Pensions Administration Manager

XPS Group is a leading UK consulting and administration business specialising in the pensions and insurance sectors. Our vision is to create a vibrant place to work where difference is recognised as a strength and where talented people can flourish and achieve their highest potential. Our Pensions Administration business continues to grow and we are now looking for an experienced Pensions Administration Manager to join our vibrant Bristol office with hybrid working.

This is a new and exciting role where it would best suit someone from a similar Pensions Manager role with extensive experience and knowledge of DB pension schemes, pension legislation and managing a portfolio of clients.

The Team: Our award-winning pensions administration business puts scheme members at the heart of everything we do. Our services include scheme administration, first-time outsourcing, member communications and scam protection.

The Role: As a Administration Manager with XPS you will:

• Lead the provision of pensions administration services for the assigned XPS Administration client portfolio.
• Oversee day to day management of client relationships with trustees and corporate clients, and participate in trustee and client meetings where applicable.
• Participate in XPS Administration's marketing initiatives, new business activities, attending new business pitches and company events.
• Seek opportunities to generate additional income from existing client portfolio.
• Provide expert advice solutions to pensions queries and pensions consultative advice; keeping abreast of technical and legislative developments within the pensions industry.
• Oversee the project management of annual and ad-hoc projects such as renewals, benefit statements, pension increases, scheme returns, and trustees' reports and accounts.
• Ensure projects are fully monitored and completed in line with customer and legislation requirements.
• Mentor less experienced colleagues in the team.
• Take responsibility for all aspects of admin billing, in conjunction with Operations Manager and/or Client Manager.
• Ensure all recorded admin time is billed or accrued by the monthly deadline, all chargeable work is correctly recorded on the time recording system and billed as soon as possible, and all bills are issued and payment received on time.
• Present technical matters at team meetings.
• Lead non-client activities, conducting internal audits, being alert to potential improvements in pensions administration processes, quality improvement and implementing changes.
• Ensure Governance tracking measures (for example central spreadsheets, error logs etc) are updated promptly.
• Be responsible for total workflow management of the team.
• Identify team objectives or other necessary changes in line with business needs, and actively implement appropriate course of action.
• Positively contribute to regular management meetings, implementing any recommendations or decisions made in terms of working practices, resourcing, efficiencies and dissemination of communications to more junior staff.
• Have formal staff management responsibilities including areas such as; conducting appraisals, setting individual and team objectives, handling HR, performance management issues and recruitment related activities as and where required.
• Forge strong working relationships with other departments/teams both internal and external to the Company in order to provide a total service to our clients.
• Ensure the accurate updating on the time recording system for both chargeable and non-chargeable activities, enabling team and self to meet required utilisation and recovery targets, and providing encouragement to team to meet targets and objectives.
• Report to senior management by exception.

Your profile: Essential Criteria

• Previous pensions administration experience of Defined Benefit schemes including leavers, retirements, deaths, transfers, monthly processing and investment, benefit statements, scheme renewal and pension increases.
• Thorough 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 client pitches, trustee meetings and account development activities.
• Able to demonstrate a numerical aptitude evidenced by work related experience or academic achievements.
• Previous project management experience would be required to perform pension administration project based work.
• IT proficient, in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook & PowerPoint.

What we offer:

• Competitive salary
• Participation in annual discretionary Bonus Scheme
• 25 days holiday plus flexibility to buy or sell holiday
• Flexible Bank holidays
• Pension scheme, matching contribution structure
• Healthcare cash plan
• Flexible Benefits Scheme to support you in and out of work
• Life Assurance cover, four times basic salary
• XPS Rewards (offers High Street discounts and savings from retailers and services providers as well as offers available via phone)
• Employee Assistance Programme for you and your household
• Access to a digital GP service
• Paid volunteering day when participating in Company organised events
• Staff referral scheme when you introduce a friend to XPS

What next: If you feel XPS could be the next step on your career ladder, please apply directly via the links provided and we look forward to learning more about you. We will consider all applicants and respond swiftly. Please discuss with the recruitment team, via phone or email, if you require any adjustments to the recruitment process.

The successful candidate will need to demonstrate the following requirements:

• Right to Work confirmation
• DBS Disclosure check
• Employment or educational references covering five years
• Satisfactory credit check

We continuously strive to build an inclusive workplace where all forms of diversity are valued, including age, background, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, race, religion or sexual orientation.

Please note we reserve the right to close our vacancies early and we only accept CVs direct from candidates or our preferred supplier list. XPS try wherever possible to respond to all applicants if for any reason you have not heard from us within 28 days of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.