[Hiring] Pensions Project Consultant @XPS Group

Role Description

Remote working opportunities with occasional office visits to an XPS office for team building - location and frequency to be discussed at interview.

Our teams of pension administrators provide services to a wide range of trust-based company pension schemes, including:

• Defined benefit
• Defined contribution
• Career average revalued earnings
• Hybrid schemes

Our APT (Administration Project Team) undertakes projects such as:

• GMP Rectification & Equalisation
• Buy-In/Buy-Out related De-Risking
• Data cleansing
• Ad hoc projects such as scheme closures, benefit rectifications and liability reduction exercises

As a Consultant within the De-Risking (RST) team, your areas of responsibility will include:

• Performing the role of Scheme Lead, maintaining overall responsibility for the completion of all data related items in respect of a De-Risking (Buy-In/Buy-Out) project.
• Attending meetings with relevant stakeholders to discuss & plan relevant tasks (internally & externally), taking a leading role in discussions to ensure effective/efficient plans and guidance/advice are provided.
• Delivering tasks in line with agreed deadlines and communicating with all relevant stakeholders.
• Managing resources assigned for the completion of tasks, including planning, developing, and providing feedback to team members.
• Planning, reviewing & authorising tasks alongside assigned resources.

Specific tasks required:

• Involvement and input into regular project management meetings, acting as the main point of contact for the De-Risking (RST) Team.
• Reviewing and querying Benefit Specifications provided for the purpose of a De-Risking project alongside scheme data.
• Extracting, interpreting, analysing and processing data from several sources (i.e. administration systems, calculated benefits, GMPE results, etc.).
• Undertaking bulk manual calculations such as CSP Calculations, Benefit Rectification & Benefit Audits.
• Setting up and leading “Kick off” calls with all relevant parties to discuss the task's reason, process to be followed, and expected issues along with potential resolutions.
• Monitoring the overall process of the De-Risking project alongside individual tasks, ensuring relevant stakeholders are contacted prior to any change in scope or to highlight additional costs at the earliest opportunity.
• Leading the planning process for tasks alongside assigned resources, reviewing work undertaken following completion, and providing authorisation that the completed task is fit/suitable for purpose.
• Providing ad-hoc/on the job training to assigned resources where required.
• Ensuring all projects/tasks are completed in an auditable manner, including providing feedback to allocated resources where processes/best practices have not been followed.
• Providing regular updates to the team manager and relevant stakeholders during scheduled meetings and on an ad-hoc basis.
• Occasional travel may be required due to the changing nature of the business.

Qualifications

• Client/Project Management experience from project conception to implementation.
• Thorough understanding of DB Pensions with significant manual calculation experience.
• Excellent organisational and planning skills.
• Strong Stakeholder management skills.
• Strong written, verbal and presentation skills to all levels.
• Ability to multi-task and respond to changing priorities.
• Able to take ownership and responsibility for own work.
• IT proficient in MS Office with a strong ability in Excel.
• Ability to create and manage documentation.
• Able to work as part of a multi-disciplined team.
• Flexible approach to work pressures.
• Good problem-solving skills.
• A high degree of accuracy and attention to detail in documentation.
• Strong belief in adhering to deadlines and quality service.
• Effective interpersonal skills, ability to communicate and build long-term working relationships at all levels, both internal and external of the organisation.
• Able to recognise the need for a customer-focused approach to their delivery both in terms of quality and exceeding customer expectations.
• Forming successful professional relationships both internally and externally.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Annual discretionary bonus
• 25 days’ holiday with buy/sell flexibility
• Pension matching
• Healthcare plans
• Life assurance
• Retailer discounts
• Flexible benefits scheme
• Employee assistance and digital GP service
• Paid volunteer days available
• Referral bonuses for introducing suitable candidates to XPS

Company Description

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.