Pensions Operations Manager

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Pensions Operations Manager

Managing Consultant Grade

Newcastle or Middlesbrough

Hybrid

Full Time

Permanent

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 Pensions Operations Manager to join either our vibrant Middlesbrough or Newcastle 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 knowledge and experience of managing, developing and delivering pensions administration services.

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 a Pensions Operations Manager with XPS you will:

• Contribute to maintaining the high-quality standards required within the company, and seek continually to enhance the quality long term sustainability of the services provided to our clients across the business.
• Manage and continually develop the pension's administration capability by demonstrating positive leadership skills and actively mentoring Administration Managers and their Deputies when required.
• Actively contribute to the attraction, training and retention of employees by recruiting appropriately; and motivating, rewarding and developing existing employees. Manage HR issues and coordinate administration resources.
• Develop the commercial aspects of the function, involving Administration Managers in tendering and client facing work, billing effectively for value added to clients, and ensure that profit is delivered. Participate in on-going detailed analysis of the efficiency of our systems and processes. This will include working collaboratively with other areas of the Pension Administration business such as the Projects Team.
• 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.
• Build strong and productive relationships with senior actuaries across the business, in all other offices.
• Assist on strategic business change and effectively manage the implementation of new practices and processes.
• Contribute to business wide process and systems change.

Your profile

Essential Criteria

• Already an experienced and successful pension professional, you will have a strong track record in managing, developing and delivering pensions administration services.
• The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate a very thorough knowledge of technical pension administration activities and the ability to apply this knowledge to any scheme.
• Previous pensions administration experience of Defined Benefits (DB) & Defined Contributions (DC) schemes is required.
• Proven experience in all areas of the new business lifecycle including formulating and assisting in the writing of proposals, preparing and delivering client pitches and subsequent client negotiations.
• Experience of operating within and contributing to a compliant framework, and a strong understanding of quality standards.
• Previous line management experience, including appraisal process, HR issue management, performance management and recruitment related activities.
• IT proficient, in particular Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook & PowerPoint.
• APMI (or applicants deemed 'qualified by experience' would be considered).
• Strong Maths and English GCSE or equivalent qualification - minimum grade B or equivalent.

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.