Pensions Officer

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust; West of England; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Pension Administration Clerk to join the Pensions Division. You will input and process pension data in a computerised system, and check inputs from colleagues to deadlines.

You will respond to pensions queries, maintain records, and ensure compliance with DOH requirements. The role offers an opportunity to work within a large NHS Trust with flexible working options discussed at interview.

Qualifications

• Good computer skills/numeracy.
• Working to strict deadlines in a demanding and pressured environment.
• Able to work as part of a team.
• Proven practical experience of Microsoft Office, Excel and database software.
• Administrative experience in an office environment.
• Experience in NHS Payroll / using ESR (desirable).
• Highly organised and detail-oriented with focus on accuracy in pension data and deadlines.
• Customer-focused and able to handle confidential pension enquiries professionally.

Responsibilities

• Accurately maintain the computer database of Pension records for employees across payrolls.
• Interpret and action pension data to ensure terms of service and pension scheme rules are followed.
• Undertake daily pension preparation to ensure correct payments on time.
• Calculate and process redundancy payments as required.
• Check data actions performed by others, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Liaise with Team Leader, HR Managers and external bodies on pension matters.
• Handle pension queries clearly and confidentially with staff and managers.
• Ensure adherence to DOH requirements and data protection regulations.
• Assist with training of junior staff and uphold high data quality.

Skills

Computer skills/numeracy

Deadline-driven

Team player

Education

GCSE Maths and English (A)

Job description

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities Essential criteria

Experience Essential criteria

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This creates an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) describes algorithms that can be used to produce new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos. It is developing all the time and is now being used as a support mechanism for all kinds of content-based creations. Please note the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.

Job Overview

• Responsible for Inputting and processing of Pensions information to strict deadlines, using a computerised system, for one or more payrolls.
• Undertaking the checking and validation of input of other members of staff.
• Completion of both routine and complex Pensions transactions in accordance with Standing Financial Instructions.
• Deals with routine and complex Pensions enquiries from staff, managers and statutory organisations.
• Advises staff and managers on Pensions related issues.

Main duties of the job

• Accurately maintain the computer database of Pensions records of employees including Service, Salary details and pensionable and non pensionable payments for Pensions Division scrutiny
• Ability to interpret understand and action Pensions data to ensure terms and conditions of service and Pension Scheme rules are strictly adhered to
• Undertake daily Pensions preparation to ensure correct payment on time, every time to employees
• Calculate and process Redundancy payments as required
• Undertake checking of data actioned by other Pensions staff maintaining accuracy and correct interpretation of legislation/T&Cs
• Liaise with Team Leader of quality issues
• Liaise with HR Managers, Department Heads and outside agencies on a regular basis
• Effective and accurate handling of all Pensions related queries
• Meet all Statutory requirements efficiently and accurately
• Ensure confidentiality and Data Protection is adhered to at all times
• Communicate and explain clearly and effectively any Pensions related queries with managers, staff and other departments, including tax and National insurance (by telephone, in writing or in person)
• Deal with all queries from external bodies in a timely and accurate mannerMaintain accurate Pensions records in line with DOH requirements
• To be aware of any changes to policies or procedures
• Represent the department as and when required
• Prompt and accurate processing of Pensions related regulations for staff
• Assist with the training of junior staff

Working for our organisation

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol city centre and Weston.

With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

For a more detailed job description, main responsibilities, and Person Specification, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy.

Person specification

Education And Qualifications

Desirable criteria

• GCSE Maths and English (A)

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

Essential criteria

• Good computer skills/numeracy
• Working to strict deadlines in a demanding and pressured environment
• Able to work as part of a team

Experience

Essential criteria

• Proven practical experience of Microsoft Office, Excel and database software
• Administrative experience in an office environment

Desirable criteria

• Experience in NHS Payroll / using ESR

Personal Qualities

Essential criteria

• Highly organised and detail-oriented, with the ability to maintain exceptional levels of accuracy when processing complex pension data and working to strict statutory deadlines
• Customer-focused and approachable, with excellent communication skills and the ability to handle sensitive and confidential pension enquiries professionally, empathetically and with discretion

• As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.
• The Trust is committed to investing in and caring for all our staff. We will support you in maintaining and improving your health and wellbeing, as well as your career development through management and training support - developing exceptional people for exceptional careers.
• BFT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
• To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 all applicants must be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard which will be assessed at Interview.
• If you require sponsorship for a visa to work in the UK, to avoid disappointment, please check to ensure you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.
• The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.
• By applying for this post, you are agreeing to Bristol NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

Important

Due to the high number of applications that are received for some posts we may close this vacancy before the advertised closing date.

Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted for this job.

As a guide interviews should usually take place within 3 weeks of the closing date.

When providing employment reference details, please provide correct work-related email addresses so references can be sought promptly when we are looking to progress your application. Your referee must all be known to you in a line manager or professional lead capacity.