Pension Administration Manager (Grade M)

Working on behalf of a Local Authority, Aatom Recruitment has an opportunity for a Pension Administration Manager on a 5 month’s contract.

Duties & Responsibilities

• To support the client in the management of the Pensions Administration service in line with the regulatory framework for the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), financial best practice and control procedures, ensuring that the client fulfils all its corporate and statutory requirements.
• To act as the key Pension Administration expert, have knowledge of all aspects of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
• To co-ordinate, maintain and have responsibility for the administration of the client’s Pension Scheme, providing a full range of pension benefits to the client’s employees and their dependants, as well as those employees of other organisations who participate in the client’s Pension Scheme.
• To be responsible for the development and implementation of strategies and policies that will enable the Pension Administration service to be effective in its service provision.
• Lead, manage and develop the Pensions Team in order to provide an excellent service to the client delivering a customer-focused and cost-effective. Continually drive improvements meeting and, ensuring regular monitoring of team performance.
• Ensure the integrity of the HR and payroll data on the pension’s database complies with internal and external financial control systems and fully meeting statutory and client financial regulations and audit requirements.
• To represent the client on all Pension administration related matters.
• Responsible for communicating effectively with customers.
• To maintain an up to date knowledge of Local Government and Teachers’
  pensions and compensation legislation and ensures that all staff are consistently
  applying the agreed correct interpretation.
• Ensure that the client’s policy statements are being consistently applied by staff.
• Ensure that compliance is maintained with HMRC requirements, the Pensions
  Acts and contracting out legislation.
• Ensures that by achieving compliance the client is not reported to one of the regulatory bodies.
• Plan and co-ordinate the effective training and development of all members of the
  team ensuring that they are kept up to date with any legislative/national/local
  initiatives that will impact upon the payroll service, e.g., changes to allowances.
• Ensure the effective and efficient deployment of staff resources and allocate
  priorities within the team, often against conflicting deadlines, circumstances, and
  expectations, so that all areas of the work are given due priority
• Ensure the production of statistical reports/customer satisfaction surveys and
  continually monitor and evaluate taking appropriate action to improve
  performance.
• Ensure the accuracy of the calculations for retirement benefits, gratuities, death
  benefits, compensation benefits, deferred benefits, ill health, serious ill health and
  complex benefits required by contracting out arrangements, ensuring that the
  correct interpretation of client’s policies, the pension scheme regulations and
  other relevant legislation is being applied.
• Apply relevant legislation in respect of members of the schemes including liaison
  with members, pensioners, solicitors, and the Courts on preparing quotations and
  applying ear marking and Court Pension sharing orders when required.
• To provide information to employees and pension providers of the maximum
  contribution and benefit limits under HMRC rules and government announcements
  regarding changes to pension schemes in general.
• Respond to complaints received about the service.
• To assist payroll with their annual pension increases inputs and communications
  to members.

Qualifications & Experience

• Substantial experience of working at a senior level in pension administration in local government.
• Relevant professional qualification such as Associate or Fellow of the Pensions Management Institute or substantial relevant experience
• Evidence of continued professional development
• Experience of planning and coordinating workloads, prioritising conflicting demands to ensure deadlines are met
• Strong IT skills and experience of using computerised financial systems
• Evidence of providing advice and guidance to non-specialists to support understanding and decision making
• Proven ability to manage and motivate staff

To get more information about this role and how to apply please contact Pocholo.