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- Tasks: Lead complex pension and medical retirement casework in a dynamic public sector environment.
- Company: Prominent public sector organisation with a focus on governance and compliance.
- Benefits: Local Government Pension Scheme, free parking, gym access, and health services.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in pension governance while working in a hybrid role.
- Qualifications: CIPD/MCIPD qualified with 10+ years in pensions governance and policy development.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and to represent the organisation at formal hearings.
The predicted salary is between 67500 - 82500 £ per year.
Location: Chelmsford, Essex; Hybrid – 2 days per week on-site; 3 days working from Home
Contract Type: Interim
Sector: Public Sector
Benefits: Local Government Pension Scheme, free parking, gym access, health & wellbeing services, staff discount scheme
Salary: Circa £75,000 Pro Rata depending on experience. There is room to negotiate for the right candidate.
The Opportunity
Pursuit Executive is working on behalf of a prominent public sector organisation to appoint an interim Pensions Manager. This is a senior specialist role with genuine breadth and impact, offering the chance to lead complex pension and medical retirement casework within a large, operationally demanding environment. You will act as the professional lead for pension governance and compliance, ensuring statutory obligations are met under the relevant public sector pension schemes. This is a role for someone who is CIPD / MCIPD qualified who combines deep technical expertise with the gravitas to operate confidently at the most senior levels of an organisation.
What You Will Be Doing
- Acting as principal lead for all medical health retirement processes, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations, employment law, and pension scheme rules across both officer and staff populations
- Managing and resolving complex pension and medical retirement casework, including medical appeals, discretionary pension decisions, forfeiture cases, internal dispute resolution complaints, and ill-health retirement assessments
- Representing the organisation at formal hearings, including medical appeal proceedings and pension complaints investigations
- Maintaining Pension Boards and acting as principal liaison with Board Chairs to ensure all statutory responsibilities and governance requirements are fulfilled
- Providing authoritative advice and guidance to the Chief Officer, Scheme Managers, and senior stakeholders on all aspects of pension policy, regulations, and governance
- Leading the development and refinement of pension and medical retirement policies and operating models, including change activity arising from upcoming legislative reform
- Undertaking statutory reviews of medical retirement pension allowances on behalf of the Scheme Manager, and producing reporting on outcomes
- Liaising at a national level, interpreting regulatory updates and ensuring the organisation’s interests are represented in relevant external forums
- Line managing an HR & Pension Adviser, managing workloads, performance, and quality of service delivery
What We Are Looking For
Our client is seeking a candidate with a strong blend of technical expertise, personal credibility, and operational leadership. You will need to demonstrate:
- A background in HR and/or pensions, having operated at Head of Service, Senior Lead, or Principal Adviser level (or equivalent)
- Substantial experience – typically 10+ years – in pensions governance, policy development, and the management of statutory pension responsibilities
- Deep knowledge of public sector pension schemes and/or LGPS regulations, with the ability to interpret and apply them in complex, sensitive contexts
- Hands‑on experience of ill‑health retirement and injury pension processes (highly desirable)
- A proven track record of representing an organisation at formal hearings and making defensible decisions with legal, financial, and reputational consequences
- Experience advising Chief Officers and senior stakeholders, and engaging confidently with trade unions, staff federations, and staff associations
- Degree‑level education (or equivalent experience), supported by a relevant professional qualification such as CIPP, PMI, or MCIPD
- Familiarity with The Pensions Regulator’s Code of Practice and public sector pension administration requirements
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex pension matters clearly for non‑specialist audiences
Next Steps
Please submit your CV for consideration by clicking ‘Apply’. Only those with full rights to work within the UK will be shortlisted for this role. Your application will be treated with strict confidence.
Pensions Manager – Interim in Chelmsford employer: Pursuit Recruitment Ltd
Contact Detail:
Pursuit Recruitment Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Pensions Manager – Interim in Chelmsford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the pensions sector and let them know you're on the lookout for interim roles. You never know who might have the inside scoop on opportunities that aren't advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of public sector pension schemes and regulations. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with the role's requirements, especially around compliance and governance.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! When you get the chance to speak with potential employers, highlight your experience managing complex casework and leading teams. They want to see that you can handle the operational demands of the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we’re here to support you every step of the way in landing that Pensions Manager role.
We think you need these skills to ace Pensions Manager – Interim in Chelmsford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Pensions Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in pensions governance and HR, and don’t forget to showcase any leadership roles you've held. We want to see how your background aligns with what we're looking for!
Showcase Your Expertise: In your application, emphasise your deep knowledge of public sector pension schemes and your hands-on experience with ill-health retirement processes. We’re keen on candidates who can demonstrate their technical expertise and how it applies to complex situations.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and concise. Use straightforward language to explain your experience and achievements. Remember, we need to understand your qualifications quickly, so avoid jargon where possible!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at StudySmarter. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Pursuit Recruitment Ltd
✨Know Your Pensions Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of public sector pension schemes and LGPS regulations. Be prepared to discuss how you've applied this knowledge in complex situations, as the interviewers will want to see your technical expertise in action.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role requires strong operational leadership, so think of examples where you've led teams or projects successfully. Be ready to share how you've managed workloads and performance, especially in high-pressure environments.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that put you in real-life scenarios related to medical retirement processes or pension governance. Practise articulating your thought process and decision-making skills, as this will demonstrate your ability to handle complex casework.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since you'll be advising senior stakeholders, prepare to discuss your experience in engaging with them. Think about how you've communicated complex pension matters clearly to non-specialists and how you've built credibility with trade unions and staff associations.