Senior Pensions Administrator

XPS Group; Newcastle upon Tyne; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Annual discretionary bonus

25 days holiday (buy/sell)

Pension matching

Healthcare plans

Life assurance

Retailer discounts

Flexible benefits scheme

Volunteer days

Referral bonuses

Job summary

XPS Group in Newcastle is seeking a Consultant to join our pensions administration team. You will support DB schemes, ensure accuracy, and contribute to high standards of service for a wide range of trust-based pension schemes.

The role requires experience in pensions, strong organisational skills, and the ability to develop and mentor colleagues. A hybrid working arrangement is offered with emphasis on delivery and quality.

Qualifications

• Previous experience within a similar role dealing with DB schemes.
• Experience within the pensions industry.
• Organised, methodical and accountable approach to responsibilities.
• Ability to develop administrators and processes.
• Strong MS Office skills including Excel and Word.

Responsibilities

• Training of other team members.
• Assisting less experienced team members.
• Checking and authorising colleagues’ work.
• Meeting deadlines and maintaining records.
• Calculation and payment of scheme benefits per Rules.
• Maintain membership records and documentation.
• Understand benefit structures and current pensions legislation.
• Project work as directed by Team Leader or Manager.
• Liaison with clients, actuaries, providers, and payroll members.
• Provide technical information verbally and in writing.
• Comply with ISO and AAF accreditations.
• Update databases and respond to member inquiries via phone, email, and letter.

Skills

DB schemes experience

Pensions industry experience

Organised & proactive

Strong communication

Attention to detail

MS Office (Excel & Word)

Education

GCSE Maths & English B/6

A Level or equivalent

Willingness to study pension qualifications (CPC/QPA/DPC/RPC/APMI)

Job description

About XPS Group

XPS Pensions Group is no ordinary company. We've earned numerous awards and accolades, making us an industry leader in Pensions Consultancy. As the largest pure pensions consultancy in the UK, we are a team of approximately 2000 employees spread across 15 locations nationwide. Listed on the London Stock Exchange Main Market, we pride ourselves on our ability to think and act differently, offering expert advice to over 1600 pension schemes and administering pensions for over 1,000,000 members.

Location: Newcastle

Grade: Consultant

Employment Type: Permanent

Hybrid

REQ003738

About XPS Group

XPS Pensions Group is no ordinary company. We've earned numerous awards and accolades, making us an industry leader in Pensions Consultancy. As the largest pure pensions consultancy in the UK, we are a team of approximately 2000 employees spread across 15 locations nationwide. Listed on the London Stock Exchange Main Market, we pride ourselves on our ability to think and act differently, offering expert advice to over 1600 pension schemes and administering pensions for over 1,000,000 members.

About The Team

Our teams of pension administrators provide services to a wide range of trust-based company pension schemes, including defined benefit, defined contribution, career average revalued earnings, and hybrid schemes. Our range of pensions administration services include: scheme administration, communication, scam identification, payroll services, pension scheme accounting, de-risking projects, technical consultancy.

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.

Ultimately, pension schemes are there for their members; we place just as much emphasis on delivering excellent customer service as we do on technical proficiency and quality control.

Key Responsibilities

• Training of other team members
• Assisting less experienced team members
• Checking and authorising other team members’ work
• Meeting deadlines
• Calculation and payment of scheme benefits in accordance with the Rules
• Maintenance of membership records and other documentation
• Understanding and application of benefit structures, Trust Deed & Rules, current pensions legislation, PSO and Disclosure requirements
• Project work as directed by Team Leader or Manager
• Liaison with Client, Scheme Actuary, Consultants, Providers, Pension Payroll Members and third parties
• Provision of technical information both verbally and in writing
• Compliance with ISO and AAF accreditations
• Completing updates to the database to ensure that records are accurately maintained
• Dealing confidently with member enquiries by phone, email, and letter
• Providing general support to the Administration team/manager
• Ensuring that work is prioritised correctly so that target dates are met
• 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.

Essential

Your Profile

• Previous experience within a similar role dealing with DB schemes
• Experience within the pensions’ industry
• Able to demonstrate ownership, responsibility, and accountability for self
• Be organised, methodical and logical in approach to delegated responsibilities
• Able to assist with developing a culture of high standards, excellent quality and customer responsiveness
• Able to develop administrators and administrative processes
• Be well organised and be a point of reference for knowledge
• Able to plan and then be flexible with that plan
• Be proactive, having drive and commitment
• Able to communicate effectively
• Has a can-do attitude and takes pride in work
• Pays attention to detail
• Computer literate in the use of MS Office products, such as Excel and Word

Qualifications

• Strong Maths and English GCSE or equivalent qualification - minimum grade B/6 or equivalent
• Ideally educated to A Level (or equivalent) stage, although those deemed qualified by experience will be considered.
• Studying for or a willingness to study for a relevant pension’s qualification e.g. CPC/QPA/DPC/RPC/APMI

Desirable

• Good decision maker, able to recognise the impact of decision, having good judgement
• A problem solver, dealing with practical, people and political problems
• Able to delegate effectively
• Achieved some exam successes in professional qualifications such as PMI/QPA/RPC/DPC/DPA and actively working towards full qualification

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.

Who Are We

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