Client Services Consultant

Starting Salary: From £40,000 per year

Job Type: Full-time | No weekends | 37.5-hour week

Flexible working: Choose between a 9-day fortnight (an extra day off every two weeks) or a standard Monday-Friday week with flexi time. 2 days working from home per week hybrid.

Key Responsibilities

• An experienced and knowledgeable professional who has worked in this sector for a number of years.
• Familiar with all elements of operating SSAS pension schemes.
• Capable of working unsupervised.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with clients, IFAs and key stakeholders.
• Handle general scheme correspondence.
• Handle all pension scheme investments, top-ups and sales, including standard and non-standard investments, loans, commercial property transactions and unquoted equity.
• Process retirement benefit and pension drawdown requests and arrange pension payment through pension payroll.
• Carry out fund split calculations for benefit and anniversary purposes.
• Handle various types of death benefit payment and ensure work is completed within regulatory deadlines.
• Handle any pension sharing orders on divorce cases and ensure work is completed within regulatory deadlines.
• Make pension scheme alterations.
• Process contributions, transfers-in and transfers-out.
• Liaise with banks, insurance companies and investment providers.
• Handle all pension scheme enquiries by telephone, email, in writing or face to face/video call.
• Attend and hold client/introducer meetings both on-site and externally.
• Issue standard reminder letters.
• Perform pension scheme administrative tasks which arise.
• File all regulatory returns, specifically pension scheme returns, event reports, accounting for tax returns and TPR returns.
• Update the back-office system.
• Produce Trust Deeds and Trustee Resolutions.
• Make clear and concise telephone and file notes and write both standard and non-standard letters in a clear, concise and grammatically correct manner.
• Provide exceptional customer service.
• Assist colleagues with queries and provide on-the-job training.
• Provide client operations information to the management team.
• Maintain an active CPD (Continuing Professional Development) log.
• Work within defined company policies and procedures, as well as the risk and governance framework.
• Act with professionalism and integrity in all contact with colleagues, members and third parties.

Skills, Knowledge & Experience

• Significant experience of SSAS pension schemes.
• Experienced customer service skills.
• A strong understanding of registered pension schemes and HMRC pension legislation (essential).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to follow policies and procedures methodically.
• High standard of work, accurate record keeping and attention to detail.
• Good numerical skills.
• A team player and able to work independently using your own initiative.
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment whilst dealing with a high number of cases; workload is managed efficiently and effectively as a result.
• Excellent time management and the ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines.

Preferred experience:

• SSAS pension administration experience: 5 years (preferred).
• Financial services/other pensions industry: 8 years (preferred).

Education:

• A-Level or equivalent (preferred).

Benefits

• 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays.
• 2 days holiday between Christmas and New Year, where 1 day is worked at reduced hours.
• 9-day fortnight (extra day off every two weeks) or standard Monday-Friday with flexi time.
• Work from home up to 2 days a week.
• Company pension scheme.
• Death in service benefit.
• Annual discretionary bonus.
• Support with professional qualifications – course fees, examination fees and study leave.
• Access to online learning platforms.
• Employer-funded team events.
• Sick pay.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: From £40,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Flexitime
• Sick pay
• Work from home

Experience:

• Operating SSAS pension schemes: 2 years (required)