Pensions Manager - Governance & Risk in London

Our purpose is to give everyone real confidence to put their money to work. With a heritage dating back more than 175 years, we have a long history of innovation in savings and investments, combining asset management and insurance expertise to offer a wide range of solutions. Our two distinct operating segments, Asset Management and Life, work together to provide access to balanced, long-term investment and savings solutions.

Through telling it like it is, owning it now, and moving it forward together with care and integrity; we are creating an exceptional place to work for exceptional talent. We will consider flexible working arrangements for any of our roles and also offer workplace accommodations to ensure you have what you need to effectively deliver in your role.

The Pension Schemes Executive team provides expert support and management services to the Trustees of M&G’s three large UK pension schemes for colleagues. Together with specialist advisers, the team ensures the smooth running of all aspects of the schemes encompassing governance, investment management and member services. With over 45,000 members across a variety of benefit structures, both defined benefit and defined contribution, the team is required to draw on a broad and deep skillset to ensure successful delivery.

Purpose Statements

Our team supports three Trustee Boards in their stewardship of M&G’s pension schemes. We’re there to ensure that our members get the right information and benefits, that all of the Trustees’ regulatory duties are performed and that the schemes’ investments are on track. Being a Trustee is a demanding role and we provide training and support to enable our Trustees to develop and maintain the necessary skills. We use our own in-depth pensions knowledge to shape business plans and objectives and manage key relationships with strategic advisers to give our Trustee Boards the information they need to make good decisions. The service we provide to our members is also key to our responsibilities. We oversee all of the day-to-day operations of the pension schemes and support directly with more complex queries.

As the Pensions Manager – Governance & Risk you’ll be responsible for maintaining and evolving the governance framework within which the schemes operate, ensuring everything is done to the right regulatory and legislative standards. You’ll be knowledgeable about best practice and curious about ways in which broader thinking on governance could be deployed to the benefit of the Schemes. As part of your role, you’ll be a trusted partner to Trustees, ensuring they have the training and support needed to deliver for our members. You’ll also take day-to-day responsibility for monitoring our risk management processes, producing insightful reporting to ensure risk is managed in an effective and timely manner, embedding effective controls and promoting a strong governance culture across the schemes. The UK pensions landscape is constantly evolving, and you’ll have the opportunity to craft solutions and deliver change in a way that fits our schemes and members.

Accountabilities

• Lead and develop the governance framework of the schemes, ensuring full compliance with applicable regulatory and legislative requirements.
• Ownership of key processes including production of the annual report and accounts for the schemes, annual audit and mandatory reporting.
• Management of secretarial services to the Trustee Boards to include preparation of agendas, meeting papers and minutes.
• Support trustee effectiveness through training, policy updates and governance planning activities.
• Day-to-day management of the schemes’ risk management framework, including oversight of risk incidents and resolution, performing relevant controls and processes to mitigate risks, and preparing reports for Trustee committees and boards.
• Act as a key point of contact for governance and risk matters with advisers, administrators and other service providers.

Knowledge

• In-depth knowledge of UK occupational pension schemes and the regulatory/legislative environment in which they operate.
• Expertise in UK governance requirements and frameworks.
• Knowledge of risk management standards and internal control systems.
• Qualification or part-qualification towards a recognised UK pensions qualification would be an advantage.
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Working knowledge of UK data legislation and compliant practices.

Experience

• Management level experience in pensions governance and risk management.
• Experienced in Trustee secretariat duties.
• Exposure to Trustee Board meetings and able to present credibly to Board level stakeholders.
• Experienced in risk management.

Personal attributes / skills

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to identify themes, risks and emerging issues.
• Ability to interpret regulatory requirements and translate them into practical governance solutions.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information succinctly.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship management skills.
• Strong influencing and negotiation skills.
• Collaborative working style with the confidence to provide appropriate challenge.
• Identifies and anticipates need for change.
• Attention to detail and professional judgement.

What we offer:

At M&G, we’re committed to helping you thrive and supporting your wellbeing, both at work and beyond. Our benefits are designed to help you balance your professional and personal life, while planning confidently for your future. Our UK benefits include:

• As a savings and Investments firm we are proud to offer a valuable pension scheme of 18%, with 13% made up of Employer Contributions and 5% Employee Contributions. We also offer Share Save and our Share Incentive Plan, together with access to financial wellbeing and support services - to help give you real confidence to put your money to work.
• Enjoy 38 days annual leave including bank holidays, with the opportunity to purchase up to 5 extra days and additional flexibility through our Time Off When You Need It policy – to balance your work and personal commitments.
• Our market leading Inspiring Families policy includes comprehensive support and paid parental leave covering maternity, adoption, surrogacy, and paternity leave - as supporting families is a core aspect of our inclusive culture.
• Health & Protection cover including Private Healthcare, Critical Illness cover and Life Assurance for you, with family options - for peace of mind.

We have a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture at M&G, underpinned by our policies and our employee-led networks who provide networking opportunities, advice and support for the diverse communities our colleagues represent. Regardless of gender, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, nationality, disability or long term condition, we are looking to attract, promote and retain exceptional people. We also welcome those who take part in military service and those returning from career breaks.

M&G is also proud to be a Disability Confident Leader, and we welcome applications from candidates with long-term health conditions, disabilities, or neuro-divergent conditions. If you need assistance or an alternative means of applying for a role due to a disability or additional need, please let us know by contacting us at: careers@mandg.com