Pension Administrator in St Helens

We want talented and enthusiastic people from all backgrounds to join #TeamMWL, with us you can learn, grow and develop yourself and your career, realising your true ambitions and aspirations. Whatever you’re looking for in your career, you’ll find it here at MWL.

Main area: Administrative and Clerical

Grade: NHS AfC: Band 3

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday)

Salary: £25,760 - £27,476 per annum

Closing: 25/09/2026 23:59

Interview date: 06/10/2026

Job overview: We are urgently seeking a Pensions Administrator with excellent customer service skills to support our busy Pensions team. Reporting to the Pensions Team Leader, your job is to accurately prepare and update the NHS Pension/NEST records/payments via ESR and POL in accordance with the NHS Pension regulations, The Pension Regulator legislation, internal procedures and statutory obligations. Training will be provided. Attention to detail is essential as is providing excellent customer service, first time every time. You will have excellent communication skills both verbal and written. A working knowledge of Microsoft software, particularly Excel together with the ability to build effective working relationships at all levels.

Main duties of the job:

• Working as part of a team to undertake the preparation and updating of NHS Pension/NEST records/payments via ESR and POL in accordance with the NHS Pension regulations, The Pension Regulator legislation, Trust’s SFI’s, internal procedures and statutory obligations.
• Ensure that queries relating to external agencies are dealt with promptly, courteously and effectively.
• Maintain confidentiality and security of information at all times.
• Identify discrepancies, unusual features or queries at any point in the process and either resolve or refer to the appropriate officer for action.
• Ensure all documentation is filed in accordance with departmental procedures and that stored material is in good condition and readily retrievable to respond to queries and for audit purposes.
• Participate in pension record processing ensuring timescales are met, the Trust’s policies and procedures are followed and all information is accurate and up-to-date.

Key outcomes will be to:

• Complete pension record processing within the necessary timescales and in accordance with internal/external pension procedures.
• Be fully conversant with the effective utilisation of the NHS Pensions Online system, including data entry, system navigation and report generation.
• Validate all output from the monthly pension interface process to ensure all employees’ records have been updated.
• Process appropriate reports, schedules and documents and, if appropriate, print and distribute each payroll period.
• Undertake presentations at Trust inductions providing basic NHS Pension information.
• Interpretation of AfC / Trust terms and conditions of employment relating pensions.
• Interpretation and application of statutory regulations regarding pensions.
• Undertaking on-going Data Cleanse activities in respect of NHS Pensions.

Administrative responsibilities:

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other individuals of the Directorate, other officers of the Trust, colleagues from the NHS Executive, NHS Pensions and officers from other agencies to ensure the delivery of a professional service focused on achieving a high level of customer satisfaction.
• Effectively liaise with agencies and statutory bodies on all matters relating to the pension functions.
• Respond promptly and courteously to all correspondence and enquiries from individuals, statutory bodies and requests for information from NHS Pensions/NEST, or other appropriate organisations.
• Participate effectively and promptly in the provision and analysis of accurate financial, statistical and management information.
• Advise managers and staff on local and national regulations, completion of pension documentation and employee’s pension membership.
• Provide information, excluding financial advice to employees on all matters related to pension contributions and the NHS Pension Scheme, accurately, promptly and courteously.

Training:

• Maintain own compliance with the Trusts mandatory and statutory training requirements.
• Demonstrate activities in own area to new staff to support induction training.
• Develop skills and competencies of self through training and development activities, ensuring that progress is maintained and future needs identified and actioned.

Person specification:

Qualifications:

• Educated to GCSE level and/or equivalent qualification and/or equivalent experience in similar administrator role.
• NVQ Level 2 in Business Administration and/or equivalent qualification and/or work experience in an administrative role.
• ECDL Qualification and/or equivalent level of qualifications and/or experience.

Knowledge and Experience:

• Knowledge of payroll & pension procedures.
• Experience of using an electronic payroll system.
• Experience of working in a customer service environment.
• Knowledge of legislation applicable to payroll & pension Auto Enrolment.
• Knowledge of NHS payroll & pension procedures and legislation.
• Experience of processing NHS Pension forms.

Skills:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with ability to provide accurate advice regarding pension processes.
• Able to manage own workload and priorities to ensure payroll & pension deadlines are met.
• Accurate data input requiring attention to detail and accuracy.
• Computer literate including the use of Microsoft Office applications of Excel, Word and Outlook.
• Excellent planning and organisational skills.
• Able to work on own initiative, with minimum supervision and able to problem solve using own judgement.
• Able to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Confident to handle queries from all levels of staff.
• Excellent customer service skills with ability to build professional rapport with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Resilient under pressure and able to work at pace to meet stretching deadlines.

Other:

• Eager to learn and develop skills and knowledge.
• Good team player and can demonstrate ability to work as an effective team member and work alone.
• Adaptable to change.

Thank you for considering an application to work for Mersey West Lancashire NHS Trust. MWL is an exciting and forward-thinking NHS Trust who are one of the best places to work for in England.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: We actively cultivate a professional environment of fairness, equality, dignity, and respect for all individuals. We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and value the unique skills, perspective and experience you bring.