Northern LGPS - Third Party Relationship Manager

Help build a resilient and well-governed outsourced operating model. Northern LGPS is entering a significant new phase of its development, establishing a new FCA authorised investment management company to manage around £70bn of assets on behalf of three Local Government Pension Scheme funds. As a Third Party Relationship Manager, you’ll play a vital role in ensuring the organisation maintains effective oversight of the critical third-party providers that support its operations. Reporting to the Finance Director, you’ll lead the day-to-day operation of the Third Party Risk Management (TPRM) framework, helping to ensure outsourced arrangements remain compliant, resilient and aligned with regulatory expectations. This is an opportunity to establish robust governance and supplier oversight within a newly created investment management organisation.

About Northern LGPS: Northern LGPS is a c£70bn pooled investment partnership for the Local Government Pension Scheme, bringing together the investments of Greater Manchester Pension Fund, Merseyside Pension Fund and West Yorkshire Pension Fund. Building on the foundations of its collaboration over several years, Northern LGPS is now entering the next phase of its development. This phase focuses on establishing an FCA authorised investment management company with a dedicated senior leadership team, strengthening governance and creating a clear operating model to support long-term investment outcomes. For those joining at this stage, the opportunity is exceptional. These roles offer the chance to shape strategy, set standards and build leadership capability for the long term, working closely with the partner funds, who are both shareholders and clients, Boards and regulators to ensure Northern LGPS continues to evolve as a well-governed, resilient investment organisation.

Our culture: As Northern LGPS continues to evolve, we are building a collaborative, open and trusting organisation where people can do their best work. We believe strong outcomes come from working together, sharing knowledge and supporting one another. Our flexible and hybrid working arrangements give colleagues greater flexibility in how they manage their time, while supporting collaboration and colleague wellbeing. We are developing a supportive learning culture where people are encouraged to grow, contribute ideas and help shape how the organisation works. Our ambition is to build a resilient and sustainable organisation that delivers for its Partner Funds over the long term.

Main responsibilities:

• Implement and operate Northern LGPS's Third Party Risk Management (TPRM) framework, including materiality assessments, provider tiering and oversight standards.
• Maintain the register of outsourcing and third-party arrangements, ensuring critical providers are appropriately identified and reported.
• Lead due diligence and onboarding activities, assessing financial standing, operational capability, information security, resilience and control environments.
• Manage the ongoing monitoring of material suppliers, including performance reviews, financial stability assessments and independent control reporting.
• Own the KPI and service level framework for third-party providers, leading service reviews and driving performance improvements.
• Escalate service failures, control weaknesses and supplier risks through the appropriate governance forums.
• Support procurement activity by contributing to request for proposal (RFP) design, supplier evaluations and contract negotiations.
• Maintain the contract register, monitoring renewals, key dates, variations and notice periods.
• Prepare management information and reporting for governance forums, executive committees and the Board.
• Support regulatory reporting, audits and assurance activities relating to outsourced service providers, operational resilience and business continuity.

What we're looking for:

• Third-party risk management and supplier oversight.
• Outsourcing governance and operational resilience.
• Due diligence, onboarding and supplier performance management.
• Contract management, KPIs and service level agreements.
• Procurement support and commercial supplier management.
• Risk management and governance reporting.
• Working with senior stakeholders, suppliers and regulatory requirements.
• Delivering robust governance throughout the supplier lifecycle.

Hours of work: 37 hours per week.

Location: Any NLGPS location.

Salary Range and Grade: Grade C (£80,000 - £100,000).

Sponsorship: We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

Application deadline: 28 August 2026 at 17:00 (5:00pm). We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a sufficient volume of suitable applications.

Equal opportunities: We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race (including colour, nationality, and ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and able to thrive. If you require any adjustments to the recruitment process to support your application, please let us know, and we will work with you to meet your needs.