Senior Pensions Administrator - Scheme Events

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Senior Pensions Administrator - Scheme Events

Senior Associate Level

Middlesbrough

Hybrid

Full Time

Permanent

Ref: REQ002748

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 - Scheme Events to join our vibrant Middlesbrough office with hybrid working. This is an exciting role and would most likely suit someone with previous experience in Defined Benefit (DB) pension administration, able to perform manual calculations and able to check the work of less experienced pensions administrators.

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 Senior Pensions Administrator - Scheme Events with XPS you will:

• Annual pension increase exercises for schemes supported by the team
• Production of annual benefit statements, Pension Savings Statements and SMPI statements (as required)
• Production of wake-up comms to members approaching NRA or over NRA
• Create mail-merges, arrange dispatch/uploading of statements and letters to member portal
• Complete Scheme Returns for each scheme, liaise with actuarial and investment colleagues as appropriate and clients
• Complete Annual Event reports for each scheme / quarterly AFTs - arrange payment of tax
• GMPe testing of calculations / GMPr etc.
• Production of quarterly administration/stewardship reports
• Tracing (annual/quarterly/monthly) - supporting the admin teams and working with the Tracing team
• Assist production of benefit specifications for buy-in/buy-out work
• Bespoke project work as directed by Team Leader/Manager
• Complex calculations / checking and authorising cases - supporting admin on some individual cases
• Checking and authorising other team members' work
• Understanding and application of benefit structures, Trust Deed & Rules, current pensions legislation, PSO and Disclosure requirements
• Liaison with Client, Scheme Actuary, Consultants, Providers, Pension Payroll Members and third parties
• Provision of technical information both verbally and in writing
• Compliance with ISO and AAF accreditations
• Completing updates to the database to ensure that records are accurately maintained / data cleansing
• Dealing confidently with member enquiries by phone, email, and letter (where required)
• Providing general support to the Administration team/manager
• Ensuring that work is prioritised correctly so that target dates are met
• Training of other team members and assisting less experienced team members where/as required.

Your profile

Essential Criteria

• Previous pensions administration experience of Defined Benefit (DB) schemes including leavers, final salary, retirements, deaths, transfers in and transfers out.
• Experience of current pensions legislation and framework.
• Able to perform complex calculations and checking 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, in particular 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

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.