Human Resources, EMEA Pensions Manager, Director (AVP equivalent)

We’re seeking someone to join our team as a Pensions Manager. The Pensions Manager is a core member of the EMEA Benefits Team, working closely with the Head of Pensions to drive the Firm’s and the Trustees’ pension priorities. The role is responsible for the day-to-day governance, operational control and regulatory compliance of pension arrangements. The successful candidate will take on operational and governance ownership across the main group pension plans, AVC plan, offshore and a number of legacy plans with total assets in excess of £2.5bn. They will do this by managing projects/ BAU cycles, senior stakeholders and external vendors effectively via a strong focus on task execution.

In the Human Resources division, we provide advice and insight to attract, retain, reward and develop a talented global workforce, giving employees the support and tools they need to succeed. This is a Director level position within the Benefits team. The EMEA Benefits and Pensions Team is responsible for the management, monitoring and development of the Benefit and Pension Programmes in the UK, as well as Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The team operates across all business lines and is assisted by an outsourced service centre, responsible for the administration of the Benefits and Pensions Programme. The team continues to focus on meeting its key objectives of increased appreciation of the value of employee benefits, continual development of benefits to be competitive, as well as governance and control of risk and cost.

What you’ll do in the role:

• Operational execution: Own the pension calendar, proactively drive activities and report on progress. Manage a range of vendors and advisors; activities will include regular meetings/reviews, monitoring service levels, service improvements, change control and risk management on an ongoing basis. Identify opportunities to improve processes and strive for continuous improvement. Troubleshoot operational issues. Monitor expenses in line with agreed budgets. Manage projects from time to time as required e.g. valuations, vendor reviews, fund changes, Trustee appointments.
• Client/ Stakeholder management: Act as day-to-day contact for Trustees and third-party relationships. Review and challenge advice provided. Provide pension SME support to and collaborate with other business functions – HR business partners, Payroll, Finance, Legal etc. Draft and issue member/ employee communications. Prepare written presentations and communications and present verbally to audiences of all sizes and levels (including Trustee Board). Respond to complex queries from employees.
• Governance & Compliance: Ensure the Firm and Trustees comply with regulatory requirements and internal risk processes e.g. annual audit, TCFD reporting, auto-enrolment, vendor due diligence. Coordinate meetings and governance cycles. Work with Plan Secretary and external advisors to prepare Trustee agendas/packs. Maintain plan documentation, policies, records and process documents. Work with Plan Actuary on annual IAS19/ GAAP and ICAAP submissions. Review industry best practice and legislative updates to inform operation and policy.
• Wider team support: Support the delivery of the Flexible Benefits Annual Enrolment project. Support the broader team with ad-hoc projects and tasks.

What you’ll bring to the role:

• At least 6 years' relevant experience would generally be expected to find the skills required for this role.
• Strong organisation skills, a structured and methodical approach and excellent attention to detail.
• Strong multi-tasking skills to drive a large number of workstreams independently.
• Ability to execute tasks in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
• A client-oriented approach and willingness to go the extra mile to achieve high quality service/output.
• Established business written and verbal communication skills.
• Intellectual curiosity, solid motivation and collaborative spirit – a can-do approach, ready to assist the team and take on challenges.
• Strong risk focus and problem-solving capability.
• Ability to build relationships and effectively manage a range of pension stakeholders (trustee, sponsor, advisors, administrators etc).
• Adaptability and ability to work well under pressure.
• Ability to exercise judgement.
• A desire for continuous improvement.
• Good commercial awareness.
• Proven track record of ownership of projects/ pension BAU cycles.
• Solid understanding of TPR expectations and pension governance norms.

Skills that will help you in the role:

• Good understanding of pension regulatory landscape, current trends and upcoming requirements.
• Familiarity with DB/ offshore/ EMEA pensions.
• Wider benefit experience e.g. flexible benefit enrolment, bonus sacrifice etc.
• Formal pension qualification (PMI or similar).

What you can expect from Morgan Stanley:

At Morgan Stanley, we raise, manage and allocate capital for our clients – helping them reach their goals. We do it in a way that’s differentiated – and we’ve done that for 90 years. Our values – putting clients first, doing the right thing, leading with exceptional ideas, committing to diversity and inclusion, and giving back – aren’t just beliefs, they guide the decisions we make every day to do what’s best for our clients, communities and more than 80,000 employees in 1,200 offices across 42 countries. At Morgan Stanley, you’ll find an opportunity to work alongside the best and the brightest, in an environment where you are supported and empowered. Our teams are relentless collaborators and creative thinkers, fueled by their diverse backgrounds and experiences. We are proud to support our employees and their families at every point along their work-life journey, offering some of the most attractive and comprehensive employee benefits and perks in the industry. There’s also ample opportunity to move about the business for those who show passion and grit in their work.

Certified Persons Regulatory Requirements: If this role is deemed a Certified role and may require the role holder to hold mandatory regulatory qualifications or the minimum qualifications to meet internal company benchmarks.

Flexible work statement: Interested in flexible working opportunities? Morgan Stanley empowers employees to have greater freedom of choice through flexible working arrangements. Speak to our recruitment team to find out more.

Equal opportunities: Morgan Stanley is an equal opportunities employer. We work to provide a supportive and inclusive environment where all individuals can maximize their full potential. Our skilled and creative workforce is comprised of individuals drawn from a broad cross section of the global communities in which we operate and who reflect a variety of backgrounds, talents, perspectives, and experiences. Our strong commitment to a culture of inclusion is evident through our constant focus on recruiting, developing, and advancing individuals based on their skills and talents.