Benefits Risk and Governance Advisor

Railpen; Darlington; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Railpen seeks a Benefits Risk and Governance Advisor for an 18-month fixed term role in Darlington. The candidate will oversee risk management in the Benefits area, ensuring compliance with corporate policies while collaborating with various teams to enhance financial services.

Benefits

28 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Defined Contribution pension

Employee assistance programme

Health cash plan

Eye care vouchers

Flu vaccination

Give as you earn scheme

Paid volunteering days

Qualifications

• Proven track record in risk management and control mechanisms.
• Expertise in producing high-quality written reports.
• Ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Support development and oversight for first line control mechanisms.
• Maintain controls monitoring programme and support risk identification.
• Liaise with external audit and support annual internal control reports.

Skills

Risk Management

Communication

Attention to Detail

Job description

Benefits Risk and Governance Advisor

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Benefits Risk and Governance Advisor to join our Benefits Governance team, on a fixed term basis for 18 months. The role is based in our Darlington office on a hybrid basis.

Who we are

Railpen is responsible for the safekeeping and investment of around £34 billion in assets and the administration of several pension schemes, including the Railways Pension Scheme, one of the UK's largest and longest established pension funds.

Our heritage of looking after the pension needs of the rail industry and its employees gives us our name and our unique outlook on how we serve our members. Railpen takes a holistic view, focusing on how we serve members today and how we can positively impact the communities and the world they will retire into.

To learn more about Railpen including our values, culture and purpose, visit our LinkedIn Life page here

The role

As a Benefits Risk and Governance Advisor, you will act as a first line capacity supporting the Benefits area with development, oversight and support for first line control mechanisms and embedding effective risk management. The role involves the development and ongoing maintenance of a controls monitoring programme and also supports risk identification, management and mitigation, supporting the Benefits area with early identification and escalation of risks to ensure these are captured and dealt with in accordance with corporate risk policies. You will also provide support for the risk event process within Benefits and act as liaison with Risk when events occur.

The Benefits Risk and Governance Advisor will work closely with Director of Benefits Governance and Standards ensuring accurate and timely delivery of the annual Master Trust supervisory return and will also provide ongoing assurance that Railpen is meeting its Master Trust responsibilities. Responsibility for the development, delivery and publication of the annual internal control reports AAF (01/20) across Benefits and wider areas of the business is also a key part of this role.

Other responsibilities include but not limited to the regular assessment of the continued relevance of the Systems and Processes questionnaire responses in year through review and validation with the business and working as a liaison between external audit and Benefits area with regard to audit work.

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK.

The person

The successful candidate will have proven track record of supporting first line areas with effective risk management and control mechanisms. You will have the expertise in producing high-quality written reports and have the confidence to support its delivery. Experience of working within a financial services environment is a must to ensure success in the role. Experience of pensions and Pensions Regulator requirements would also be highly advantageous.

We are looking for someone with effective communication skills who can work collaboratively with both internal and external stakeholders. You will be a credible influencer who can make constructive decisions. Having excellent attention to detail, being organised and proactive in managing a varied workload and working to tight deadlines is also key to being successful in the role.

Our values of integrity, community and alignment are the guiding principles that influence our behaviour. They help us make decisions and shape our relationships with others. They’re what we stand for.You will actively demonstrate our values, helping to create a safe environment, to place the needs of the community above oneself and, through a culture of ‘fair challenge’, align to the best interests of our members.

What we can offer you Rewarding you

• A competitive salary (depending on experience)

• 28 days annual leave, plus bank holidays

• Defined Contribution pension

Heath & Wellbeing

• Employee assistance programme

• Health cash plan

• Eye care vouchers

• Flu vaccination

Lifestyle

• Give as you earn scheme

• Paid volunteering days

Next Steps

Please apply for the apply button or visit Careers Page by 5pm on 7th July 2025.

Railpen is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse environment, we value diversity and welcome people from all backgrounds and walks of life