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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of impactful training strategies and enhance colleague capabilities.
- Company: Join a multi-award-winning pension administration company with a member-first culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday, health plans, and employee assistance programmes.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in staff development and operational excellence.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience and knowledge of Local Government Pensions Administration.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for career growth and personal development.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 85000 £ per year.
Hybrid or remote with travel to Preston
Salary £75k - £85k DOE + inclusion in annual bonus scheme
A glance at the Role
We are looking for an inspiring and strategic leader to become LPPA's Head of Development Centre. In this pivotal role, you will design and deliver a high-impact learning and development strategy that strengthens colleague capability, embeds a member-first culture, and supports operational excellence across Member Services.
You will ensure every colleague receives consistent, high-quality technical and systems training, while partnering closely with the Director of Member Services to drive performance, succession planning and long-term workforce development.
A bit about us:
Local Pensions Partnership Administration (LPPA) is a multi-award-winning organisation and one of the UK's leading pension administration companies. We strive to deliver the best experience for over 1,500 employers and more than 700,000 members of Local Government, Police and Firefighter pension schemes, keeping them fully informed about their pensions whilst working closely with employers to continuously educate and support them.
What we can offer you:
- Competitive salary of £75k - £85k DOE & inclusion in annual bonus scheme.
- 30 days holiday, plus bank holidays and 2 additional concessionary days and a half day for your birthday, with the ability to buy and sell leave.
- Access to an excellent pension scheme (Local Government Pension Scheme) with generous employer contributions.
- Access to Health or Dental Plan.
- Access to our Enhanced Employee Assistance Programme for when you might need some support.
- The opportunity to earn through our Employee Referral Scheme.
- Access to our bespoke Reward Discount Scheme - Your Perk Site.
- Opportunities to attend wellbeing webinars and social events.
- Daily free fruit and snacks available to you in our office.
- Free car parking in Preston City Centre.
What you'll be doing:
- Design and implement a structured, robust training curriculum to ensure consistent, high-quality learning across LPPA.
- Set and uphold service standards across Member Services, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and learning.
- Develop and maintain succession plans for all key roles within Member Services.
- Establish a career development working group to capture and support employee aspirations.
- Oversee the delivery of technical and systems training to ensure operational readiness and excellence.
- Champion a member-first mindset from onboarding through to ongoing development.
- Support career pathways and structured development programmes.
- Produce regular management information to support strategic decision-making.
- Demonstrate measurable improvements in retention, engagement, and training outcomes.
About You:
- Proven experience leading a standalone development centre.
- Extensive knowledge of Local Government Pensions Administration (LGPS).
- Proven ability to create & manage complex training programmes.
- Senior leadership experience at Head-of-Department level or equivalent.
- Strategic expertise in staff development, coaching and performance management.
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
- Proactive, innovative and detail-focused, with the ability to manage competing priorities.
- Adaptable, decisive and self-driven.
Desirable:
- Experience using the UPM (Civica) pension administration system.
- Strong understanding of UK pension legislation.
Why LPPA?
We're committed to doing the right thing, thinking forward, working together, and striving for excellence. Join us and be part of a team that invests in people and builds careers - not just jobs.
Head of Development Centre (LGPS) in Preston employer: Local Pensions Partnership
Contact Detail:
Local Pensions Partnership Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Development Centre (LGPS) in Preston
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, webinars, or even local meet-ups. The more you engage with others, the better your chances of hearing about opportunities that might not be advertised.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Don’t just tell them what you can do; show them! Create a portfolio or a presentation that highlights your achievements and how they relate to the role. This will help you stand out and demonstrate your value right off the bat.
✨Ace the Interview
Prepare for common interview questions but also think about how you can relate your experiences to the specific needs of LPPA. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their member-first culture and operational excellence.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Make sure to apply through our website for the best chance at landing the job. It shows you're serious about joining LPPA and gives us a clear view of your application. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Development Centre (LGPS) in Preston
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in leading development centres and your knowledge of LGPS. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at LPPA!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: In your application, emphasise your senior leadership experience and how you've successfully managed training programmes. We’re looking for someone who can inspire and drive performance, so let that shine through!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to demonstrate your outstanding communication skills, as this is crucial for the role we’re hiring for.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application via our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at LPPA!
How to prepare for a job interview at Local Pensions Partnership
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Local Government Pensions Administration (LGPS). Understand the key challenges and opportunities in the sector, as well as LPPA's mission and values. This will show that you're genuinely interested and ready to contribute.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led a development centre or implemented training programmes. Highlight your strategic thinking and how you've fostered a culture of continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss how you can bring this expertise to LPPA.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you would engage with various stakeholders within the organisation. Prepare to discuss your approach to building relationships and influencing others, especially in terms of driving performance and succession planning. This is crucial for the Head of Development Centre role.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, have some insightful questions ready. Ask about the current training initiatives, how success is measured in the role, or what the biggest challenges are for the team. This shows your enthusiasm and helps you gauge if LPPA is the right fit for you.