Project Specialist (Pensions) in London

Join to apply for the Project Specialist (Pensions) role at XPS Group. Location: Flexible. Grade: Senior Consultant. Employment Type: Full-time, Fixed Term - 12 months. Hybrid.

About XPS Group: XPS Pensions Group is no ordinary company. We have earned numerous awards and accolades, making us an industry leader in Pensions Consultancy. As the largest pure pensions consultancy in the UK, we are a team of approximately 2000 employees spread across 15 locations nationwide. Listed on the London Stock Exchange Main Market, we pride ourselves on our ability to think and act differently, offering expert advice to over 1600 pension schemes and administering pensions for over 1,000,000 members.

About The Team: As part of our administration business, we have six specialist project teams across the country which have extensive experience of undertaking a wide variety of project work. This includes dedicated specialists for data analysis and reporting, data cleansing and member tracing, GMP reconciliation and rectification, benefit specifications, benefit audits, benefit rectification, scheme changes, liability reduction exercises. We have fantastic new opportunities for experienced project delivery managers to join our projects team at a senior level during an exciting period of growth.

Responsibilities: In this role you will be responsible for leading and managing projects end to end, in line with budgets, deadlines, and objectives. You will also coordinate and support less experienced staff with additional projects. This role is client‐facing, therefore you will be expected to:

• Act as point of contact generally and to explain complex issues
• Attend client and trustee meetings to present project updates

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop processes, work methods and tools
• Produce process documents
• Communicate and train on processes or workstreams
• Assist teams on complex projects and technical questions
• Manage and allocate work of team members for processes or workstreams
• Provide management reporting
• Oversee budgets for workstreams
• Develop marketing materials, internal updates, and newsletters

Other Key Responsibilities:

• Set and achieve project delivery deadlines within scope and budget; ensure client sign‐off on fees and scope as work commences
• Deliver projects within agreed budgets, identify out‐of‐scope work and proactively manage discussions with clients to bill all work timely
• Create and maintain centralised data management plan processes
• Complete and review calculations for pension benefit data both manually and spreadsheet‐based
• Revalue and devalue pension benefit data to determine under‐ or overpayments, reporting results to clients for rectification actions
• Undertake and review rectification actions to member benefits and issue communications
• Partner with Client and Administration Managers within the business on project delivery requirements and stakeholder management
• Deal confidently with HMRC, Clients, Scheme Actuaries, Scheme Administrators, Consultants, Pension Accounts/Payroll, Members and third parties by phone, email and letter
• Check and authorise other team members' work
• Understand and apply benefit structures, Trust Deed & Rules, Inland Revenue guidance notes, PSO, Disclosure requirements
• Provide technical information both verbally and in writing
• Ensure compliance with ISO and AAF accreditations
• Check and authorise project work
• Provide general support to the deputy/team manager
• Support delivery of a continuous improvement programme, championing operational excellence while identifying areas for service improvement or expansion
• Adapt to changing business needs by undertaking other similar activities within capabilities

Essential:

• Commercial acumen to plan, manage, track and deliver project revenue, client and business requirements within budget
• Strong organisational skills with proven ability to manage resources and operational delivery of a team to meet revenue targets and deliver work to plan
• Technical pensions and data projects knowledge to explain complex issues to key stakeholders internally and externally
• Ability to manipulate spreadsheet data using formulas such as INDEX, VLOOKUP, Pivot tables and Macros is essential
• Strong problem‐solving skills to efficiently resolve issues and enable projects to be delivered effectively in line with client requirements
• Proven ability to lead a project, providing strategic direction and guidance while managing, coaching and mentoring team members
• Concise and confident communicator of complex project issues – both verbally and in writing
• Ability to work within a team towards targets
• Be proactive, driven and committed
• Achieved some professional qualification successes (e.g., PMI / QPA / RPC / DPC / DPA) and actively working towards full qualification
• Foster an inclusive working environment and champion diversity within the team
• Support a culture of high standards, excellent quality and customer responsiveness

Desirable:

• Experience in a similar role dealing with DB pension schemes – although all applications are considered on an individual basis

What We Offer: Enjoy a competitive salary, annual discretionary bonus, and 25 days' holiday with buy/sell flexibility. Benefits include pension matching, healthcare plans, life assurance, and retailer discounts. We support our team with a flexible benefits scheme, employee assistance and a digital GP service. Participating in volunteering events is encouraged with paid volunteer days available. Referral bonuses are offered for introducing suitable candidates to XPS.

How To Apply: Interested candidates should submit applications below or contact recruitment@xpsgroup.com. Join XPS Group and contribute to a dynamic and inclusive workplace.

Equal Opportunity Statement: XPS Group is committed to diversity and equal opportunities. We welcome applications from all candidates, irrespective of sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief. As a Disability Confident employer, we ensure accessible and supportive work settings for all employees.

Eligibility: Any employment offer made will be conditional upon you satisfying DBS Disclosure checks, Employment or educational references, satisfactory credit checks and eligibility to work in the UK before an offer can be made. XPS Group is not able to provide sponsorship to employees.