Head of Service | Pension Fund | Preston

Lancashire County Council; Preston; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

Join Lancashire County Council as the Head of Fund and play a key role in shaping the £12bn Lancashire County Pension Fund’s strategy. This senior position involves strategic oversight, compliance, and stakeholder engagement, seeking an innovative leader with deep pensions expertise and leadership experience.

Benefits

Generous employer contributions to the pension scheme

26 days' annual leave plus bank holidays

Access to development and career progression opportunities

Qualifications

• Substantial senior leadership experience in the pensions sector.
• Expert knowledge of LGPS and pensions legislation.
• Ability to present complex information effectively.

Responsibilities

• Define and deliver the Fund’s long-term strategy and objectives.
• Ensure compliance with statutory obligations and best practices.
• Lead the development of the Fund's investment strategy.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic leadership

Communication skills

Education

Pensions legislation expertise

Senior leadership experience

Job description

£75,420 - £82,480 per annum | Permanent, Full Time, 37 hours per week | County Hall, Preston

Are you a strategic leader with significant pensions expertise?

Join Lancashire County Council asHead of Fundand play a pivotal role in shaping the long-term strategy of the £12bn Lancashire County Pension Fund, which serves over 200,000 members and more than 300 employers.

As Head of Fund, you’ll lead the Lancashire County Pension Fund’s strategy across governance, funding, investment, and administration. This senior role requires strategic insight, regulatory expertise, and strong stakeholder engagement to ensure excellent service and long-term success.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Define and deliver the Fund’s long-term vision and strategic objectives, ensuring alignment with national LGPS developments and legislative changes.
• Governance & Compliance: Maintain a strong governance framework and ensure full compliance with statutory obligations and best practice standards, including oversight of financial reporting and the Fund’s Annual Report.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Provide expert advice and leadership to the Pension Fund Committee, Local Pension Board, and Governance Panel, including agenda setting and policy development. You'll build and maintain effective relationships with scheme employers, members, elected officials, and external partners.
• Investment Oversight: Lead the development and monitoring of the Fund’s investment strategy in collaboration with Local Pensions Partnership Investments Ltd.
• Team Leadership: Lead a team of pension professionals, fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement. You'll provide clear direction, support professional development, and model leadership behaviours aligned with the Leading Lancashire framework.

About You

We’re looking for a strategic and collaborative leader who can drive innovation and deliver results. You will have:

• Substantial senior leadership experience in the pensions sector.
• Expert knowledge of the LGPS , public sector pension schemes,or private sector workplace pension scheme, with a strong understanding of pensions legislation, ideally including LGPS-specific requirements.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with the ability to manage a complex network of stakeholders.
• The ability to present complex, technical information clearly and effectively to audiences with varying levels of understanding and engagement.

Closing date:23rd June 2025
Interviews:Week commencing 7th July 2025

For a confidential conversation, please contact Samantha Mason [e-mail]

Why Join Us?

At Lancashire County Council, we support your career development with access to qualifications, coaching, and mentoring. We offer a rewarding and flexible working environment where you can thrive whilst having a positive impact on our communities.

Our benefits include:

• Competitive salary and generous employer contributions to the Local Government Pension Scheme
• 26 days’ annual leave (rising with service), plus 8 bank holidays and 2 additional statutory days
• Option to purchase additional leave
• Staff discount scheme via Vivup – save on everything from groceries to tech and travel
• Access to excellent development and career progression opportunities

Job Description & Person Specification