UK Pensions Specialist

Role

The UK Pensions & Benefits team has management, governance and operational responsibility for the firm’s UK benefit programmes including a comprehensive flexible benefits program, a large medical trust and 7 UK pension schemes, the largest of which has approximately 50,000 members.

The primary focus of this role is to support the management of the UK pension schemes.

Key Responsibilities:

• Providing Trustee Secretarial services for one or more of the schemes managed by the team, including:
  • Preparation of meeting papers, attendance at Trustee meetings, preparation of minutes and resolution of actions;
  • Ensuring scheme governance material is up to date, including maintenance of risk registers, business plans and all policies;
  • Ensuring the Trustee Board is fully supported in fulfilling their responsibilities.
• Working as part of the team to oversee and coordinate ongoing plan activities such as plan accounts, member newsletters, benefit statements and actuarial valuations.

• Acting as a point of contact for scheme administrators and advisers in relation to on-going projects, correspondence and member queries including formal complaints.

• Assisting with managing the administration supplier services on an ongoing basis, ensuring delivery against SLAs and compliant administration.
• Assisting with supervising the day to day provision of services by external providers, including actuaries, lawyers, investment consultants, investment managers.
• Providing support to the Pensions Manager and other team members in the operation and management of the larger schemes and projects as required.

Skills / Experience required

We are looking for an experienced pensions & benefits professional. A highly motivated individual who is ready for a role that will allow them to put into practice the skills they have developed in their career to date: Other requirements include:

• Strong team player with excellent organizational skills, used to managing varied and sometimes challenging priorities, with ability to take ownership of projects, be proactive and flexible.
• Relationship builder with strong influencing skills – an effective communicators who is able to influence decision-making and is comfortable working at senior levels internally and externally.
• Strong technical skills and able to demonstrate a broad knowledge of current UK pensions legislation and best governance practice.
• Analytical – a problem solver with ability to make decisions with high attention to detail and based on a thorough understanding of the relevant facts.
• Desire to learn new skills and take on new challenges.
• Strong focus on risk management.

• Relevant experience gained either as part of an in-house pensions team or consultancy, providing secretarial and support services to Trustee Boards, with an understanding of both defined benefit and defined contributions schemes.
• Preferably APMI qualified or working towards.