Scheme Transition Consultant

Location: Bristol, Watford or London Office

Job Summary

The job purpose is to provide project management of our existing portfolio and onboarding of new bulk annuity business through the end to end process. The role holder will ensure a robust control environment as a scheme transitions. The role holder will be considered a specialist for the company in respect of the Defined Benefit pensions administration and bulk annuity business with an in-depth understanding of the end-to-end bulk annuity process and the external market. Ensure effective and complete stakeholder management through the transition process until the final premium is completed, communicated and settled, ensuring Trustees have the best customer experience at all times.

Responsibilities

• Project Manage all assigned transitions from exclusive appointment, or earlier if required, ensuring timely completion of all tasks in line with client and business expectations.
• Be the main contact for your own portfolio of new client installs, attending beauty parade, regular transition calls / meetings with the client and as required by the ceding third party administrator.
• To oversee the transfer of assets for new clients. This role will involve end to end planning of the asset transition and data migration for new business.
• Ensure that all delivery promises and performance standards are achieved.
• Communicate and agree operational tasks for all schemes in transition such as movement reporting and payroll funding with client, agreeing non-standard processes internally before implementing with clients.
• Ensure understanding of final data and data queries, managing queries between Canada Life and the Client until finalised data schedule is agreed to a satisfactory level to be handed over to Operational Teams.
• Be a point of reference on technical issues and administration related queries.
• Work with your team and the business to create a positive working environment.
• Provide an efficient, professional service to meet all client/members' needs and to promote the Canada Life brand.
• Ensure that all procedures and client controls are established and documented during transition.
• Ensure we maintain within Risk appetite and provide appropriate reporting for RCSA and CORC reporting as required.
• Challenge procedures to identify and drive process improvements.
• Complete all regulatory checks and reviews associated with new transactions, recording the activity to ensure robust audit trail.
• Act as lead on data cleanse process for assigned projects agreeing project plans with internal and external stakeholders updating as required if any key deliverables change or are delayed.
• Drive through data cleanse processes to a satisfactory conclusion, ensuring key deliverable are completed in line with agreed timescales and coordinating completion of all activities until handover to Finance and Actuarial Teams.
• Provision of technical information both verbally and in writing.
• Calculation of scheme benefits in accordance with the scheme rules and benefit specifications.
• Maintain up to date knowledge of the Bulk Annuity proposition and processes along with any changes of pensions and de-risking legislation and market developments.
• Ensure team across Aptia and Canada Life are operationally ready to deliver the desired customer outcomes as the market and our proposition develops.

Experience Required

• Strong knowledge of DB pensions and previous experience in dealing with DB pensions administration in particular deferred liabilities.
• Experience of working on projects or implementations.
• An understanding of DB pensions, pension scheme administration requirements and systems.
• An understanding of DB de-risking administration requirements and how they differ from standard pensions administration.
• Strong numeracy and analytical skills.
• Ability to grasp complex financial/actuarial concepts and methodologies.
• Able to organise work under pressure and to tight deadlines.
• Good knowledge of all products, processes and procedures within team.
• Able to assist between all teams as demand requires.
• Able to develop good working relationships within team and with internal and external customers.

Benefits

We believe in recognising and rewarding our people, so we offer a competitive salary and benefits package that is regularly reviewed. As a Canada Life UK colleague, you’ll receive a competitive salary and comprehensive reward package including a generous pension and bonus scheme, along with income protection, private medical insurance and life assurance. We also provide a range of training, flexible working and opportunities for personal and professional development.