At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead technical standards for Defined Benefit pensions and drive continuous improvement.
- Company: Join Isio Group, a forward-thinking employer in pensions administration.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, market-leading bonus, and study support for professional qualifications.
- Other info: Hybrid workstyle with opportunities for career growth and development.
- Why this job: Shape the future of pensions while influencing key stakeholders and driving best practices.
- Qualifications: Experience in Defined Benefit pensions and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 € per year.
This new role will shape the technical and professional standards behind high-quality Defined Benefit Pensions Administration.
The Pensions Technical & Professional Standards Manager plays a key role in providing Defined Benefit Pensions technical leadership, governance, and continuous improvement across our pensions administration team. This is a pivotal role for someone who thrives on interpreting complex legislation, influencing senior stakeholders and driving best practice in a third-party administration environment.
Working within our Technical & Quality Assurance team, the role brings together the management of legislative interpretation, technical guidance, Root Cause Analysis (RCA), trend reporting, and pensions administration compliance requirements. This role can be based in our Croydon, Reading, Manchester, Birmingham or Belfast city centre office with a hybrid workstyle.
What does the role entail?
- Acting as a trusted technical expert on Defined Benefit (DB) pensions, supporting complex queries and ensuring consistent interpretation of legislation
- Translating legislative and regulatory change into clear, practical guidance, processes and communications
- Supporting and evolving pensions administration standards, frameworks and governance frameworks
- Leading key activity aligned to industry standard (e.g. General Code, pensions dashboards readiness, GMP equalisation, regulatory reporting)
- Managing ISO 9001 requirements, ensuring robust documentation and audit readiness
- Taking ownership of the Root Cause Analysis (RCA) framework, identifying trends and driving improvements
- Producing high-quality MI, trend analysis and insights to inform decision making and prioritisation
- Collaborating with Operations, QA and senior leadership to embed consistent standards across the business
What we’re looking for
Essential
- Significant experience in third party Defined Benefit pensions administration
- Deep technical knowledge of Defined Benefit pension schemes and UK legislative framework
- Experience in technical oversight, quality assurance, or governance-focused role within third party pensions administration
- Strong analytical and problem‑solving capabilities, including: Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and trend identification
- Translating insight into proportionate, practical improvements
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to:
- Produce clear, high-quality technical guidance and senior level reporting
- Explain complex issues to non‑technical audiences
- Influence stakeholders and embed best practice collaboratively
Desirable
- Experience working with industry frameworks and standards, (e.g. TPR Codes of Practice, including the General Code, ISO 9001, AAF, PASA)
- Exposure to risk registers, governance frameworks and regulatory reporting
- Experience of producing technical updates (both for internal and external use)
- Knowledge of data quality and governance in pensions administration (including, but not limited to, Pensions Dashboard readiness)
- Relevant professional qualification or working towards them (e.g. PMI or equivalent)
What you can expect in return
- A competitive salary and market leading bonus scheme
- Study support for you to work towards the completion of the Pensions Management Institute (PMI) Certificate in Pension Calculations (CPC) qualification
- Salary increases for PMI exam passes
Isio Group is an equal opportunities employer, and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates.
Pensions Technical & Professional Standards Manager employer: Isio
Isio Group is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee development and offers a supportive work culture, particularly for the Pensions Technical & Professional Standards Manager role. With a competitive salary, market-leading bonus scheme, and study support for professional qualifications, employees are encouraged to grow their expertise in a dynamic environment. The flexibility of hybrid working from various city centre locations, including Croydon, Reading, Manchester, Birmingham, or Belfast, further enhances work-life balance, making Isio Group an attractive choice for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Pensions Technical & Professional Standards Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the pensions industry and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge of Defined Benefit pensions. Be ready to discuss complex legislation and how you've tackled similar challenges in the past. Show them you’re the expert they need!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just wait for job postings—be proactive! Check out our website regularly and apply directly for roles that catch your eye. Tailor your approach to highlight your experience in governance and quality assurance.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews with a thank-you note. It’s a great way to reiterate your interest in the role and remind them of your key skills, especially your analytical and problem-solving capabilities. Keep it friendly and professional!
We think you need these skills to ace Pensions Technical & Professional Standards Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Know Your Stuff:Make sure you really understand Defined Benefit pensions and the UK legislative framework. We want to see your deep technical knowledge shine through in your application, so don’t hold back on showcasing your expertise!
Tailor Your Application:When applying, tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in technical oversight and quality assurance. We love it when candidates connect their past roles to what we’re looking for, so make those links clear!
Show Off Your Communication Skills:We need someone who can explain complex issues simply. Use your application to demonstrate your excellent communication skills—whether that’s through clear writing or examples of how you’ve influenced stakeholders in the past.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting role. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Isio
✨Know Your Pensions Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Defined Benefit pensions and the UK legislative framework. Be prepared to discuss specific legislation and how it impacts pensions administration, as this will show your technical expertise and confidence in the subject.
✨Prepare for Complex Queries
Anticipate complex queries that may arise during the interview. Think about how you would approach these questions and provide clear, practical guidance. This will demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to translate complex issues into understandable terms.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Be ready to discuss your experience with Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and trend identification. Prepare examples of how you've used these skills to drive improvements in previous roles, as this is crucial for the position and will highlight your analytical capabilities.
✨Communicate Effectively
Practice explaining complex pension issues to a non-technical audience. Strong communication skills are essential for this role, so be sure to convey your thoughts clearly and confidently, especially when discussing how you would influence stakeholders and embed best practices.
