Operations Manager - Public Sector

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Location: London

Employment Type: Permanent, Full Time

Grade: Senior Consultant

Hybrid REQ003307

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.

About the Role: Our teams of pension administrators deliver services to a wide range of public sector pension schemes, including defined benefit, career average revalued earnings (CARE), and hybrid arrangements. Our administrative approach is scheme-focused; each team takes responsibility for every aspect of its assigned client's service. This structure enables us to build strong, collaborative relationships and maintain the clarity and accountability that public sector schemes require.

In this role, you will support the Regional Operations Manager in leading and directing the Pension Administration Team based in our London office, ideally working on-site 2 days a week. The Operations Manager provides full-time oversight of the teams, with a particular emphasis on governance, compliance, people development, and process improvement. For the right candidate, there may also be opportunities to engage in client relationship management and fee-earning activities. However, the primary focus of the role is ensuring the consistent delivery of high-quality services, developing the capabilities of your team, and enhancing the systems, procedures, and compliance framework that underpin our work across the public sector.

Key Responsibilities:

• Reporting to a Regional Operations Manager and being a key member of their management team, you will be actively involved in managing and delivering our pension administration services across the London office, with opportunities to support projects impacting the wider Pension Administration business.
• Specific objectives focus on optimizing the balance between three overall aims:

• Quality - delivering an industry-leading service
• Profit - running an efficient and profitable operation
• Long-term sustainability - investing in our clients, people, and systems

• Maintain and enhance high-quality standards and long-term sustainability of services provided to clients across the business.
• Manage and develop the pensions administration capability by demonstrating positive leadership and mentoring Administration Managers and their Deputies when required.
• Contribute to attracting, training, and retaining employees by recruiting appropriately and motivating, rewarding, and developing existing team members.
• Manage HR issues and coordinate administration resources.
• Develop the commercial aspects of the function, involving Administration Managers in tendering and client-facing work, billing effectively for value added to clients, and ensuring profitability.
• Participate in ongoing analysis of the efficiency of systems and processes, collaborating with other areas such as the Projects Team.
• Assist with tendering processes, creating responses, and leading the administration aspects of full-service tenders.
• Conduct client assignments such as trustee secretarial appointments, project work, and client relationship management.
• Build strong and productive relationships with senior actuaries across the business and other offices.
• Support strategic business change and manage the implementation of new practices and processes.
• Contribute to business-wide process and systems change.

Your Profile - Essential:

• Experienced pension professional with a strong track record in managing, developing, and delivering pensions administration services - Specifically within the Public Sector.
• Thorough knowledge of technical pension administration activities and ability to apply this knowledge to any scheme.
• Previous experience with Defined Benefits (DB) and Defined Contributions (DC) schemes.
• Proven experience across the new business lifecycle, including proposals, client pitches, and negotiations.
• Experience operating within a compliant framework and strong understanding of quality standards.
• Previous line management experience, including appraisals, HR issue management, performance management, and recruitment.
• IT proficiency, particularly Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Demonstrated leadership skills in mentoring and motivating teams.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to inspire, lead, and manage a diverse team.
• Resilience and ability to work under pressure.
• Strong numerical, analytical, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Collaborative team player with enthusiasm.
• Highly organized with ability to plan and prioritize workloads.
• Commercial and professional focus with a results-oriented mindset.
• Confidence in engaging at senior levels and a creative, forward-thinking approach.
• Commitment to a customer-focused approach, ensuring quality and exceeding expectations.

Qualifications:

• Educated to A Level, Degree, or equivalent experience.
• Ideally, a minimum of three C grades or above at A Level or equivalent qualification.
• Strong Maths and English GCSE or equivalent qualification (minimum grade B).
• APMI qualification (or applicants deemed 'qualified by experience' will 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.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should submit applications via Apply Now option or contact recruitment@xpsplc.com for more information. Join XPS Group and contribute to a dynamic and inclusive workplace.

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.