Technical Pensions Lead (Ref: 21650) in Edinburgh

Location: Staffordshire, UK; City of Westminster; Scotland; Wales, UKSalary: 58,511 - 70,725 per yearEmployment: Full timeCategory: FinancePosted: 2026-08-29Valid to: 2026-09-22Apply: https://jobs.justice.gov.uk/careers/JobDetail/21650?entityId=21650Employer: Ministry of JusticeJob summaryThis position is based nationally.Job descriptionJob Title: Technical Pensions LeadGrade: 7Business Group: Chief Operating Officer GroupContract Type: PermanentDirectorate: Financial Management & ControlTeam: Judicial PensionsLocation: NationalMinistry of Justice an Inclusive EmployerWe recognise the challenges that people with (multiple) protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer of choice and ensuring equity of opportunity for all. We welcome the unique contribution diverse applicants bring in terms of their culture, ethnicity, race, nationality or national origin, age, sex, gender identity or expression, religion or belief, disability status, sexual orientation, educational or social background or any other factor. To find out more about how we champion diversity and inclusion in the workplace please visit OverviewThe Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is one of the largest government departments, employing around 70,000 people and with an annual budget of approximately 9 billion. Each year, millions of people use our services, including at 500 courts and tribunals and 133 prisons in England and Wales. Our principal role is to uphold the rule of law, the cornerstone of the British way of life, and we deliver services which are some of the most fundamental in a democratic society. MoJ supports the Secretary of State for Justice, who is also the Lord Chancellor, and his ministerial team to deliver the Government’s priorities. Our vision is to deliver a world-class justice system that works for everyone in society.The Pensions Operations Team sits within the Financial Management and Control Directorate of the Ministry of Justice. The Team vision is to deliver a high-quality service to the Judicial Pension Scheme enabled by good quality data, robust contract management of the third-party administrators to deliver value for money. It aims to provide operational delivery of policy and legislative changes to create a sustainable long-term delivery model.About the RoleLead for the Technical Team ensuring correspondence is responsible for providing expert advice on Judicial pensions legislation, regulatory compliance, governance arrangements and scheme assurance. The role ensures that the pension scheme operates in accordance with legislative requirements, regulatory expectations and best practice, while supporting effective decision-making by senior leaders, trustees, pension boards and governance committees. The role holder will also handle complex complaints, particularly where complaints involve maladministration, interpretation of scheme rules, service failures, discretionary decisions, regulatory breaches, or potential escalation to the Pensions Ombudsman (TPO) or Internal Dispute Resolution Procedure (IDRP).The post holder will lead the preparation and maintenance of governance and assurance documentation, oversee compliance monitoring, manage regulatory change programmes, and provide technical expertise on complex pension matters.Main Activities / ResponsibilitiesThe job holder will be required to undertake the following duties and responsibilities:Pensions Regulation and ComplianceProvide expert advice on pensions legislation, regulations and guidance, ensuring the scheme remains compliant with legal and governance requirements.Monitor regulatory developments and assess their impact on pension scheme operations and administration arrangements.Develop and maintain policies, procedures and control frameworks to support effective compliance.Governance and AssuranceLead the preparation of annual governance statements, reports and assurance documentation.Support governance committees, pension boards and senior leaders with high-quality papers, technical advice and clear decision-making support.Maintain governance frameworks, coordinate audits and monitor delivery of recommendations and management actions.Risk ManagementIdentify, assess and monitor pension scheme risks, maintaining governance and compliance risk registers.Escalate material risks and issues through appropriate governance channels.Develop mitigating actions and monitor progress against agreed plans.Technical Pensions ExpertiseProvide expert advice on complex pension matters, including benefit structures, legislative changes and regulatory requirements.Interpret scheme rules and policy changes, acting as the subject matter expert for pensions governance and compliance.Review and challenge advice from third-party advisers and administrators.Stakeholder ManagementBuild effective relationships with trustees, pension boards, senior leaders, advisers, administrators, regulators and assurance providers.Present complex technical information clearly and influence decision-making through evidence-based recommendations.Leadership of the Technical Team, setting direction, supporting performance and developing capability. The role includes direct line management responsibilities.Regulatory Change and Continuous ImprovementLead impact assessments for new legislation and regulatory developments.Manage implementation of regulatory change programmes and related delivery activity.Drive continuous improvement by strengthening governance, compliance, controls, reporting and member outcomes.Essential CriteriaKnowledge and ExperienceSignificant experience of pension scheme governance and regulatory compliance.Strong understanding of pensions legislation and regulatory requirements.Experience of preparing governance statements, annual reports or assurance documentation.Experience of managing governance and risk frameworks.Experience of advising senior stakeholders on complex technical issues.Experience of working with pension administrators, legal advisers, actuaries and auditors.Experience of managing complex pension complaints, disputes or appeals.SkillsExcellent analytical and problem-solving skills.Strong written communication skills with the ability to prepare high-quality reports and board papers.Ability to interpret complex legislation and regulatory guidance.Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.Excellent organisational and project management capabilities.Desirable CriteriaExperience within a public service pension scheme.Experience of advisory board, trustee board or committee support.Experience of implementing major regulatory change programmes.Knowledge of Public Service Pensions Act requirements and governance frameworks.If not applicable, delete line belowPlease note that whilst we don’t assess or score ‘desirable’ criteria, we may consider evidence provided that demonstrates meeting the desirable elements of the role, only after essential criteria is assessed and where there is a need to differentiate between closely scored candidates.Application processYou will be assessed against the Civil service success profiles framework.SiftBehaviours / ExperiencePlease provide examples of how you have met each of the behaviours and technical skills below:Making Effective Decisions (Lead Behaviour)LeadershipCommunicating & InfluencingPlease see essential criteria when writing your behaviours.Please refer to the CS Behaviours framework for more details, including by grade:ExperiencePlease submit a statement of suitability in 250 words on how your skills and experience align with the essential criteria of the role.Please submit an anonymous copy of CV.If we receive a large number of applications, we will carry out an initial sift on the lead criteria of CV. Candidates invited to InterviewPlease note that interviews will be carried out remotely via MS Teams. During the interview, we will be assessing you on Behaviours, Experience, Technical Skills and Strengths from the Success Profiles framework.BehavioursMaking Effective Decisions (Lead Behaviour)LeadershipCommunicating & InfluencingTechnicalYou will be asked a question regarding your pension technical experience.For any enquiries please contact Rebecca.peake@justice.gov.uk.Person specificationPlease refer to Job DescriptionBehavioursWe'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:Making Effective DecisionsLeadershipCommunicating and InfluencingTechnical skillsWe'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:You will be asked a question regarding your pension technical experience.BenefitsAlongside your salary of 58,511, Ministry of Justice contributes 16,950 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).Access to learning and developmentA working environment that supports a range of flexible working options to enhance your work life balanceA working culture which encourages inclusion and diversityA Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%Annual LeavePublic HolidaysSeason Ticket AdvanceFor more information about the recruitment process, benefits and allowances and answers to general queries, please click the below link which will direct you to our Candidate Information Page. Link: Things you need to knowArtificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.Selection process detailsThis vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.SecuritySuccessful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.Nationality requirementsThis job is broadly open to the following groups:UK nationalsnationals of the Republic of Irelandnationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UKnationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil ServiceFurther information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)Working for the Civil ServiceThe Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.Diversity and InclusionThe Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).Apply and further informationOnce this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.Contact point for applicantsJob contact : Name : SSCL Recruitment Enquiries TeamEmail : moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.ukTelephone : 0345 241 5359Recruitment teamEmail : moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.ukFurther informationAppointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. If you feel a department has breached the requirement of the Recruitment Principles and would like to raise this, please contact SSCL (Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com) in the first instance. If the role has been advertised externally (outside of the Civil Service) and you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages: