Senior Pensions Administrator

XPS Group; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Annual discretionary bonus

25 days holiday with buy/sell flexibility

Pension matching

Healthcare plans

Life assurance

Retailer discounts

Paid volunteer days

Job summary

XPS Group is seeking a Senior Pensions Administrator to join their Birmingham office with hybrid working options. This role is ideal for applicants with experience in Defined Benefit pension administration and strong manual calculation skills.

Your responsibilities will include overseeing pension administration tasks, mentoring junior staff, and ensuring compliance with legislative requirements. Enjoy a competitive salary, an annual discretionary bonus, and a range of benefits including healthcare and pension matching.

Qualifications

• Experience in Defined Benefit pension administration including handling leavers and transfers.
• Knowledge of current pensions legislation and framework.
• Ability to perform complex calculations.

Responsibilities

• Adhere to best practices in pensions administration.
• Oversee monthly and annual process management.
• Handle complex pensions queries.
• Monitor team performance and client interactions.

Skills

Defined Benefit pension administration

Manual calculations

Client management

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Mentoring

IT proficiency (Word, Excel, Outlook)

Organizational skills

Education

Maths and English GCSE grade 4/C or equivalent

Job description

About XPS Group

XPS Group is a prominent 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.

Location: Birmingham

Employment Type: Permanent, Full Time

Grade: Consultant

Hybrid: Yes

Job ID: REQ003408

About The Role

Our Pensions Administration business continues to grow, and we are now looking for an experienced Senior Pensions Administrator to join our vibrant Birmingham office with hybrid working. This is an exciting role and would most likely suit someone with previous experience in Defined Benefit (DB) pension administration, able to perform manual calculations and able to check the work of less experienced pensions administrators.

Our award‑winning pensions administration business puts scheme members at the heart of everything we do. Our services include scheme administration, first‑time outsourcing, member communications and scam protection.

Key Responsibilities

• Adhere to best practice procedures in all aspects of pensions administration related tasks as defined by the Company.
• Maintain a client focused approach, able to develop trusting and credible partnerships with clients both face to face and via the telephone.
• Oversee the management of monthly and annual processes on the team. Ensure processes are fully monitored and completed in line with customer and legislation requirements.
• Monitor accuracy, performance, and SLAs for the team, including activity and client performances, and take action to ensure targets are met.
• Ensure standard documentation is scheme specific and incorporate them into existing procedures.
• Where appropriate, participate in client meetings.
• Handle complex pensions queries.
• Sign out non‑standard letters in response to client and member queries.
• Update relevant pension administration databases and systems.
• Perform manual benefits calculations.
• Identify any training needs across the team and assist with developing and mentoring team members.
• Support, motivate and coach colleagues to the benefit of the team and the wider Company.
• Manage ad hoc projects and exercises.
• Act as a key member of the pensions administration team, providing support to the assigned team leader.
• Monitor, delegate and coordinate workflow, reporting regularly to team leader on progress and issue management.
• Seek ways of innovating and improving quality, service delivery and efficiencies in processes and procedures.
• Provide expert advice solutions to pensions queries and pensions consultative advice; keep abreast of technical and legislative developments within the pensions industry, and provide technical support to more junior staff.
• Work closely with other departments/teams both internal and external to the Company to provide a total service to our clients. E.g. Pensions Accounts, Payroll, Administration Support.
• Ensure the accurate updating of time recording system (OpenAir) for both chargeable and non‑chargeable activities and meeting required utilisation targets.

Your Profile

• Previous pensions administration experience of Defined Benefit (DB) schemes including leavers, final salary, retirements, deaths, transfers in and transfers out.
• Experience of current pensions legislation and framework.
• Able to perform complex calculations and checking work of junior colleagues.
• IT proficient, in particular Microsoft Word, Excel & Outlook.
• Confident communicator and problem solver.
• Self‑motivated and enthusiastic approach to work, taking responsibility for personal and technical continuous professional development.
• Readiness to take on responsibility and adopt a flexible approach when work pressures are high.
• Ability to see projects/tasks through to completion within given timescales.
• Great interpersonal and organisational skills.

Qualifications

• Maths and English GCSE grade 4/C or equivalent.

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 Opportunity 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.