Operations Manager

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Pensions Operations Manager

Middlesbrough

Hybrid

Full Time

Permanent

Managing Consultant

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 and strategic Pensions Operations Manager to join our vibrant office in Middlesbrough with hybrid working. This is an exciting role and would most likely suit someone with previous experience in a similar senior head of pensions or pensions operations manager where they have extensive knowledge of defined benefit pensions schemes and strong leadership skills.

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. We also provide wider ranging support to insurance companies in the life and bulk annuities sector.

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: https://www.xpsgroup.com/what-we-do/administration/]

The Role

As an Operations Manager with XPS you will

provide full time management of the teams, with a particular focus on aspects such as commercial, people, client and process development and will...

• Contribute to maintaining the high quality standards required within the company, and continually seek to enhance the quality long term sustainability of the services provided to our clients across the business.
• Manage and continually develop the pensions administration capability in the offices for which you are responsible by demonstrating positive leadership skills and actively mentoring colleagues when required.
• Actively contribute to the attraction, training and retention of employees by recruiting appropriately, alongside motivating, rewarding and developing existing employees.
• Manage HR issues for your region when escalated to you.
• Develop the commercial aspects of the function, involving Administration Managers in tendering and client facing work, billing effectively for value added to clients, to ensure that profit is delivered. Participate in on-going detailed analysis of the efficiency of our systems and processes.
• Assist on tendering processes, creating responses to tenders and leading the administration aspects of full service tenders
• Conduct client assignments such as trustee secretarial appointments, project work, client relationship management etc.

Your profile

Essential Criteria

• Previous experience at management or head of pensions administration within DB and DC pensions schemes is a must.
• Thorough knowledge of technical pension administration activities and the ability to apply this knowledge to any scheme.
• Proven experience in all areas of the new business lifecycle including formulating and writing proposals, preparing and delivering client pitches and subsequent client negotiations.
• Previous line management experience is required, including appraisal process, HR issue management, performance management and recruitment related activities.
• Experience of operating within and contributing to a compliant framework, and a strong understanding of quality standards.
• Well-developed project management skills and the ability to see projects/tasks from concept through to completion within given timescales.
• APMI (or applicants deemed 'qualified by experience' would be considered).
• Strong management and leadership skills.
• Excellent communication and organisation skills.
• Adaptable.

What we offer:

Find out more about Life at XPS

Find out more about Our People Approach

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.

If you do not feel ready to apply or still have questions, please email us by clicking here

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.