SSAS Senior Pensions Consultant

SSAS Senior Pensions Consultant
Location: Manchester
Type: Hybrid, Full Time, Permanent
Reference: REQ002861

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 Self Invested Pensions business continues to grow and we are now looking for a SSAS Senior Pensions Consultant to join our vibrant Manchester office with hybrid working. This is an exciting role and would most likely suit someone with previous experience in a similar role where they have gained extensive knowledge and experience of SIPP / SSAS administration.

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.

The Team
XPS Self Invested Pensions is part of XPS Group. We manage relationships with thousands of clients and hundreds of professional financial advice firms. Our team of specialist staff look after SIPP and SSAS client assets worth £2.5bn. Our emphasis on clients means we provide personal contacts. Our business thrives by employing people who are intelligent, seek learning daily, work independently as well as part of a team, and who feel rewarded by delivering an excellent human-to-human service to clients and their advisers.

The Role
As a SSAS Senior Pensions Consultant with XPS you will be:

• Answering queries by phone, letter and email, providing excellent customer service.
• Using SSAS-pro and SIPP-pro and other computer systems to check and update records including the daily work log.
• Processing pension contributions, transferring benefits, and/or the administration and trusteeship to/from another provider.
• Closing/winding-up a pension account or scheme.
• Processing new bank account and investment account applications.
• Dealing with setting up new loans and ongoing administration of these.
• Providing comments on member's pension policies.
• Providing information to third parties.
• Dealing with property purchases, sales and leases.
• Providing reports and information to HMRC and FCA.
• Handling divorce and death benefit issues.
• Attending client meetings as and when required.
• Checking work of more junior colleagues, providing coaching, training and guidance.
• Following the complaints process and being able to overcome client's objections and deal with difficult situations.
• Participating in any project work.
• Actively liaising and providing feedback to team manager regarding staff, technical and risk issues.
• Assisting with the reallocation of work within the team to cover absence and ensuring service standards are met.

Your Profile
Essential Criteria

• Maths and English GCSE grade 4/C or equivalent.
• Demonstrable extensive previous experience in a similar SIPP/SSAS pensions role.
• Broad range of communication and influencing skills.
• Attention to detail and the ability to challenge third parties when required.
• Confident, self-motivated, and very organised.
• Able to work towards tight and urgent deadlines.

What We Offer:
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.
• Life Assurance cover, four times basic salary.
• XPS Rewards (offers High Street discounts and savings).
• 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. 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.

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.

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 tries wherever possible to respond to all applicants. If you have not heard from us within 28 days of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.