CLR Pensions Senior Associate

Were excited to welcome a new Senior Associate to our market-leading Corporate Liability Restructuring team focussed on the dynamic and evolving pensions employer covenant and restructuring market.

The pensions market is currently undergoing significant change - which the Government has described as a once in a lifetime opportunity. Defined Benefit (DB) pension schemes require support to determine their strategy to secure their benefits or run the scheme on and return surplus to their sponsoring company. At the same time the market is transitioning to focus on Defined Contribution (DC) pensions driven by government policy focussed on ensuring the population has enough money in retirement whilst also identifying the potential for capital in pension schemes to support investment in UK growth.

Our team advises a range of clients across all sectors from the large & iconic (BT BAE Systems British Airways Universities Superannuation Scheme NEST) to small and not-for-profit organisations. More than half our work is for trustees of pension schemes who are tasked with ensuring the security of their members retirement pots and our work makes a tangible difference to outcomes for pensioners.

Trustees come from all walks of life airline pilots lecturers union reps professional trustees. As such the ability to build trusted relationships and explain financial analysis & sometimes complex concepts in clear terms is essential and our team reflects the diversity of our clients.

Were a team of 40 mainly with accountancy backgrounds focused on financial analysis of businesses to assess the employer covenant (i.e. the sponsors financial and legal ability to support the scheme). Its an innovative team and alongside our actuarial colleagues we are working across a range of new business areas including advising on the longer-term strategy for pension schemes across both defined benefit defined contribution and public sector pension schemes. This includes topics like sustainability and the rapid growth of DC Master Trusts.

Our engagements range from long-term (20 years) to faster-paced projects driven by transactions or restructuring. The team is part of the wider Restructuring practice within Lead Advisory & Restructuring and we work regularly with the wider Deals team as well as specialists in other lines of service.

A typical assignment for a Senior Associate may include:

• Building relationships with clients and oversight of projects;

• Analysis of a companys financial position and forecast outlook across a range of industries;

• Reviewing the impact of a transaction or restructuring on the business and its creditors;

• Meeting with senior company management to understand their strategy outlook and risks;

• Company sector and market research and analysis using a wide variety of information sources;

• Considering findings from the perspective of multiple stakeholders and debating conclusions directly with the project team;

• Preparation of presentations and/or reports to key stakeholders (e.g. trustees/companies/lenders or shareholders such as PE owners);

• Interaction with xLoS colleagues (we often bring other subject matter experts into assignments);

• Visible role in internal/external marketing including target identification Salesforce use preparing materials and organising and attending events like our SA-led Early Pensions Professionals NextGen Pensions and Inclusion & Diversity in Pensions events.

Key skills

• Strong commercial awarenessand financial analysis skills

• Strong interpersonal skills - ability to build trusted long-term relationships and manage client accounts

• Ability to clearly articulate complex concepts in written and verbal communications

• Ability to develop and motivate others

• Flexibility in terms of diverse industries and projects

• Willingness to participate in marketing and business development appropriate for your grade

• Proven project and time management skills

• Ability to work to deadlines

• Excellent verbal and written English

Were committed to supporting your career development through coaching sponsorship/mentoring tailored learning opportunities and visible career paths to more senior grades.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds even if you dont meet every requirement wed love to hear from you. We value potential and a growth mindset.