Business Development Executive - Pensions

Xafinity Consulting Ltd; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Business Development Executive to join their dynamic team in Reading. This role is pivotal in driving new business opportunities within the pensions administration sector. You will collaborate with various teams to develop effective sales strategies, manage proposals, and enhance the overall client experience. With a commitment to diversity and inclusion, this forward-thinking company offers a supportive environment where you can thrive. If you have a passion for business development and a keen understanding of the pensions industry, this is your chance to make a significant impact in a rewarding role.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Annual discretionary bonus scheme

25 days holiday plus flexibility

Flexible bank holidays

Pension scheme with matching contributions

Healthcare cash plan

Flexible benefits scheme

Life assurance cover

Employee assistance programme

Paid volunteering day

Qualifications

• Proven knowledge of the pensions administration industry is essential.
• Strong IT skills, particularly in Microsoft Office applications.

Responsibilities

• Support the sales lifecycle for pensions administration across sectors.
• Work closely with teams to manage proposals and ensure quality.

Skills

Knowledge of pensions administration

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving skills

Resilience

Education

Certification in pensions administration (e.g., CPC)

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

At XPS Group we operate a hybrid/flexible working style. We are an equal opportunities employer and positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief. As part of our Disability Confident pledge we run the ‘Offer an interview’ scheme at XPS. If you have a disability and meet the ‘essential criteria’ described in the person specification for the role being applied for, you are guaranteed an interview. Access to the Disability Confident scheme simply requires you to (1) Show you meet the essential criteria described in the person specification, and (2) In the Offer an Interview Scheme section on our application form tick the box for 'do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?' If you are successful in your application you undertake pre-employment checks which include: Right to Work confirmation, DBS Disclosure check, Qualification checks, Employment and/or educational references covering five years & Satisfactory credit check. If you have any questions or require further assistance, please email [e-mail]

Business Development Executive - Pensions

Location: Reading

Contractual hours: 36.25

Basis: Full time

Job category/type: XPS Administration

Date posted: 07/04/2025

Job reference: REQ002843

Job description

XPS Group is a leading UK consulting and administration business specialising in the pensions and insurance sectors. At XPS, our vision is to create a vibrant place to work where difference is recognised as a strength and where talented people can flourish and achieve their highest potential.

Our Pensions Administration business continues to grow and we are now looking for a Business Development Executive to join our vibrant Reading office with hybrid working. This is an exciting role and would most likely suit someone with previous experience in a similar role where they have gained a thorough knowledge of the pensions administration industry.

A FTSE 250 company, XPS combines expertise and insight with advanced technology and analytics to address the needs of over 1,400 pension schemes and their sponsoring employers on an ongoing and project basis. We undertake pensions administration for over one million members and provide advisory services to schemes and corporate sponsors in respect of schemes of all sizes, including 88 with assets over £1bn. We also provide wider ranging support to insurance companies in the life and bulk annuities sector.

Our people drive our success and as an XPS employee you can bring your whole self to work - Everyone is treated equally and with respect. We will provide you with the support and training you need to grow and be at your very best. It’s about inclusion and diversity, ensuring all our people feel included, that they belong to XPS and that they’re happy. Above all, it’s about ensuring everyone has a voice and feels valued. Because they are.

The Team

Our award-winning pensions administration business puts scheme members at the heart of everything we do. Our services include scheme administration, first-time outsourcing, member communications and scam protection.

The Role

As a Business Development Executive with XPS you will:

• Support the Admin New Business Team in the 'sales/new business' lifecycle across the private and public sectors; from the identification stages, fact-finding, developing and executing the sales strategy, attending prospect meetings and understanding clients' needs ensuring XPS Admin is able to provide effective solutions.
• Work closely with the Central Bid Team to ensure materials are formatted correctly, the sales process is managed effectively, and deadlines are adhered to.
• Work closely with the ‘admin owner’ of a proposal to ensure that it is of the best quality. This includes making sure all tender questions are sufficiently answered and proof-reading documents before submission.
• Help develop creative documents, pitches and propositions.
• Develop the wider skills of XPS Admin employees in 'new business pitches' to ensure increased conversion from 'opportunities' to 'sales'. For example, presentation skills, handling Q&As at site visits and client presentations, understanding what motivates clients and their associated key business drivers and how to conduct yourself at presentations.
• Proactively follow up leads generated from within XPS Admin and the wider Group.
• Work closely with the Admin New Business Team to identify ways of improving XPS Admin’s proposition.
• Produce to agreed timescales, all reports required by the Admin New Business Team. This includes updating all business development activity in a timely and accurate manner, identifying trends and patterns and maintaining trackers and SharePoint sites to ensure they are up to date and tidy.
• Prepare the first draft of pricing for tenders for review by the Admin New Business Team. This would also include reviewing existing client fees by applying the pricing model for new business tenders when required by the admin teams.
• Work with the marketing team to promote XPS Admin’s services with effective use of social media, PR networking, technical briefings, seminars etc. This includes making sure that the XPS Linkedin page remains active and promote the use of Linkedin to XPS Admin employees.

Your profile

Essential Criteria

• Able to demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the pensions administration industry.
• IT proficient, in particular Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook & PowerPoint.
• Able to demonstrate resilience and the ability to work to strict deadlines.
• Highly organised with the ability to prioritise work and effectively manage your own workload whilst still working as part of a team. The ability to manage multiple projects at any one time is vitally important.
• Excellent oral communication skills with the ability to work well with a variety of people at all levels, including senior executives within the business. Able to adjust communication style relevant to the audience.
• Excellent attention to detail in written material.
• The ability to proactively take ownership and responsibility for own workload.
• A high degree of professional integrity. With the ability to operate within a compliant framework and adhere to corporate quality standards.
• Able to demonstrate analytical and problem-solving skills.

Desirable Criteria

• Previous track record gained in a comparable sales and business development role would be advantageous. This also includes experience in the bid management lifecycle including production of bids and proposal documentation.
• Previous experience of delivering presentations in client facing situations is of distinct advantage.
• Achieved a certification in pensions administration e.g. CPC

What we offer:

• Competitive salary
• Participation in annual discretionary Bonus Scheme
• 25 days holiday plus flexibility to buy or sell holiday
• Flexible Bank holidays
• Pension scheme, matching contribution structure
• Healthcare cash plan
• Flexible Benefits Scheme to support you in and out of work, helping you look after you and your family covering Security & Protection, Health & Wellbeing, Lifestyle
• Life Assurance cover, four times basic salary
• XPS Rewards (offers High Street discounts and savings from retailers and services providers as well as offers available via phone)
• Employee Assistance Programme for you and your household
• Access to a digital GP service
• Paid volunteering day when participating in Company organised events
• Staff referral scheme when you introduce a friend to XPS

What next:

If you feel XPS could be the next step on your career ladder, please apply directly via the links provided and we look forward to learning more about you. We will consider all applicants and respond swiftly.

Please discuss with the recruitment team, via phone or email, if you require any adjustments to the recruitment process. For example, we can provide materials in an alternative format, or give you extra time in interviews or tests.

Successful candidate requirements:

• Right to Work confirmation
• DBS Disclosure check
• Employment or educational references covering five years
• Satisfactory credit check

We continuously strive to build an inclusive workplace where all forms of diversity are valued, including age, background, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, race, religion or sexual orientation.

Please note we reserve the right to close our vacancies early and we only accept CVs direct from candidates or our preferred supplier list.

XPS try wherever possible to respond to all applicants if for any reason you have not heard from us within 28 days of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.