Pensions Operations Manager - Public Sector

Xafinity Consulting Ltd; Tees Valley; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday

Pension matching

Healthcare plans

Life assurance

Retailer discounts

Flexible benefits

Volunteer days

Job summary

XPS Group is hiring a Pensions Operations Manager for the Public Sector in Middlesbrough. The role focuses on governance, compliance, people development and process improvement, with potential client management and fee-earning duties.

You will support the Regional Operations Manager, drive quality, profitability, and long-term sustainability, and mentor Pension Administration staff across the team.

Qualifications

• Educated to a minimum of A Level, Degree or equivalent standard.
• APMI qualification is desirable or considered by experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver pension administration services for Middlesbrough office.
• Develop and mentor Administration Managers and Deputies.
• Support tendering, client pitches, and negotiations where appropriate.
• Maintain high-quality standards and long-term sustainability of services.
• Collaborate with senior actuaries and other offices on strategic change.

Skills

Pensions administration management

Public Sector pensions knowledge

Leadership

Communication skills

IT proficiency: Word, Excel, Outlook,

Education

A Level or Degree or equivalent

APMI qualification

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Outlook

Job description

At XPS, we don't just value the work you do – we value you. Your ambition, your ideas, your career goals and your life outside of work.Whether you're looking for your next challenge, greater flexibility, or a place where you can make a real impact, you'll find opportunities to thrive at XPS. We're built on collaboration, trust and expertise, giving our people the freedom to work their way, shape their path and be themselves.If you're looking for a career where you can grow, belong and make a difference, we'd love to hear from you.Find a career that's built for you.

Job profile for Pensions Operations Manager - Public Sector

Pensions Operations Manager - Public Sector

The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.As disability confident committed, we will support all applicants throughout the recruitment process. Each stage of the process is inclusive and offers reasonable adjustments where required.If you need the job description in an alternative format or would like us to do anything differently during the application process, please let us know.

Job details

Contractual hours 36.25

Basis Full time

Job category/type - XPS Administration

Date posted 01/10/2026

Job reference REQ003728

Job description

Pensions Operations Manager - Public Sector

Location: Middlesbrough

Employment Type: Permanent, Full Time

Grade: Senior Consultant

Hybrid

REQ003728

About XPS Group:

XPS Group is a prominent and growing UK consultancy and administration firm within the pensions and insurance sectors. As a FTSE 250 company with over 2000 employees, we leverage expertise alongside advanced technology to serve over 1,400 pension schemes and their sponsors. Our goal is to foster a workplace where diverse talents thrive.

About the Role:

Our teams of pension administrators deliver services to a wide range of public sector pension schemes, including defined benefit, career average revalued earnings (CARE), and hybrid arrangements.

Our administrative approach is scheme-based; one team is responsible for every aspect of each client’s service, enabling us to build the best possible relationships and provide the clarity of focus each scheme deserves.

Your role will be to assist the Regional Operations Manager in the leadership and direction of the Pension Administration Team in our Middlesbrough office, preferably on site.

The Pensions Operations Manager provides full-time oversight of the teams, with a particular emphasis on governance, compliance, people development, and process improvement. For the right candidate, there may also be opportunities to engage in client relationship management and fee-earning activities. However, the primary focus of the role is ensuring the consistent delivery of high-quality services, developing the capabilities of your team, and enhancing the systems, procedures, and compliance framework that underpin our work across the public sector.

Key Responsibilities:

Reporting to a Regional Operations Manager and being a key member of their management team, you will be actively involved in the management and delivery of our pension administration services across the Middlesbrough office, with opportunities to support projects which may impact the wider Pension Administration business. Specific objectives focus on optimizing the balance between 3 overall aims:

• Quality - delivering an industry leading quality service
• Profit - running an efficient and profitable operation
• Long term sustainability – investing in our clients, people and systems

In pursuit of these aims, your objectives would be to assist your Regional Operations Manager to:

• Maintain and enhance high-quality standards and long-term sustainability of services provided to clients across the business.
• Manage and develop the pensions administration capability by demonstrating positive leadership and mentoring Administration Managers and their Deputies when required.
• Contribute to attracting, training, and retaining employees by recruiting appropriately and motivating, rewarding, and developing existing team members. Manage HR issues and coordinate administration resources.
• Develop the commercial aspects of the function, involving Administration Managers in tendering and client-facing work, billing effectively for value added to clients, and ensuring profitability. Participate in ongoing analysis of the efficiency of systems and processes, collaborating with other areas such as the Projects Team.
• Assist with tendering processes, creating responses, and leading the administration aspects of full-service tenders.
• Conduct client assignments such as trustee secretarial appointments, project work, and client relationship management.
• Build strong and productive relationships with senior actuaries across the business and other offices.
• Support strategic business change and manage the implementation of new practices and processes.
• Contribute to business-wide process and systems change.
• Due to the changing nature of the business, the job holder may from time to time be required to undertake other activities of a similar nature that fall within their capabilities.

Your Profile:

Essential:

• Experienced pension professional with a strong track record in managing, developing, and delivering pensions administration services - Specifically within the Public Sector.
• Thorough knowledge of technical pension administration activities and ability to apply this knowledge to any scheme.
• Previous experience with Defined Benefits (DB) and Defined Contributions (DC) schemes.
• Proven experience across the new business lifecycle, including proposals, client pitches, and negotiations.
• Experience operating within a compliant framework and strong understanding of quality standards.
• Previous line management experience, including appraisals, HR issue management, performance management, and recruitment.
• IT proficiency, particularly Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Demonstrated leadership skills in mentoring and motivating teams.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to inspire, lead, and manage a diverse team.
• Resilience and ability to work under pressure.
• Strong numerical, analytical, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Collaborative team player with enthusiasm.
• Highly organized with ability to plan and prioritize workloads.
• Commercial and professional focus with a results-oriented mindset.
• Confidence in engaging at senior levels and a creative, forward-thinking approach.
• Commitment to a customer-focused approach, ensuring quality and exceeding expectations.

Qualifications:

• Educated to a minimum of A Level, Degree or equivalent standard.
• Ideally a minimum of three C grades or above at A Level or equivalent qualification.
• Strong Maths and English GCSE or equivalent qualification (minimum grade B).
• APMI qualification (or applicants deemed ‘qualified by experience’ would be considered).

What We Offer:

Enjoy a competitive salary, annual discretionary bonus, and 25 days’ holiday with buy/sell flexibility. Benefits include pension matching, healthcare plans, life assurance, and retailer discounts. We support our team with a flexible benefits scheme, employee assistance, and digital GP service. Participating in volunteering events is encouraged with paid volunteer days available. Referral bonuses are offered for introducing suitable candidates to XPS.

Equal Opportunities Statement:

XPS Group is committed to diversity and equal opportunities. We welcome applications from all candidates, irrespective of sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion, or belief. As a Disability Confident employer, we ensure accessible and supportive work settings for all employees.

Eligibility:

Any employment offer made will be conditional upon you satisfying DBS Disclosure checks, Employment or educational references, Satisfactory credit checks and eligibility to work in the UK before an offer can be made. XPS Group is not able to provide sponsorship to employees.

Who Are We:

To find out more please visit: www.xpsgroup.com