At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the strategic direction of our pension offerings and shape the future of employee benefits.
- Company: Join the John Lewis Partnership, a unique employee-owned organisation.
- Benefits: Flexible working hours, hybrid model, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Part-time role with excellent opportunities for collaboration and innovation.
- Why this job: Be a visionary architect in pensions and make a real impact on our Partners' futures.
- Qualifications: Professional pension qualification or relevant senior experience in pensions required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
About the role
As the Pensions Lead, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the John Lewis Partnership’s pension proposition, ensuring it remains a cornerstone of our unique employee‑owned model. Reporting to the Chief People Experience & Reward Officer, you will use your deep expertise to lead the strategic direction of our pension offerings, aligning them with our broader business objectives and People Strategy. You won’t just be managing a scheme; you will be a visionary architect, contributing to the creation of an integrated total Reward Strategy that ensures our Partners continue to thrive.
You will act as the Partnership’s subject matter expert, providing critical thought‑leadership and advising senior stakeholders to ensure logical, evidence‑based decisions are reached on complex pension matters. By building productive relationships with the UK Pension Scheme Trustee and the Channel Islands Trustee/Administrator and external advisers, you will ensure our proposition not only meets high industry standards and regulatory requirements but also delivers an exceptional, simplified experience for our Partners.
Contract type: Permanent
Working hours: Part time, job share. 21 hours per week. You will be required to work on Monday & Tuesday with flexibility on the third day.
Working pattern/flexible working: The Partnership has adopted a hybrid working approach, meaning you'll be able to work a mixture between the office and home based upon your personal needs whilst balancing the needs of the business. You will be required to be in the office up to days a week to connect and on a more ad‑hoc basis to attend key meetings.
Key responsibilities
- Establish team tone, context, and outcomes with a focus on the customer’s voice.
- Actively investigate external and internal trends, best practice, risks and opportunities for the proposition, gathering and analysing feedback. Complete gap analysis for current and future propositions, define change demand.
- Keep abreast of all relevant legal and regulatory changes and respond accordingly, working closely with the Employment Law team.
- Identify the impacts of the Partnership plan and People plan on the pension proposition, and prioritise areas of development.
- Act as the subject matter expert on pensions, synthesising insight to inform senior level discussions. Contribute to the creation of an integrated Partner strategy, drawing on your understanding of the organisation.
- Actively seek opportunities to develop, innovate and improve the proposition.
- Develop, own and periodically review the standards, operating procedures, business rules, system requirements and procedural guidance to support the proposition.
- Engage stakeholders effectively, within and beyond function, to foster a culture of cross‑functional, pan‑Partnership collaboration. Champion the proposition with senior teams and seek their advocacy for change.
- Simplify propositions and processes, removing legacy arrangements that no longer meet business objectives.
- Manage the risks and issues, and any resolution processes that arise.
Essential skills/experience you’ll need
- Professional pension qualification such as actuarial or PMI would be useful, or relevant experience in a senior Pensions role.
- Thorough understanding of the operation of pension schemes.
- Takes a first principles approach to problem‑solving.
- Experience in dealing with Executive and/or Trustee boards.
- Leading and completing delivery of complex multi‑part, multi‑stakeholder projects.
- Deep understanding of Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution pension schemes, including experience of developing and assuring of pension propositions.
- Working knowledge of the HR lifecycle.
- Experience in managing senior stakeholder relationships, both internally and externally.
Pensions Lead employer: John Lewis Partnership
At John Lewis Partnership, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions our unique employee-owned model. As a Pensions Lead, you will benefit from a supportive work culture that values collaboration and innovation, alongside flexible working arrangements that allow for a healthy work-life balance. With a commitment to professional development and a focus on creating a rewarding experience for our Partners, this role offers a meaningful opportunity to shape the future of our pension offerings in a dynamic environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Pensions Lead
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the pensions industry! Attend events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to professionals on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that you didn’t even know existed.
✨Showcase Your Expertise
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers or during interviews, make sure to highlight your deep understanding of pension schemes and your experience with complex projects. Share specific examples that demonstrate your problem-solving skills and strategic thinking.
✨Be Ready for Questions
Prepare for those tricky interview questions by brushing up on current trends and regulations in the pensions sector. Think about how you can align your answers with the company’s goals and values, especially around employee ownership and partnership.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team and contributing to our unique employee-owned model.
We think you need these skills to ace Pensions Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Pensions Lead role. Highlight your relevant experience and skills that align with the job description, especially your expertise in pension schemes and stakeholder management.
Showcase Your Vision:As a Pensions Lead, you’ll need to be a visionary architect. Use your application to demonstrate how you can shape the future of our pension proposition. Share examples of past projects where you've innovated or improved processes.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to explain your qualifications and experiences. This will help us quickly see how you fit into the role and the team.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at John Lewis Partnership
✨Know Your Pensions Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of pension schemes, especially Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution. Be ready to discuss how these schemes operate and any recent changes in legislation that could impact them. This will show that you're not just familiar with the basics but are also a subject matter expert.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Prepare examples of how you've previously contributed to the strategic direction of pension offerings or similar projects. Think about how you can align pension strategies with broader business objectives and be ready to share your vision for the future of the pension proposition.
✨Build Relationships, Even in the Interview
Since this role involves engaging with senior stakeholders and trustees, practice how you would build rapport with them. Use examples from your past experiences where you successfully managed relationships and collaborated across functions. This will demonstrate your ability to foster a culture of collaboration.
✨Be Ready for Complex Problem-Solving
Expect questions that test your problem-solving skills, especially in complex scenarios involving multiple stakeholders. Prepare to discuss specific challenges you've faced in previous roles and how you approached them using a first principles approach. This will highlight your analytical skills and ability to navigate tricky situations.
