Pensions Manager

We are recruiting for Pensions Manager to join our Payroll & Pensions team in Huntingdon. 

The main purpose of the job is to continuously improve the efficiency and professionalism of EPM’s Pension reporting, including but not solely Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) and Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) in order to fulfil the obligations outlined in the Payroll Service Specification and to develop and maintain positive and proactive working relationships with the numerous pension funds. This is an internal and external facing role, responsible for pension related projects.

Specifically, the role is to effectively manage and improve the pension reporting processes and deliver on EPM’s strategic vision for pension service delivery. To identify opportunities and system improvements required by pension regulations as part of the organisation’s continuous improvement model.

Main Responsibilities

Customer Responsibilities

• To ensure that the Service Specification is up-to-date and complies with the most recent pension requirements as imposed by LGPS and TPS.

• To ensure that customers are proactively aware of the service that we provide for pension administration, and ensuring that they are kept up-to-date with changes through information provided in advice notes, termly updates and our customer contact strategy.

• Manage a very limited number of customers on all aspects of payroll and carry out the day to day payroll processes to understand the practical pension implications on payroll. Liaise with the allocated schools to ensure a seamless HR & Payroll service.

• Manage the overall process to ensure that all statutory year-end and monthly requirements are met to comply with LGPS and TPS reporting requirements.

• Understand the different types of customer and any variations to pension reporting needs. Respond and communicate effectively and flexibly with customers where appropriate via telephone, email or other methods in a professional manner to ensure that customers receive timely, accurate and valued advice.

• Undertake visits and meetings with pension funds and customers to support and advise on complex payroll or pension issues.

Team Management Responsibilities (under the direction of the Director)

• Lead, manage and motivate the pension quality and compliance advisers. Take responsibility for managing leave, absences, performance and other employee matters ensuring team members understand and comply with company policies and procedures in particular data protection and health and safety. 
• Ensure that EPM delivers on pension reporting duties and deadlines are met on a monthly or annual basis to comply with pension regulations.
• Ensure that internally there are comprehensive guidance notes for each pension fund so that the information required can be reported in an accurately and timely manner by the administrator or payroll colleague.
• Be responsible for the smooth transfer and set up of new pension funds to payroll, ensuring Connect set-up is completed and guidance notes for administration are in place in preparation for the start of the contract.
• Be responsible for the testing of Connect updates in line with changes introduced to pension requirements or implementing improvements.
• Prepare for and attend regular payroll/pension meetings and training to keep pace with current legislation, company policies and procedures and to enable transmission of accurate advice to customers and payroll team members.
• Provide guidance and support on more complex pension issues and queries to the payroll team members in order to support the development of their knowledge and skills and to ensure customers receive timely and accurate advice.
• Monitor the level of accuracy and efficiency of pension processing and analyse available data including tweet sheets, customer feedback; proactively addressing any customer service concerns or complaints escalating to a Director, when appropriate.
• To be involved with the Administrator recruitment to support the pension reporting team.
• Lead on departmental and company-wide training topics.

Broader Responsibilities

• Proactively keep up to date with statutory changes and legislation in order to lead and assist in the ongoing review and development of the, pension processes, payroll system and internal procedures to ensure that they are fit for purpose and as efficient as possible.
• Proactively prepare for and attend monthly Senior Management Team meetings and discuss company-wide, strategic issues including performance of the payroll and pension function, potential and acquired new business, improvement of the efficiency and effectiveness of business processes and business development opportunities.
  
• Proactively assist in the ongoing development of the system and customer service level agreement, taking an active role in identifying changes to legislation which may affect such development.
• Develop and implement new processes and procedures in order to improve efficiency and performance.
• Be responsible for leading any pension related projects under the direction of a Director.

Internal Team and Broader Responsibilities

• Contribute to the sharing of good practice and knowledge amongst colleagues, as required.
• Attend and participate in regular team meetings as appropriate and training to keep up to date with current legislation, policies and procedures and other relevant guidance.
• Be compliant with EPM employee policies and procedures.
• Provide support for other colleagues when necessary.
• Promote the company positively, seeing opportunities for new business and maintaining positive relationships with pension funds.
• Proactively seek new and innovative ways to work smarter not harder and to meet the company’s objectives of clarity and consistency.
• Proactively participate in the EPM Learning & Development programme.
• Proactively participate in the EPM Appraisal process.
• Maintain high levels of confidentiality and integrity at all times.
• Perform miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Person Specification
Qualifications

Experience, Skills and Abilities