Senior Pensions Administrator Ref. 3758

About us MI5 keeps the country safe from serious threats like terrorism and attempts by states to harm the UK, its people and way of life. We carry out investigations by obtaining, analysing and assessing intelligence, and then work with a range of partners, including MI6 and GCHQ to disrupt these threats. Through our protective security arm, we provide advice and guidance to government, businesses and other organisations about how to keep themselves safe. A role in MI5 means you’ll do unique and challenging work in a supportive and encouraging environment, making a real difference to UK national security.

The role As a Senior Pensions Administrator, you’ll help oversee our processes and support your colleagues as a subject matter expert. You’ll balance high‑volume casework with training and mentoring a growing team as you bring your expertise to our busy department. Working at pace, you’ll maintain quality and ensure our processes and systems run smoothly. Day‑to‑day, you’ll be taking on project work, supporting with problem‑solving, handling complaints, and carrying out extensive quality checking. So, multi‑tasking is key as you’ll be balancing your own workload alongside your team’s. You’ll answer queries from, and give advice to, pay teams and provide insights and guidance to senior leaders. You’ll also collaborate with colleagues throughout the UK’s Intelligence Services and build relationships with external partners. Everything you do will contribute to supporting the growth of the department, from helping your team improve their skills and knowledge, to using your experience to come up with ideas for continuous improvement. This is an opportunity to take ownership of a high‑impact role that blends operational excellence with transformation leadership. You will shape the future direction of remedy and project management, strengthen governance standards, and play a pivotal role in delivering sustainable change across the pension function.

About you You’ll bring existing knowledge about, and experience working in, pensions and have a minimum of two years’ experience in a similar role or sector. This will be supported by line management experience. You’ll also need a minimum of two GCSEs at Grade 4/C or above in maths and English language (or an equivalent Level 2 qualification). Importantly, you’ll be an adaptable, organised leader with a focus on wellbeing. Comfortable with numbers, you’ll have keen attention to detail and be able to check calculations and spot errors with ease. You’ll also be a confident communicator able to adjust your style depending on whether you’re supporting your team, building external relationships, or presenting to senior leaders. Whether you’re managing complex retirement cases, identifying solutions or managing stakeholders, you’ll be organised and balance target‑driven performance with empathy. And of course, you’ll be IT systems literate.

Training and development We’re passionate about your personal development. As a line manager, you’ll be offered a Management Training Pathway and have access to internal training courses available from any of the UK’s Intelligence Services, as well as internal communities, support networks and mentors. You’ll be expected to stay within Pensions for your first four years, after which you can apply for roles across the organisation.

Rewards and benefits You’ll receive a starting salary of £47,677, rising to £51,541 after two years, plus other benefits including:

• 25 days’ annual leave automatically rising to 30 days after five years of service, and an additional 10.5 days of public and privilege holidays
• Opportunities to be recognised through our employee performance scheme
• A dedicated development budget
• An interest‑free season ticket loan
• An excellent pension scheme
• A cycle to work scheme
• Facilities such as a gym, restaurant and on‑site coffee bars (at some locations)
• Paid parental and adoption leave

Equal opportunities At MI5 diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including those from under‑represented groups such as women, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities and those from low socio‑economic backgrounds.

Disability confident MI5 is a Disability Confident Leader and encourages applicants with disabilities to apply. Applicants must meet essential minimum criteria such as: passing the online Situational Judgement Test, demonstrating experience in pensions and delivering positive outcomes within required timeframes, and meeting the pass mark for motivational questions.

Required eligibility You must be a British citizen or hold dual British nationality and you must obtain the highest security clearance, known as Developed Vetting (DV).

Location This role is based in London; candidates must live within a commutable distance. Applicants must comply with MI5’s strict drug policy and declare any prior drug usage as required.