Administration Technical Lead in Perth

About XPS Group

XPS Group is a prominent and growing UK consultancy and administration firm within the pensions and insurance sectors. As a FTSE 250 company with over 2000 employees, we leverage expertise alongside advanced technology to serve over 1,400 pension schemes and their sponsors. Our goal is to foster a workplace where diverse talents thrive.

Location: Perth

Employment Type: Permanent, Full Time

Grade: Senior Consultant

Hybrid Work model: Hybrid

About The Role

Reporting to the Service Delivery Manager, you will act as an administration technical resource to assist the Administration manager. This will include reviewing team practices and processes, improving team knowledge, creating efficiencies, auditing documentation and processes, and providing first line technical support when appropriate.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensuring appropriate technical training takes place and that all team members attend; ensuring new joiners receive such training regularly and promptly.
• Presenting training to team.
• Acting as a referral point for checking more complex cases.
• Keeping up to date with technical and legislative developments in the industry.
• Providing first line technical support to team to reduce ASG referrals; acting as first point of contact where ASG referral is required.
• Assisting the Admin Manager and team on any complex new process installations.
• Working on any key client projects requiring an additional level of technical support.
• Meeting regularly with Administration Managers and team members to establish areas of concern eg levels of complaints/errors, efficiencies already identified but not actioned, teams with loss of scheme knowledge. Plan resolution of any issues.
• Auditing existing scheme summaries and standardising where possible, creating summaries where they do not exist.
• Conducting internal process audits with a view to implementing efficiencies.
• Reviewing coded calculations for efficiency and compliance with Rules; investigate where further coding can be implemented.
• When reviewing calculations, conduct general overview of data for completeness.
• Reviewing a sample of standard letters and accompany notes to ensure they are consistent with Rules and calculations.
• For relatively new implementations, review post go live report to ensure any issues and actions have been followed up and completed (or a plan is in place to complete).
• Implementing planned changes with assistance of team. Review effectiveness 6 months on.
• Due to the changing nature of the business, the job holder may from time to time be required to undertake other activities of a similar nature that fall within their capabilities.

Your Profile

• Able to demonstrate an expert knowledge of pensions administration activities and apply this knowledge to any scheme.
• Previous pensions administration experience of Defined Benefit schemes including leavers, retirements, deaths, transfers, monthly processing and investment, benefit statements, renewals and pension increases. This role is likely to appeal to individuals with c. 6-7 years + experience although not exclusive as all applications will be considered on an individual basis.
• Knowledge of pensions legislation framework and demonstrable ability to remain informed of changes to the framework.
• Previous supervisory, leadership and management experience including performance monitoring, appraisals, recruitment etc.
• Third party pensions administration experience preferred, although strong all-round experience within an in house pensions department, which is not purely process driven will be considered.
• Previous presentational experience is desirable to assist with training.
• Able to demonstrate a numerical aptitude evidenced by work related experience or academic achievements as listed below.
• IT proficient, in particular Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.
• Positive personal impact qualities such as leadership, influencing, credibility and empathy.
• Effective management skills including awareness of management processes and motivation of staff. Supports, motivates and coaches colleagues and shares knowledge to the benefit of the team and wider Company.
• Excellent interpersonal abilities, able to forge strong working relationships with colleagues and clients.
• A client focused approach, able to develop trusting and credible partnerships with clients both face to face and via the telephone.
• Continues to seek ways of innovating and improving quality, service delivery and efficiencies in processes and procedures.
• A high degree of professional integrity.
• Self-motivated and enthusiastic approach to work, taking responsibility for personal and technical continuous professional development.
• Excellent organisational and planning skills, both of self and other team members. Capable of anticipating, resolving and owning problems, identifying solutions to management as and when required.
• An ability to manage conflicting demands on one’s time and able to work to tight deadlines in order to meet client and legal obligations. Competent at delegating to ensure best use of resources.
• Well-developed analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Sound decision making skills, safeguarding the interests of both client and Company.
• Thinking beyond the immediate team when considering tasks and action as to potential impacts.

Qualifications

• Strong Maths and English GCSE or equivalent qualification - minimum grade B.
• Significant progression with/or have completed a relevant pensions qualification g.CPC/QPA/DPC/RPC/APMI (applicants deemed "qualified by experience" would be considered).

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 digital GP service. Participating in volunteering events is encouraged with paid volunteer days available. Referral bonuses are offered for introducing suitable candidates to XPS.

Equal Opportunities 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.