Senior Pensions Administrator

Senior Pensions Administrator

Middlesbrough

Hybrid

Full Time

Permanent

Consultant Level

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 to join our vibrant Middlesbrough office with hybrid working. This is an exciting role and would most likely suit someone in a similar role where they have gained knowledge and experience of defined benefit pensions schemes, client work and perform complex calculations.

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.

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: XPS Group Administration

The Role

As a Senior Pensions Administrator with XPS you will:

• Adhere to best practice procedures in all aspects of pensions administration related tasks as defined by the Company.
• Maintain a client focused approach, able to develop 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 legislative 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.
• Help identify any training needs across the team and assist with 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 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; keeping abreast of technical and legislative developments within the pensions industry, and providing technical support to more junior staff.
• Work closely with other departments/teams both internal and external to the Company in order to provide a total service to our clients, e.g. Pensions Accounts, Payroll, Administration Support.
• Ensure the accurate updating of time recording system (OpenAir) for both chargeable and non-chargeable activities and meet required utilisation targets.

Your profile

Essential Criteria

• Previous pensions administration experience of Defined Benefit (DB) schemes including leavers, final salary, retirements, deaths, transfers in and transfers out.
• Public Sector pension schemes would be highly desirable.
• Experience of current pensions legislation and framework.
• Perform complex calculations and check work of junior colleagues.
• IT proficient, in particular Microsoft Word, Excel & Outlook.
• Maths and English GCSE grade 4/C or equivalent.
• Confident communicator and problem solver.
• Self-motivated and enthusiastic approach to work, particularly in 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

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.

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.