Senior Associate/Principal Associate - Pensions - London

We are Eversheds Sutherland, a global law firm, with more than 5,000 people across over 30 countries. We’re full-service with deep niche and sector experience. Whatever challenge, wherever in the world, we’re equipped and ready to meet it. We live our values, we’re purposeful and purpose-led. So although the world is fast-moving and rapidly changing, we see it as a place where everyone can thrive. We’re ambitious for our clients, our communities – and for you. Whether you’re starting out on your career or well established, whether you’re a lawyer or in business services. If you’re looking for what’s next, we are too.

What to expect

As a lawyer, you enjoy a variety of work: regional to international and across practice groups. With us, you grow your global mindset. You’re encouraged to put ideas into action and there’s always something new and different to get involved in. We see the fast-moving world as a place where we can all thrive and succeed. We’re excited for what’s next, so with us, you can be too.

Our team

The Eversheds Sutherland Global Employment, Labour and Pensions practice is highly respected. Our strong reputation is illustrated by our consistent representation in global directory rankings. Our lawyers are at the forefront of their fields in terms of technical knowledge and subject matter. We provide employers across the globe with a comprehensive employment, pensions, compensation and immigration service, from single country matters to large and complex multi-jurisdictional projects. 

Our award-winning Pensions team is highly experienced in advising all the relevant stakeholders involved with pensions and retirement benefit plans, including employers, trustees (including Commercial Master Trusts), providers and insurers. 

We have one of the biggest teams of dedicated pensions and retirement plan lawyers in the world. We keep our clients ahead of the curve - we are represented on and work directly with the bodies making law and policy, in the UK, Europe, EMEA and the US. This means we can advise on the basis of where we know the law is going, not just on where it is today.

Role and key responsibilities

We have an opening for a Senior Associate/Principal Associate in our Pensions team in London. Our preferred candidate will ideally have 4-7 years of post-qualified experience, with a focus on all matters impacting DB and DC occupational pension schemes.

Rapidly changing pensions law requires us to be fleet of foot and highly responsive to the evolving operational, strategic and commercial needs of our clients. That takes more than strong technical expertise. It takes flexible professionals with the emotional intelligence to relate to clients, understand the unique challenges they face, and build successful long-term relationships.

You will be involved in advising some of the highest profile work for some of the largest pension schemes and their company sponsors. There are numerous specialist workstreams for you to get involved with, including investment, de-risking (including by-ins and buy-outs, and longevity swaps), DB consolidators, DC master trusts and pensions litigation to name just a few.

Ours is a team that believes in helping make pensions law and policy – not just waiting for things to change. We are often at the forefront of cutting edge developments in the pensions industry, working with influential industry bodies like the APL, PLSA, SPP, PMI,  and the Hundred Group.

As an integral part of the team, you will support and offer guidance to junior lawyers in the team. We would be very happy to hear from applicants who have worked in industry and who wish to return to private practice.

Skills and experience

In order to be successful:

• You will be a qualified Pensions lawyer, ideally with 4-7 PQE
• You will have strong experience in Defined Benefit pension schemes, with ideally some experience also with defined contribution schemes  
• You will be able to meet client needs, both from a commercial and technical perspective and build exceptional relationships with internal and external contacts.
• You will have good communication and influencing skills together with technical skills and knowledge.
• You will enjoy working as part of a team but be equally able to manage your own matters efficiently and promptly.
• You will be client-centered and be able to manage quality, risk and finance and delegate work to a wider team.

What’s in it for you?

At Eversheds Sutherland, we provide benefits focused on looking after you: your development, your performance, your financial future and your health, as well as providing the opportunity to make a contribution to the world.

• We’re fair, transparent and equitable
• We share in the success of the firm, reward alignment to our values, going above and beyond and your individual performance
• We support flexible ways of working through our remote working policy and commitment to flexible, agile and hybrid ways of working
• We support your health and performance through our dental, healthcare and wellness support
• We support everything you are and all you bring through our powerful commitment to diversity and inclusion
• We provide a platform for your career, whatever your ambitions through our structured professional and personal training, mentoring and development programs
• We provide experience and opportunity through international and cross-function exposure
• We provide an opportunity to give back through our pro bono work and community engagement
• We help you plan ahead through retirement planning, insurance and assurance

Diversity & Inclusion

At Eversheds Sutherland, “Inclusive” is a core business value. We bring together different skillsets, global mindsets and approaches. We foster diversity of thought and the freedom to put ideas into action. We have an inherent respect for the individual. We have a strong belief in collaboration and teamwork. Sharing ideas, asking questions, solving challenges and meeting our clients’ goals: together.

We want all our people to thrive at work and reach their full potential and we work hard to continue to build a diverse and inclusive culture, monitor and report on our progress and impact, and develop our approach. This is reflected in our policies, systems and processes, and in our work with diversity membership organisations.

Many of our people work flexibly in some way and we are open to considering how we can accommodate flexible working arrangements alongside role requirements. If this is important to you, please talk to us about it during the recruitment process.

We want you to perform at your best during our recruitment process. If there is any adjustment or support you need, please contact us so we can discuss how we can best assist you.

For you,

For your success.

And what's next.

#LI-TS1