Pension Administration Apprentice

Contract Type: Fixed term contract (18 months)

Contract Reason: Apprenticeship

Salary: 21 and over £23,859 per annum

18-20 £20,368 per annum

<18 £15,018 per annum

Hours Per Week: 36 hours

Base Location: Guardsman Tony Downes House, Droylsden

Assessment Date: Week commencing 14^th December 2026

Launch your career in Pensions Administration

About GMPF

At Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF), we are dedicated to securing the financial well-being of our 379,000 members. Every year, these members place their trust in us to safeguard the pension benefits they have earned, giving them confidence and security in retirement. We pay out over £880 million in benefits each year, fulfilling our promise to deliver financial security to our members.

We have almost 200 colleagues in pensions administration who collaborate with over 800 employers, including local authorities across Greater Manchester, the National Probation Service, academy schools, and housing associations. Together, we calculate and deliver pension benefits with precision and care.

The Opportunity

We are seeking two enthusiastic and motivated individuals to join our Pension Administration Team as Level 3 Pension Administration Apprentices. This is an excellent opportunity to earn while you learn, gain valuable workplace experience and build the knowledge and skills needed for a successful career within pension administration.

As part of your apprenticeship, you will work towards the Level 3 Pension Administration Apprenticeship Standard, developing specialist knowledge of pension schemes, customer service, administration processes and pension legislation.

Working within the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), you will help to provide an important service to scheme members, employers and pensioners while receiving support and training from experienced professionals.

What you'll be doing

Member Support and Administration

You will learn to:

• Update and maintain pension member records accurately using specialist administration systems.
• Prepare letters, pension benefit statements and other routine correspondence.
• Receive and distribute emails, letters and internal communications to the appropriate colleagues.
• Undertake general office duties including scanning, filing and document management.

Calculating Benefits and Ensuring Data Quality

With training and support, you will:

• Learn how pension benefits are calculated.
• Assist with retirement, transfer and death benefit processes.
• Check and maintain the accuracy of pension data, including member details, service history and contribution information.
• Support data quality exercises to ensure records remain complete and accurate.

Financial and Technical Compliance

You will learn:

• How the Local Government Pension Scheme operates.
• The importance of confidentiality, accuracy and data protection.
• How pension legislation and regulations are applied in practice.
• To confidently use a range of IT systems including Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, document management systems and pension administration software.

Supporting the Team

You will:

• Work collaboratively with colleagues to deliver an efficient and customer-focused service.
• Contribute to team objectives and service improvements.
• Support project work and business priorities.
• Undertake additional duties appropriate to your development and apprenticeship programme.

What we're looking for

We're looking for individuals who are:

• Interested in administration, customer service and working with data.
• Organised and detail focused.
• Eager to learn and develop new skills.
• Good communicators with a professional attitude.
• Comfortable using computers and learning new IT systems.
• Able to work effectively as part of a team.

You don't need previous experience in pensions, just the enthusiasm and commitment to learn.

Apprenticeship Qualification

Successful candidates will complete the:

Level 3 Pension Administration Apprenticeship

During the programme you will develop knowledge and skills in:

• Pension administration processes
• Pension legislation and regulations
• Data management and quality assurance
• Pension benefit calculations
• Professional workplace behaviours
• Communication and stakeholder management

You will receive dedicated learning time, workplace mentoring and support from both the Pension Administration Team and the apprenticeship training provider.

What we offer

• A nationally recognised Level 3 qualification.
• On-the-job training from experienced pension professionals.
• Dedicated apprenticeship study time.
• A supportive and inclusive working environment.
• Opportunities to develop a long-term career within local government pensions and administration.
• Generous local government benefits package, including annual leave and pension scheme membership (where eligible).

About Us

At Tameside, we are committed to ensuring all our Citizens lead long, fulfilling and healthy lives. We are committed to supporting economic growth, providing high quality health and care services, protecting our most vulnerable and creating strong and supportive, self-sufficient communities.

We recognise that our people drive our success and enable the organisation to deliver on its vision, purpose and priorities, and that our people are our most important resource and asset. Our values underpin our practice and behaviours, and are at the heart of everything that we do; and we understand that how we do things is just as important as what we do. We pride ourselves on living by our STRIVE values of Support, Trust, Respect, Integrity, Value Diversity and Engage. Our values underpin our practice and behaviours and are at the heart of everything that we do. How we do things are just as important as what we do.

Our employees’ skills, experience and knowledge are essential to our success along with their happiness, wellbeing, commitment, enthusiasm and motivation to be the best they can be.

Apply Today

Please read the attached recruitment guidance document or visit our website careers page for support with your application and interview.

https://www.gmpf.org.uk/about/careers-and-current-vacancies

The application process will involve both an interview and a task. More details about this will be provided if your application is successful.

For more information about GMPF in general please see our website at www.gmpf.org.uk.

Click ‘Apply Now’ to take the first step towards shaping the future of GMPF and making a difference to the lives of our members.

Please note this role is only open to applicants who are not studying for or hold an NVQ or any qualification at the equivalent level in the field applied for.

To apply for this role you need to have been a resident within the UK for the past 3 years.

Unfortunately, at this time we are not able to offer sponsorship.

We are committed to developing a culture which respects individuals, appreciates difference and allows everyone regardless of background to reach their full potential. We are proud to be an accredited disability confident employer. Reasonable Adjustments will be considered in accordance with the Equality Act 2010 in relation to the Job Role Criteria.

Our rewards and benefits package can be viewed here

We have made a commitment to improve the employment opportunities for people with disabilities, care leavers, carers, and ex-military personnel. Please click here for more information on our guaranteed assessment scheme.

If you have the ambition, expertise, and drive to excel in this exciting new role, we’d love to hear from you. For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Lauran Hodgins Pension Benefits Section Manager Member Services on 0161 301 7210.