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.
Are you a recent graduate or a soon-to-be graduate in 2025, excited to kickstart your career in finance? Your search ends here, with XPS Group! As a rapidly expanding leader in the industry, our Pensions Consulting team is growing rapidly, and we're inviting talented graduates to become part of our thriving team. The role will be based from one of our vibrant offices in Leeds, Bristol or Reading where we offer a blend of office-based and hybrid work arrangements.
We are on the lookout for graduates who possess outstanding communication and relationship building skills, are keen to learn and are willing to voice their ideas. If you're someone with exceptional communication skills, unafraid to share your thoughts and genuinely interested in solving problems and mastering new concepts, we want to hear from you. At XPS, we believe in nurturing your potential and helping you become the best version of yourself.
When you join XPS, you embark on a diverse and exciting journey. We provide comprehensive on-the-job training that accelerates your skill development and knowledge
XPS is an award-winning Pensions Consultancy with over 1800 staff in 15 locations across the UK and our business continues to experience rapid growth. We value our people as we recognise they provide the key to our success. XPS Pensions provide pragmatic advice that addresses the specific and often complex challenges faced by UK pension schemes and their corporate sponsors. Our approach is to remove jargon and provide clients with access to the latest technology so that they can monitor scheme funding in real time, test scenarios and manage the range of pension scheme risks they face. The result is that our clients can make the best decisions and act quickly and efficiently.
Our mission is to help our clients manage the complex issues which impact their pension scheme in a pragmatic and understandable way. Communication is a key part of this.
We advise Trustees and Corporate clients on a wide range of areas, including:
- Helping them to understand the risks within their pension schemes and how they can manage this.
- Supporting clients and their members through the life cycle of the pension scheme. This runs from scheme set up and benefit design through to eventual scheme wind-up.
- Analyse new and changing legislation, regulation, and guidance to help clients understand what it means for their scheme and what actions they need to take.
- Supporting the governance of the pension scheme to ensure it is effectively and efficiently run for the ultimate benefit of the members.
- Identifying and advising on the financial and operational risks associated with pension schemes
- Developing effective communication plans to ensure scheme members are fully informed about their pensions and choices.
- Advising on the process and obligations involved in winding up a pension scheme.
We are very ambitious and want to continue our strong growth. As part of this we are committed to developing market leading tools and approaches for our clients. For example, our online funding software ‘Radar’ has been previously awarded Actuarial Software of the Year.
The role
As an Assistant Pensions Consultant, you will be working within our Trustee and Governance Services. You will play a pivotal role in advising clients on a wide range of pension-related matters to help them navigate the complexities of pension planning and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
This role involves variety of pensions client support activities including governance, strategy and management, working in a team supporting more experienced colleagues. Tasks provided by the team may include, but not be limited to:
- Assisting / advising pension scheme sponsors and Trustees as subject matter experts, pulling together the many complex and interrelated areas of pensions regulation, strategy, implementation and governance of the scheme.
- Contributing to the preparation and direction of Trustee meetings; working in collaboration with appointed legal advisers, actuaries, investment advisers, auditors and regulatory bodies.
- Assisting in communications to pension scheme members, complaints management, project management and negotiations with sponsoring employers.
- Assisting in the governance of a pension scheme – this may include the maintenance of a risk register, business plan, member nominated trustee election process, dispute resolution process and Trustee knowledge and understanding.
- Managing key projects - this may include the attendance of regular project calls, updating project plans, progressing key actions, managing risk and reporting on project progress and key performance indicators. Due to the changing nature of the business, the job holder may from time to time be required to undertake other activities of a similar nature that fall within their capabilities.
Your profile
We are looking for an Assistant Pensions Consultant who wants to learn and be part of this exciting period of growth. This role requires…
- The right to work in the UK
- A graduate with a strong academic background
- An inquisitive mind and a desire to learn
- An understanding of the value of good customer service
- Highly organised with the ability to prioritise effectively
- Highly motivated and driven to succeed
- Enjoy thinking independently and able to make decisions
- Outstanding accuracy and attention to detail
- Outstanding communication skills, written, oral and in presentation form
- Desire and ability to build great relationships with colleagues and clients
- Adaptable and a team-player
- Strong computer skills, particularly Microsoft Office
What we offer
We offer an attractive reward package, typical benefits can include:
- 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.
