Senior Pensions Administrator

Xps Group; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK consultancy and administration firm is seeking an experienced Senior Pensions Administrator to join their vibrant Leeds office. This role involves overseeing pensions administration tasks, managing processes, and providing expert advice. Candidates should have experience with Defined Benefit schemes, excellent communication skills, and the ability to perform complex calculations. The position supports hybrid working and offers competitive benefits including a discretionary bonus and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Annual discretionary bonus

25 days' holiday with buy/sell flexibility

Pension matching

Healthcare plans

Life assurance

Retailer discounts

Paid volunteer days

Qualifications

• Previous pensions administration experience in Defined Benefit (DB) schemes.
• Knowledge of current pensions legislation and framework.
• Ability to perform complex calculations and check junior colleagues' work.

Responsibilities

• Adhere to best practice procedures in pensions administration.
• Maintain client-focused relationships and oversee monthly processes.
• Monitor accuracy, performance, and service level agreements.

Skills

Pensions administration

Complex calculations

Confident communication

Problem solving

IT proficiency

Interpersonal skills

Organisational skills

Education

Maths and English GCSE grade 4/C or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Outlook

Job description

Our Pensions Administration business continues to grow, and we are now looking for an experienced Senior Pensions Administrator to join our vibrant Leeds 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 check the work of less experienced pensions administrators.

Responsibilities

• Adhere to best practice procedures in all aspects of pensions administration related tasks as defined by the Company.
• Maintain a client focused approach, developing 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, ensuring 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.
• Participate in client meetings where appropriate.
• 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 training needs across the team and assist in developing and mentoring team members.
• Support, motivate and coach colleagues to the benefit of the team and 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 the 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 the time recording system (OpenAir) for both chargeable and non-chargeable activities and meet required utilisation targets.

Qualifications

• 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 the work of junior colleagues.
• IT proficiency, 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.
• 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.
• Maths and English GCSE grade 4/C or equivalent.

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.

Benefits

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.