Operational Readiness Manager in London

The role requires the ability to effectively collaborate and influence third-party administrators and senior PIC operational managers to effectively deliver new client projects onto the PIC book of business and into PIC’s agreed operating model. It also requires buy-in from the same people to implement improvements to systems, processes, and technology, as appropriate.

To apply knowledge, experience and oversight on the implementation of new schemes and how this impacts our policyholders, to deliver effective onboarding to our TPA’s and assure good customer outcomes through controlled operational readiness, clear handover and effective go-live support.

Support new business deal pitches with strong implementation knowledge and experience of scheme onboarding, and operational readiness requirements. To deliver strong business outcomes relating to capital, profitability, the Company brand and market reputation whilst achieving positive outcomes to our policyholders on a consistent basis.

To provide oversight and challenge across operational readiness activity, ensuring key risks, dependencies, readiness gaps, mitigations and Day 1/Day 2 actions are understood, owned and governed. Our Company values are expected to be reflected in the delivery and performance of every role.

Specific accountabilities assigned to the role of Operational Readiness Manager within Customer Operations:

• Represent PIC on decisions relating to the delivery of client projects to the requisite standard and in line with PIC’s operating model and operational readiness requirements.
• Support the Head of Pension Operations in providing a high level of service to clients and policyholders at all times.
• Manage with PIC transition manager and outsourced administration teams to deliver successful onboarding for PIC and Scheme Trustees, including clear ownership of readiness items, risks, mitigations and operational handover activity.
• Lead the operational readiness workstream ensuring effective oversight and governance of decisions, and challenge as required.
• Manage implementation delivery against the target operating models and escalate issues as required where go-live readiness, customer outcomes, service delivery or BAU transition may be impacted.
• Provide comprehensive MI and reporting on TPA implementation quality, operational readiness status, key risks, Day 1 / Day 2 activity, service readiness and post-go-live actions, evidencing value add of implementation team.
• Identify and implement internal process and service efficiencies to improve consistency, scalability and control across PIC’s administration model.
• Develop more junior members of the PIC team to help them expand their role and increased responsibility.
• Manage the various project workstreams to onboarding new schemes into the PIC operating model ensuring all scheme benefits are fully understood and specified, and that incoming data is fit for purpose for both administration and actuarial valuation.
• Manage the team to deliver detailed analysis to ensure data is fit for purpose and satisfies all PIC requirements including data reconciliation and data verification work.
• Responsible for ensuring operational readiness requirements are communicated and implemented with Outsourced Admin Team and Customer Experience Team to ensure successful onboarding for PIC and Scheme Trustees.
• Collaborate with PIC internal actuaries to make sure valuation data requirements are fully understood and documented.
• Lead calls/meetings with outsourced administrator to achieve desired timeframes and outcomes.
• Prepare, review and present MI to PIC internal stakeholders and Senior Management covering readiness status, implementation quality, risks, service impacts and post-go-live actions.
• Identify and implement improvements/efficiencies in PIC’s administration model.
• Ensure that the projects being completed meet agreed milestones and deliverables, whilst also meeting expected standard in quality.
• Complete internal projects relating to new business onboarding into the PIC model and continuous improvement of the operational readiness framework.
• Understand work within Pension Corporation’s Guideline on Consumer Duty and ensure Consumer Duty considerations are reflected in onboarding, communications, customer journeys, reporting and service readiness activity.

Requirements

• Knowledge
• Good technical knowledge of DB pension schemes
• Thorough knowledge of project management techniques
• Good knowledge of pension buy-ins & buy-outs
• Strong technical knowledge of scheme implementations from buy in to buy out
• Skills
• Strong organisational skills
• Strong communication skills
• Ability to persuade and influence both directly and indirectly
• Ability to manage people and other resources effectively
• Ability to organize work to meet deadlines
• Ability to work within defined procedures as recommended by functional teams
• Effective collaboration with key stakeholders
• Good commercial judgement
• Good level of Microsoft Excel competency and working knowledge of other MS products
• Experience
• High level of pension experience
• Experience in DB pension scheme onboarding
• Experience of complex data analysis work
• Prince2 or APMI or capable and willing to work towards it
• Experience working at a senior level in a corporate or consulting environment

DE&I at PIC

At PIC, we believe that true innovation stems from embracing diverse perspectives, backgrounds and experiences. We are committed to building a workplace where every individual, regardless of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, religion, or socio-economic background, feels valued, heard and empowered to succeed. We hold ourselves accountable through ongoing initiatives, such as inclusive hiring practices, and equitable career development opportunities that support belonging and community.

Benefits

In addition to a competitive base salary and the opportunity to participate in our annual, performance-related bonus plan, upon joining us here at Pension Insurance Corporation, you’ll have access to some great benefits, including private medical insurance, 28 days' annual leave (excluding bank holidays), a generous pension scheme, insurance for Travel, Private Medical, Critical Illness, Life Assurance and Income Protection, and much more.