Senior Pensions Administrator – BPA Provider

Oliver James Group; Manchester; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Oliver James Group is seeking a Senior Pensions Administrator for Bulk Purchase Annuity Operations in Manchester to lead day-to-day administration of BPA policies and defined benefit schemes. You will deliver accurate, timely service to policyholders and members, maintain data integrity, support go-live of new schemes, and contribute to governance, reporting and process improvements.

The ideal candidate has BPA/DB experience, strong Excel and analytical skills, excellent organisation, and the

Qualifications

• Pensions administration experience, ideally in defined benefit or BPA environments.
• Solid understanding of pensions administration, including GMPs, and regulatory landscape.
• Proficient with data analysis; able to interpret complex information.
• Strong communication and organisational abilities.
• Experience collaborating with trustees, policyholders and suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Own day-to-day BPA policy and DB scheme administration ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Provide proactive service to policyholders including those in vulnerable circumstances under FCA Consumer Duty.
• Manage activity, records and data integrity; handle retirement, transfer and bereavement quotations and settlements.
• Prepare new schemes for go-live, including buy‑in shadow admin and payroll data cleansing.
• Conduct QA checks, monitor service levels and mentor colleagues.
• Support reporting, reconciliations, governance, projects and process improvements.

Skills

Pensions administration

DB/BPA experience

Regulatory awareness

Data analysis

Communication skills

Organisation & prioritisation

Education

Pensions administration qualification

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Bulk Purchase Annuity (BPA) Operations: Senior Pensions Administrator

The Opportunity

Our BPA Operations team is expanding, and we're looking for an experienced pensions professional to help deliver first-class administration for policyholders and members of defined benefit schemes.

What You'll Be Doing

• Taking ownership of the day-to-day administration of BPA policies and defined benefit schemes, making sure all work is accurate, timely and aligned with legislation, benefit specifications and internal policy
• Supporting policyholders with clear, proactive and personalised service including those in vulnerable circumstances in line with FCA Consumer Duty
• Managing policyholder and member activity including maintaining records and safeguarding data integrity to handling queries and processing retirement, transfer and bereavement quotations and settlements
• Preparing newly on boarded schemes for go-live, including buy-in shadow administration, payroll processing, data cleansing and the move to buy-out
• Carrying out quality assurance checks, tracking service levels and coaching and supporting colleagues
• Contributing to reporting, reconciliations, governance, projects and ongoing process improvement

What You’ll Bring

• Pensions administration experience, ideally in defined benefit or BPA environments (defined contribution exposure is also welcome)
• Solid understanding of pensions administration, including Guaranteed Minimum Pensions, and the relevant legislative and regulatory landscape
• Confidence with administration systems and Microsoft Excel, alongside good analytical, problem solving and decision making skills
• Excellent organisation and prioritisation skills
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build good working relationships with policyholders, trustees, colleagues and external suppliers
• A pensions administration qualification and knowledge of Irish pensions law would be a bonus, but aren't essential