

Salary & Benefits

Competitive salary.

Discretionary annual bonus.

Pension scheme with employer contributions.

Private medical cover and income protection.

Access to flexible benefits including tech scheme and cycle to work.

How We Work

Vanguard has implemented a hybrid working model for the majority of our crew members designed to capture the benefits of enhanced flexibility while enabling in-person learning collaboration and connection. We believe our mission-driven and highly collaborative culture is a critical enabler to support long-term client outcomes and enrich the employee experience.

Required Experience :

Manager

Key Skills

• Customer Service
• Client Expectations
• Client Requirements
• Client Support
• Action Plans
• Issue Resolution
• Account Management
• Client Relationships
• Service Delivery
• Client Service
• Client Satisfaction
• Client Management
• Procedures
• Service Level Agreements
• New Clients

Employment Type :

Full-Time

Experience :

years

Vacancy :

1