Pension Systems Development Manager

BBC; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

BBC in Cardiff is seeking a Lead Data Engineer to head a six-person team within the Pensions and Benefits Centre. You will coach, manage performance, and foster a collaborative, high-performing culture while overseeing pension systems, data quality, and annual processing activities.

You will lead technology projects, manage internal and external relationships, and apply strong SQL/PL-SQL and data management skills.

Qualifications

• Proven leader of technical teams, with strong coaching, mentoring, and people management experience.
• Excellent communicator, able to engage effectively with both technical specialists and non-technical stakeholders.
• Strong expertise in SQL, relational databases (ideally Oracle), data analysis, reporting, and data quality management.
• Experienced in software development, translating complex specifications into tested, secure, and scalable solutions using robust change control practices (e.g., Jira, GitHub).
• Successful delivery of multiple technology projects, balancing competing priorities while ensuring reliability, security, and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and develop a team of six, driving performance, wellbeing, accountability and knowledge sharing.

Skills

People management

Communication

SQL

Oracle

Software development

Project delivery

Tools

Jira

GitHub

Job description

JOB DETAILS

JOB BAND: E

CONTRACT TYPE: Permanent, Full-time

DEPARTMENT: BBC HR

LOCATION: Cardiff

PROPOSED SALARY RANGE: £80,000 - £95,000 depending on relevant skills, knowledge and experience. The expected salary range for this role reflects internal benchmarking and external market insights.

We're happy to discuss flexible working. If you'd like to, please indicate your preference in the application – though there's no obligation to do so now. Flexible working will be part of the discussion at offer stage.

This role is currently advertised as internal only. Freelancers are eligible to apply if they have been on a Worker Contract (more info here) continuously for 6 months. If less than 6 months (or they have had a break of 3 weeks or more between engagements), they must seek Divisional HR approval to apply.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

An exciting opportunity for a data and technology professional to join the BBC Pensions and Benefits Centre in Cardiff as Lead Data Engineer. You will lead a team of six, providing coaching, performance management and wellbeing support while fostering a collaborative, high-performing culture. The role oversees pension systems supporting scheme administration, including benefit calculations, data quality, workflows, member communications and annual processing activities. You will also lead technology projects and manage relationships with internal teams and external providers. We are looking for someone with strong knowledge of data management, relational databases, software development and user experience, alongside a passion for people leadership. Hands‑on SQL and PL/SQL expertise is essential, with working knowledge of web technologies, automation, APIs, GitHub and Jira to support and develop the team effectively.

WHY JOIN THE TEAM

Join the Pension & Benefits Centre (P&BC), providing in‑house administration services to the BBC Pension Scheme, one of the UK's largest occupational pension schemes with around 50,000 members and £13bn in assets. Based in Cardiff, you'll work within a close‑knit pensions operations team of around 30 people, supporting the Trustee and Executive of a functionally independent scheme. The role also involves supporting the BBC's wider pension arrangements, including LifePlan and NEST. This is a varied and rewarding opportunity offering significant autonomy, visibility, and the chance to influence pension policy and make a real impact.

Your Key Responsibilities And Impact

• Lead, coach and develop a team of six, driving performance, wellbeing, accountability and knowledge sharing.
• Own and enhance the pension benefit calculation suite, including Oracle PL/SQL development, testing and actuarial change management.
• Manage administration system data, ensuring high data quality through measurement, reporting and remediation.
• Oversee and improve manual and automated workflows to optimise pension administration processes.
• Own member‑facing technology and communications, including the self‑service portal, statements, quotations and letters.
• Deliver pension technology projects, support annual bulk exercises, and ensure reliable business‑critical system performance.
• Lead data protection, cyber security and business continuity activities while driving innovation to improve member experience, reduce risk and increase efficiency.

Essential Criteria

YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Proven leader of technical teams, with strong coaching, mentoring, and people management experience.
• Excellent communicator, able to engage effectively with both technical specialists and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Strong expertise in SQL, relational databases (ideally Oracle), data analysis, reporting, and data quality management.
• Experienced in software development, translating complex specifications into tested, secure, and scalable solutions using robust change control practices (e.g., Jira, GitHub).
• Successful delivery of multiple technology projects, balancing competing priorities while ensuring reliability, security, and regulatory compliance.

If you can bring some of these skills and experiences, along with transferable strengths, we'd love to hear from you and encourage you to apply.

Before your start date, you may need to disclose any unspent convictions or police charges, in line with our Contracts of Employment policy. This allows us to discuss any support you may need and assess any risks. Failure to disclose may result in the withdrawal of your offer.

Disclaimer

This job description is a written statement of the essential characteristics of the job, with its principal accountabilities, incorporating a note of the skills, knowledge and experience required for a satisfactory level of performance. This is not intended to be a complete, detailed account of all aspects of the duties involved.

Please note: If you were to be offered this role, the BBC will conduct Employment screening checks which include Reference checks; Eligibility to work checks; and if applicable to the role, Safeguarding and Adverse media/Social media checks. Any offer made is conditional on these checks being satisfactory.

Before your start date, you may need to disclose any unspent convictions or police charges, in line with our Recruitment policy. This allows us to discuss any support you may need and assess any risks. Failure to disclose may result in the withdrawal of your offer.

For any general queries, please contact: [e-mail]

We are unable to accept applications via CV and only applications made online will be considered.

Redeployment

The BBC is committed to redeploying employees seeking suitable alternative employment within the BBC and they will be given priority consideration ahead of other applicants. Priority consideration means for those employees seeking redeployment their application will be considered alongside anyone else at risk of redundancy, prior to any individuals being considered who are not at risk.