Pension Administration Lead

Your tasks

We are seeking an experienced and commercially astute Pension Administration Lead to take a leading role in managing employer-related pension administration, financial exposure and operational risk within a major Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).

This is a specialist opportunity involving engagement with approximately 175 participating employers, including local authorities, housing associations, charities, educational institutions, academies and outsourced service providers.

Reporting to the Head of Pension Fund, the successful candidate will provide professional advice to participating employers on complex pension matters, funding implications, organisational restructuring and the financial consequences of employer admissions and cessations.

Pension Administration & Employer Risk

• Lead the coordination and management of complex employer-related pension administration matters, ensuring compliance with LGPS regulations and statutory requirements.
• Identify, assess and manage operational and financial risks arising from changes in participating employers' circumstances.
• Provide specialist advice to local authorities, housing associations, charities, academies and other participating organisations on their pension obligations.
• Support employers in understanding the financial implications of workforce restructuring, redundancy programmes and changes to service delivery.
• Advise on pension-related options and associated financial considerations to support employer budget planning and business case development.

Employer Admissions, Cessations & Funding

• Coordinate employer admissions, exits and cessation arrangements, ensuring appropriate consideration of pension liabilities and funding implications.
• Work with actuarial advisers to assess employer assets, liabilities, funding positions and potential exit debts.
• Support the management of significant employer financial exposures, including cessation liabilities and funding commitments.
• Provide advice on employer contribution arrangements, funding implications and long-term financial sustainability.
• Liaise with professional advisers to ensure complex employer decisions are informed by appropriate financial, actuarial and regulatory analysis.

Governance, Compliance & Stakeholder Management

• Coordinate specialist advice on Internal Dispute Resolution Procedures (IDRPs), actuarial valuations and other complex pension matters.
• Provide clear and authoritative advice to participating employers, senior officers and relevant governance stakeholders.
• Support the Head of Pension Fund in evaluating emerging risks and developing appropriate responses.
• Work collaboratively with actuarial, legal and other professional advisers to ensure informed decision-making.
• Prepare reports, recommendations and briefings on complex pension administration and employer-related issues.
• Contribute to effective governance, regulatory compliance and the ongoing financial viability of the Fund.

Requirements

The position requires a strong understanding of LGPS regulations, employer obligations, actuarial processes and pension fund governance, alongside the ability to advise senior stakeholders and coordinate specialist professional input.

Essential Experience & Skills

• Significant experience within Local Government Pension Scheme administration, pension fund management or a closely related public sector pensions environment.
• Strong working knowledge of LGPS regulations, employer obligations and pension administration requirements.
• Experience managing complex employer-related pension matters, including admissions, cessations or organisational restructuring.
• Understanding of pension funding arrangements, actuarial valuations, employer liabilities and financial risk.
• Ability to interpret complex pension legislation and provide clear, practical advice to employers and senior stakeholders.
• Experience working with pension fund actuaries, legal advisers and other specialist professionals.
• Strong analytical, financial assessment and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent stakeholder management, negotiation and communication abilities.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, exercise professional judgement and work independently.

Desirable Experience

• Previous experience within an LGPS administering authority or local government pension fund.
• Experience advising employers on redundancy programmes, workforce restructuring and pension-related financial implications.
• Knowledge of employer exit debts, cessation valuations and funding arrangements.
• Familiarity with Internal Dispute Resolution Procedures and pension fund governance.
• Experience supporting pension fund committees, senior leadership teams or public sector decision-makers.
• Relevant professional qualifications in pensions administration, finance, accounting or a related discipline.

What we offer

This is an opportunity to work at the centre of a significant public sector pension fund, providing specialist advice across a diverse portfolio of participating employers.

The role offers exposure to complex financial and operational matters, including employer restructuring, pension liabilities, actuarial valuations and significant funding decisions.

You will work closely with senior pension fund leadership and professional advisers, helping organisations understand and manage their pension responsibilities while protecting the long-term interests of the Fund.

How to apply

To Apply: Please submit your CV, clearly stating your daily rate expectations, availability and relevant LGPS experience.

Other

Daily Rate: £237–£300, subject to the applicable PAYE or umbrella arrangement.