The Business
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, risk management, governance, administration, and communication.
The Team
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.
The Retirement team is the largest recruiter of graduates in WTW’s Human Capital and Benefits Line of Business.
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 Role
Our Intern Programme is designed for penultimate year university students. It is currently expected that the duration of the internship will be 8 weeks.
In 2023 our Intern Programme was run with a combination of in office activity and virtual homeworking. We see real value in our colleagues being in the office on a regular basis, building relationships with and learning from others.
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.
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, 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. At WTW, 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 working at WTW and to help with your own development, you will be expected to come into the office at least 3 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 new GB joiners.
Learning and Development
We are committed to providing 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
The Requirements
Minimum 2:1 degree in a numerate discipline OR
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 – in partnership with the Bright Network, we have created an academy module on ‘How to Ace your Video Interview’. Click here to sign up and watch it!
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 office visit – you will be invited to your local office to meet some of your future colleagues.
Stage 5: On-boarding
Start date for the UK Internship Programme will be the beginning of July 2024.