2025 Retirement Actuarial Trainee Consultant Internship Programme, Leeds

WTW

With roots dating to 1828, WTW has 46,000 employees serving more than 140 countries.

WTW is the leading provider of retirement consulting and actuarial services to today’s global organisations, providing actuarial services to more of the world’s top 300 pension funds than any other company. In the UK and Europe, we are the undisputed leader, advising 93 of the FTSE 100 companies. We also advise small and mid-sized schemes, with the range of clients providing our colleagues with a broad range of opportunities. Our enviable client list covers a very wide range of companies including household names, financial institutions, and charities.

We partner with clients around the globe to determine the best approaches to pension scheme design, funding, governance, administration, and communication.

What does the Retirement team do?

The Retirement team works with trustees and sponsors of occupational pension schemes. We advise on both defined contribution (“DC”) and defined benefit (“DB”) schemes: our intern vacancies are within the DB team. The DB team helps our clients with all aspects of managing a pension scheme, from regular triennial valuation work, to cutting edge risk-reduction and scheme design projects. We often work closely with our colleagues in other teams, such as DC, investment, communications and administration, to provide joined-up advice to our clients.

We work in partnership with our clients to help them to manage the potentially substantial risks involved with retirement benefit provision and to ensure that their benefits meet the needs of all stakeholders.

Each year our new graduates have the opportunity to work alongside some of the leading figures in the pensions industry and our unequalled client base provides boundless opportunities for creativity and innovation. As an intern, you will get the opportunity to work alongside our graduates.

At WTW, we believe difference makes us stronger. We want our workforce to reflect the different and varied markets we operate in and to build a culture of inclusivity that makes colleagues feel welcome, valued and empowered to bring their whole selves to work every day. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive work environment throughout our organisation. We embrace all types of diversity.

The opportunities and support available

Our Intern Programme is designed for penultimate year university students. It is currently expected that the duration of the internship will be 8 weeks.

We operate a hybrid working environment (i.e. a mixture of working in the office and at home). In order to get the most out of the Intern Programme at WTW, you will be expected to come into the office at least three days each week. In addition to scheduled in-office training and meetings about projects and client work, this will give you the opportunity to learn from your more experienced colleagues, as well as getting to know your fellow interns.

An internship at WTW will give you valuable real-world experience. It will enable you to apply your education in an environment that is both intellectually challenging and rewarding. At the end of your time with us, you will have a greater understanding of what we do and how closely our career offerings match your career ambitions.

This is the perfect opportunity to understand what you could expect if you joined our trainee consultant programme the following year, and many of our interns return as permanent team members following graduation.

As an intern in the Retirement team, you’ll need good numerical and communication skills, the ability to plan work effectively and a strong desire to solve challenging, technical problems. You’ll develop consulting skills so that you can help clients understand and manage their pension risks.

Trainee consultants and interns at WTW benefit from all the resources and opportunities that a large company can provide, but this doesn’t come at the cost of individuality. You will have the opportunity to work alongside some of the leading figures in the pensions industry and also to be recognised for your personal contribution.

Our community

Regardless of which of our offices you join, you’ll be part of the bigger WTW community, and will be able to contribute to our fundraising and community activities, our inclusion and diversity networks as well as our sporting and social groups. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment, enriched by our people, our clients, and the communities in which we work and live.

Learning and Development

We provide continuous professional development to all of our colleagues. For interns specifically, we provide:

• An induction process where you can learn what our business does, what resources are available, and who the other new interns are.

• On-the-job experiences allowing you to see the immediate impact of your work.

• Opportunities to work on a diverse range of projects with experienced professionals.

Requirements

Predicted 2:1 degree in a numerate discipline OR Predicted 2:1 degree including A-Level Maths grade A/B or equivalent qualifications

Penultimate year students

The Application Process

Stage 1 : Online application, including CV.

Stage 2 : Invitation to complete online assessment and a video interview.

Stage 3 : Virtual assessment centre – this is an opportunity for you to meet with members of the team and for the team to understand your strengths, preferences and motivations. The assessment will take place virtually, and there will be plenty of opportunities for you to ask questions.

Stage 4 : Offer and acceptance.

Stage 5: Keeping in touch including office visit and contact with a member of the team you will be joining.

Stage 6: On-boarding.

Start date for the UK Internship Programme will be the beginning of July 2025.

Closing Date: 30th September 2024

WTW is an equal opportunity employer

WTW believes that effectively managing a diverse workforce is vital to our business strategy. We have an obligation to our organisation, ourselves and our clients to hire and develop the best people we can find. We will continually review our policies and practices to ensure that all areas of the employment process (including recruiting, hiring, work assignments, compensation, benefits, promotions, transfers, company-sponsored development programs and overall workplace experience) are free from discriminatory practices. We are committed to equal employment opportunities at WTW.

The longer term benefits of working at WTW

WTW offers a variety of benefits to support your physical, emotional and financial wellbeing, as well as help you develop in your career, and balance your life inside and outside of work. Among other things, these include a competitive pay and flexible benefits package (which includes options such as private medical insurance and life insurance), flexible working policies, a broad range of leave policies, and a programme of learning and development opportunities.

Interviewing hints and tips

WTW specializes in preparing for the unknown. Here’s how to get ready for the big day: https://careers.wtwco.com/hints-and-tips/