At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage pension benefit operations for a major UK pension fund.
- Company: Join the West Midlands Pension Fund, one of the UK's largest pension funds.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexible working arrangements, and a supportive work culture.
- Why this job: Shape the future of pension administration and make a real impact on members' lives.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in pensions or complex operations with strong analytical skills.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for professional growth and development.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
The West Midlands Pension Fund is seeking an experienced and strategic leader to join us as Head of Benefit Operations, responsible for leading the delivery of a high-performing and customer-focused pension operations service. Reporting to the Deputy Director of Pension Operations, this pivotal leadership role will ensure the effective delivery of pension benefit services for one of the UK’s largest pension funds. You will lead the planning and delivery of benefit operations, ensuring the service has the capability and capacity to support over 360,000 scheme members, while maintaining best practice standards recognised by the Pensions Administration Standards Association (PASA). Working closely with the Fund’s Senior Leadership Team, you will play a key role in shaping and delivering the pension operations strategy, ensuring it supports the Fund’s corporate objectives now and in the future.
About WMPF: WMPF is one of the UK’s largest pension funds providing local authority pension benefits for employees across the West Midlands. We manage and administer the pension interests of over 330,000 scheme members, 800+ employers and currently have over £21 billion in assets under management. We are recruiting for a Head of Benefit Operations to join our continually growing Operations Service area. Our modern offices are based at the i9 building in Wolverhampton and is an excellent location for transport links by car, bus, train and tram.
What the day will look like:
- Lead and manage the Fund’s pension benefit operations, ensuring capacity and capability to deliver a high-quality service.
- Drive service development, process improvements and transformation to meet KPIs, customer expectations and regulatory standards.
- Provide high-quality management information and regulatory returns, benchmarking performance and supporting decision-making.
- Oversee escalated case reviews, complaints, and complex member or employer enquiries, including IDRP cases.
- Manage and develop senior managers, with overall responsibility for a team of around 60 employees.
- Lead the Fund’s Delivery Management Committee, ensuring alignment with the Business Plan.
- Build and maintain effective relationships with internal colleagues, external partners and industry peers, representing the Fund at national and regional level where required.
- Deputise for the Deputy Director of Pension Operations as appropriate.
About you: We are looking for a dynamic leader with:
- A proven track record of senior management and leadership in a pensions or complex operations environment.
- Experience of driving transformation and embedding new processes or systems.
- Strong knowledge of LGPS and pension administration systems, with the ability to interpret regulations and manage compliance.
- Excellent analytical, communication and influencing skills, with the ability to manage change and engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.
- The ability to motivate and develop teams, building an inclusive and high‑performing culture.
This is an exciting opportunity to play a key leadership role within one of the UK’s largest pension funds, helping to shape the future of pension administration while delivering excellent outcomes for members, employers and stakeholders.
Head of Benefit Operations in Wolverhampton employer: West Midlands Pension Fund
Contact Detail:
West Midlands Pension Fund Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Benefit Operations in Wolverhampton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the pensions and operations field. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the West Midlands Pension Fund thoroughly. Understand their mission, values, and recent developments. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their goals, especially in delivering high-quality pension services.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've driven transformation and managed teams in previous roles. Highlight your ability to motivate others and deliver results, as this is key for the Head of Benefit Operations role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team at the West Midlands Pension Fund.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Benefit Operations in Wolverhampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in pension operations and leadership. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Head of Benefit Operations, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: This role is all about leading a team and driving transformation. Use your application to demonstrate your past successes in managing teams and implementing new processes. We’re looking for dynamic leaders who can motivate and inspire!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of your experience and qualifications. Avoid jargon and make it easy for us to see why you’re the right fit.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, you’ll find all the information you need about the application process there!
How to prepare for a job interview at West Midlands Pension Fund
✨Know Your Pensions Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) and pension administration systems. Being able to discuss regulations and compliance confidently will show that you're not just a leader, but a knowledgeable one.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in complex operations environments. Highlight specific instances where you've driven transformation or improved processes, as this role is all about effective leadership and service delivery.
✨Understand the Fund's Objectives
Familiarise yourself with the West Midlands Pension Fund's corporate objectives and how the benefit operations strategy aligns with them. This will help you articulate how you can contribute to their goals during the interview.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you've built relationships with diverse stakeholders in the past. Be ready to discuss your communication and influencing skills, as these are crucial for managing internal colleagues and external partners effectively.