Employer Funding & Risk Lead

Your tasks

We are seeking an experienced Employer Funding & Risk Lead to support a major Local Government Pension Fund in proactively managing employer-related financial, funding and covenant risks.

The successful candidate will play a key role in monitoring the financial health and changing circumstances of participating employers, identifying emerging risks and recommending appropriate mitigation measures to safeguard the Fund's long-term financial sustainability.

Working closely with senior pension fund leadership, actuarial advisers and other professional stakeholders, you will provide expert analysis, advice and oversight across employer funding and risk matters.

• Proactively identify, assess and manage funding, financial and covenant risks associated with participating employers.
• Monitor changes in employer circumstances, financial standing, organisational structures and relevant legislation that may affect individual employer or overall Fund risk profiles.
• Assess employer funding positions, pension liabilities and potential financial exposures, working closely with actuarial and professional advisers.
• Maintain and develop employer risk assessments, monitoring frameworks and appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Escalate material risks and emerging concerns to senior pension fund leadership, providing clear recommendations and supporting evidence.
• Support the implementation and review of employer funding strategies, contribution arrangements and relevant funding policies.
• Provide specialist input into employer admissions, exits, restructurings, cessation arrangements and associated funding implications.
• Review employer covenant strength and assess the potential requirement for guarantees, security or alternative funding arrangements.
• Prepare clear reports, risk assessments and recommendations for senior management and relevant governance committees.
• Build effective working relationships with participating employers, internal teams, actuarial advisers and external stakeholders.
• Support compliance with LGPS regulations, statutory requirements and relevant pension fund governance standards.

Requirements

This is a specialist opportunity for a pensions professional with a strong understanding of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), employer funding arrangements and financial risk management.

Essential Experience & Skills

• Substantial experience in LGPS administration, pension fund finance, employer funding, actuarial support or a closely related pensions risk environment.
• Strong understanding of employer funding arrangements, pension liabilities, actuarial valuations and funding strategies.
• Experience identifying, assessing and managing financial or employer-related risks.
• Knowledge of the regulatory and governance framework governing the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Ability to interpret complex financial and actuarial information and translate findings into practical recommendations.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and risk assessment capabilities.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, including the ability to engage confidently with senior professionals and external advisers.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound professional judgement and manage competing priorities.

Desirable Experience

• Previous experience within an LGPS administering authority or public sector pension fund.
• Employer covenant assessment and financial strength monitoring.
• Funding Strategy Statements and employer contribution setting.
• Employer admissions, cessations, exit valuations and security arrangements.
• Working with pension fund actuaries, legal advisers and investment or finance professionals.
• Relevant qualifications in pensions, finance, accounting, actuarial studies or risk management.

We welcome applications from suitably qualified candidates with strong pensions funding, employer covenant or financial risk management backgrounds.

What we offer

This is an opportunity to contribute to the financial resilience and effective governance of a significant public sector pension fund.

You will work on complex employer funding and risk matters, influence important funding decisions and collaborate with experienced pensions professionals and senior stakeholders.

Other

Daily Rate: Up to £475 Umbrella, depending on relevant experience and specialist expertise.