Senior Pensions Administrator

XPS Group; Hurworth-on-Tees; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consulting firm is seeking a Senior Pensions Administrator to join their team in Middlesbrough. This role involves maintaining a client-focused approach, overseeing team processes, and handling complex pensions queries. The ideal candidate will have experience with Defined Benefits schemes and strong Excel skills. The position offers a hybrid working model and a competitive benefits package including annual bonuses and a flexible holiday scheme.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Annual discretionary bonus

25 days holiday plus flexibility to buy/sell holiday

Pension scheme

Healthcare cash plan

Life Assurance cover

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Previous pensions administration experience of Defined Benefits (DB) schemes.
• Experience of current pensions legislation and framework.
• Able to perform complex calculations and check the work of junior colleagues.
• Excellent level of Microsoft Excel and data manipulation.
• Confident communicator and problem solver.
• Self-motivated and enthusiastic.

Responsibilities

• Maintaining a client-focused approach.
• Overseeing the management of monthly and annual processes.
• Monitoring accuracy, performance, and SLAs for the team.
• Handling complex pensions queries.
• Providing expert advice solutions to pensions queries.

Skills

Pensions administration experience

Complex calculations

Microsoft Excel

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Maths and English GCSE grade 4/C or equivalent

Job description

Senior Pensions Administrator - Schemes Events

Consultant

Middlesbrough

Hybrid

Full Time

Permanent

XPS Group is a leading UK consulting and administration business specialising in the pensions and insurance sectors. At XPS, our vision is to create a vibrant place to work where difference is recognised as a strength and where talented people can flourish and achieve their highest potential .

Our Pensions Administration business continues to grow and we are now looking for an experienced Senior Pensions Administrator/ Technician to join our vibrant Middlesbrough office with hybrid working. This is an exciting role and would most likely suit someone with previous experience in a similarrole where they have gained knowledge and experience of defined benefits pension schemes with advanced excel skills.

A FTSE 250 company, XPS combines expertise and insight with advanced technology and analytics to address the needs of over 1,400 pension schemes and their sponsoring employers on an ongoing and project basis. We undertake pensions administration for over one million members and provide advisory services to schemes and corporate sponsors in respect of schemes of all sizes, including 88 with assets over £1bn. We also provide wider ranging support to insurance companies in the life and bulk annuities sector.

Our people drive our success and as an XPS employee you can bring your whole self to work - Everyone is treated equally and with respect. We will provide you with the support and training you need to grow and be at your very best. It’s about inclusion and diversity, ensuring all our people feel included, that they belong to XPS and that they’re happy. Above all, it’s about ensuring everyone has a voice and feels valued. Because they are.

The Team

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.

Learn more here: https://www.xpsgroup.com/what-we-do/administration/

The Role

As a Senior Pensions Administrator/ Technician with XPS you will:

• Maintaining a client focused approach, able to develop trusting and credible partnerships with clients both face to face and via the telephone.
• Overseeing the management of monthly and annual processes on the team. Ensuring processes are fully monitored and completed in line with customer and legislation requirements.
• Monitoring accuracy, performance, and SLAs for the team, including activity and client performances, and taking action to ensure targets are met
• Ensuring standard documentation is scheme specific and incorporating them into existing procedures.
• Where appropriate participating in client meetings.
• Handling complex pensions queries.
• Sign out non-standard letters in response to client and member queries.
• Updating relevant pension administration databases and systems.
• Performing manual benefits calculations.
• Helping identify any training needs across the team and assisting with developing and mentoring team members.
• Supporting, motivating and coaching colleagues to the benefit of the team and wider Company.
• Managing ad hoc projects and exercises.
• Acting as a key member of the pensions administration team, providing support to the assigned team leader.
• Monitoring, delegating and co-ordinating workflow, reporting regularly to team leader on progress and issue management.
• Seeking ways of innovating and improving quality, service delivery and efficiencies in processes and procedures.
• Providing expert advice solutions to pensions queries and pensions consultative advice; keeping abreast of technical and legislative developments within the pensions industry, and providing technical support to more junior staff.
  
  

Your profile

Essential Criteria

• Previous pensions administration experience of Defined Benefits (DB) schemes. Public sector schemes are highly desirable.
• Experience of current pensions legislation and framework.
• Able to perform complex calculations and checking work of junior colleagues.
• Excellent level of Microsoft Excel and data manipulation.
• Maths and English GCSE grade 4/C or equivalent.
• Confident communicator and problem solver.
• Self-motivated and enthusiastic approach to work, in particular taking responsibility for personal and technical continuous professional development.
• An eagerness to take on responsibility and adopt a flexible approach when work pressures are high.
• Able to see projects/tasks through to completion within given timescales.
• Great interpersonal and organisational skills.
  
  

What We Offer

Find out more about Life at XPS

Find out more about Our People Approach

We offer an attractive reward package, typical benefits can include:

• Competitive salary
• Participation in annual discretionary Bonus Scheme
• 25 days holiday plus flexibility to buy or sell holiday
• Flexible Bank holidays
• Pension scheme, matching contribution structure
• Healthcare cash plan
• Flexible Benefits Scheme to support you in and out of work, helping you look after you and your family covering Security & Protection, Health & Wellbeing, Lifestyle
• Life Assurance cover, four times basic salary
• XPS Rewards (offers High Street discounts and savings from retailers and services providers as well as offers available via phone)
• Employee Assistance Programme for you and your household
• Access to a digital GP service
• Paid volunteering day when participating in Company organised events
• Staff referral scheme when you introduce a friend to XPS
  
  

What Next

If you feel XPS could be the next step on your career ladder, please apply directly via the links provided and we look forward to learning more about you. We will consider all applicants and respond swiftly.

Please discuss with the recruitment team, via phone or email, if you require any adjustments to the recruitment process. For example, we can provide materials in an alternative format, or give you extra time in interviews or tests.

If you do not feel ready to apply or still have questions, please email us by clicking here

The successful candidate will need to demonstrate the following requirements:

• Right to Work confirmation
• DBS Disclosure check
• Employment or educational references covering five years
• Satisfactory credit check
  
  

We continuously strive to build an inclusive workplace where all forms of diversity are valued, including age, background, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, race, religion or sexual orientation.

Please note we reserve the right to close our vacancies early and we only accept CVs direct from candidates or our preferred supplier list.

XPS try wherever possible to respond to all applicants if for any reason you have not heard from us within 28 days of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.