Pensions and Investments Manager

Buckinghamshire Council; Aylesbury; Hybrid; GBP 87,000; Full time

Job summary

Join Buckinghamshire Council as the Head of Pensions and Investments, where you'll lead transformative initiatives in pension management. This strategic role demands expertise in LGPS, budget oversight, and exceptional leadership skills to ensure exemplary service delivery and innovative advancements in our pension fund.

Benefits

Membership in Local Government Pension Scheme

Generous annual leave

Work-life balance initiatives

Discounts on services and restaurants

Qualifications

• Significant experience in local government with knowledge of LGPS.
• Proven ability to manage budgets and services under constraints.
• Strong leadership, inspiring confidence and motivating teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and delivery of Pensions & Investments service.
• Ensure compliance with legislative and regulatory standards.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement within the service.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Strategic Planning

Job description

Are you a strategic leader passionate about pensions and investments? We are seeking an experienced professional to lead our service and ensure high-quality outcomes. If this describes you, join us as Head of Pensions and Investments to help shape the future of our pension fund.

The government's focus on the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) signifies an exciting period of transformation within the sector. Buckinghamshire is strategically positioned to effectively implement and optimise proposed changes, presenting a leadership opportunity to contribute significantly to service excellence in this vital area.

This role involves overseeing pension investment strategy, monitoring and analysis, preparing and delivering the Pension Fund accounts and annual report, ensuring compliance with legislative and regulatory changes, and identifying opportunities for innovation and technological advancements to enhance services for scheme members, employers, Pension Fund Committee, and Pension Board.

Benefits include membership in the Local Government Pension Scheme, a healthy work-life balance, generous annual leave, and discounts on various services and restaurants.

Salary up to £86,094 per annum, depending on experience.

About us

At Buckinghamshire Pension Fund, we are committed to providing exceptional service to our scheme members and employers. Our team collaborates to manage and deliver excellent service, continually striving for improvements through innovation and a proactive approach, aiming to be one of the best pensions administration teams in the LGPS.

“The shared vision of the Pensions & Investment team is to provide excellent customer service for fund members, and the enthusiasm to strive towards targets helps create a positive working environment and helps the team regularly exceed expectations.” – a member of the Pensions Administration team.

About the role

As the Head of Pensions & Investments, you will provide strategic leadership to our Pensions and Investments service. Your key responsibilities will include:

• Leading planning, development, delivery, control, and management of the Pensions & Investments service
• Designing, developing, and performance managing the service to maximise quality, efficiency, and continuity
• Liaising with key partners, including the Pension Pool, Fund investment adviser, Committee independent advisor, Fund actuary, and other LGPS Pools and Funds
• Developing and overseeing policy, systems, contracts, processes, performance criteria, standards, governance frameworks, and procedures
• Providing expert advice, interpretation, support, and challenge to stakeholders
• Implementing a comprehensive risk management program and business continuity plan
• Managing relationships with delivery partners, providers, suppliers, and customers
• Fostering a culture of continuous improvement
• Planning and managing major projects and programs, securing resources, and defining accountabilities
• Ensuring compliance with legislation, regulations, standards, and best practices

Further details are available in the attached job summary and person specification.

About you

You should have significant experience managing a professional expertise area within a large local government, with extensive knowledge of the LGPS, including its requirements, systems, policies, legislation, and key issues. Proven experience managing budgets and delivering services within resource constraints is essential. You should possess excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills, capable of conveying complex issues effectively to diverse audiences.

Proven leadership skills are required, including developing multi-disciplinary teams, managing staff, inspiring confidence, motivating, and influencing others. Demonstrated enthusiasm, drive, resilience, and positivity are crucial for success in this role.

Other information

Hybrid working arrangements are in place, with regular face-to-face team meetings.

Interview date: 3rd / 4th July

For an informal discussion, contact Mark Preston, Assistant Chief Finance Officer (Pensions & Projects) via email at [e-mail] or phone at 01296 383107.

This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Applicants must declare all unspent cautions and convictions.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early once sufficient applications are received. Early application is encouraged.

Our values and culture

Our values—Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative, Trustworthy—guide us. Joining Buckinghamshire Council offers:

• A fair, inclusive culture
• The opportunity to make a difference
• Health and well-being initiatives, including Employee Assistance, Mental Health First Aiders, and mindfulness workshops
• An Employee Representative Group
• Support for career development and progression
• Participation in social and fundraising activities

We are committed to diversity, equality, and inclusion, fostering an accessible, supportive environment where all colleagues feel valued. Flexible working options are available to promote work-life balance.

About the Business Unit

The Resources team includes Human Resources, Finance, ICT, and Business Operations, supporting other directorates to serve residents effectively. We aim to ensure the right people are in the right roles, providing high-quality services and building revenue from external clients. We seek ambitious, customer-focused individuals with innovative ideas.

We recognise and reward you

We value hard work and success, offering flexible working, discounts, and benefits such as gym memberships, shopping discounts, and auto-enrolment into our Pension Scheme. We also offer benefits like Costco memberships and travel discounts with Arriva.