Corporate Technical Support; Trainee Advisor

Overview

O'Connor & Co (Financial Services) Ltd has been providing reliable financial advice for over fifty years. The firm specializes in investments, protection, personal and workplace pensions, as well as employee benefits. Located in Northamptonshire, we are committed to serving the needs of individuals and businesses in the region. Our focus is on helping clients make informed financial decisions to secure their future.

This is a full-time on-site role for a Corporate Technical Support (Trainee Advisor) based in Northampton. The selected candidate will assist with providing technical support to ensure the smooth delivery of all corporate benefits including Group Life, Workplace Pension and Report writing.

You will join our growing team at our office in Northampton with potential for occasional home working after probation (subject to pre agreement and business needs). You will be working with a team of experienced administrators, advisors and paraplanners to learn the methods in which this firm works whilst acting as the point of contact for clients.

This is an important role in helping to maintain a relationship with our existing clients, while developing our opportunities with new clients. You will need to be able to build strong relationships with all stakeholders, providers, employees and employers. You will need strong communication skills as well a confident telephone manner.

Once the core skills have learnt to a competent standard we will be looking to developed the role into a Full Advisor Role supporting our Workplace pensions and members along side providing customer support for the Employee Benefits Elements. We will provide funding from Training along with a clear progression path with an escalating salary based on key qualifications being achieved.

• Support the Advisors and Consultants with all administration duties as required for employer meetings and presentations.
• Writing reports, including research and storing all documents on the back-office system.
• Requesting governance reports, bulk data and copying workforce data from providers as well as member data from Employers and Payroll to update our records and process renewals.
• Obtaining terms from providers for schemes that are re-enrolling or renewing and evaluate/ negotiate with all our service providers for the best possible terms whilst managing the renewal timeline and deadlines. This includes sending letter of authorities to providers to obtain information on existing plans for new opportunities.
• Carrying out annual management charge reviews for schemes at re-enrolment and liaising with the Pensions Regulator to ensure declaration are completed on time.
• Manage / update auto enrolment review processes and record through central records.
• Monthly fund research via 3 rd party research tools to complete up to date information and appendix documents.
• Uploading and administration for schemes as well as providing output files as required by the employer.
• Producing and distributing re-certifications for schemes in line with 18-month rules.
• Completing re-declaration of compliance to keep employers in line with their employer duties.
• General workplace enquiries – including but not limited to processing nominations forms, queries from employers around scheme rules and supporting with follow up actions from member meetings.
• Manage enrolments and determine employee eligibility as well as coordinating leaves of absence and process claims or requests.
• Ensure timely payment of monthly premiums and support employers with issues.
• Handle all benefit compensations and reimbursement procedures as needed.
• Communicate with employees regarding their benefit optionsas needed.
• Collaborate and maintain professional communication with employers and other third-party professionals as required.

• Previous experience in IFA / Wealth management practices or Employee Benefits organisation - min 2 years.
• Basic knowledge of Financial Services including pensions.
• High level of Maths + English (GCSE Level 5 / C or above).
• Willingness to learn and develop within the role / own skills.
• Good experience and demonstration of…