Pensions Project Consultant - De-Risking (RST)

Pensions Project Consultant - De-Risking (RST)

Employment Type: Permanent, Full Time

Grade: Consultant

Hybrid

REQ003329

About XPS Group: 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.

About the Role: 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, and 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

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

• Performing the role of Scheme Lead. This involves maintaining overall responsibility for the completion of all data related items in respect of a De-Risking (Buy-In/Buy-Out) project.
• Attendance of meetings with relevant stakeholders to discuss & plan relevant tasks (internally & externally). This includes taking a leading role in these discussions to ensure any plan is effective/efficient and that guidance/advice is provided.
• The delivery of tasks in line with agreed deadlines and communication with all relevant stakeholders.
• Management of resource assigned for the completion of tasks. This includes planning, developing and providing feedback to resource within the team.
• Planning, reviewing & authorisation of tasks alongside assigned resource.

Specific tasks required:

• Involvement and input into regular project management meetings. This involves acting as the main point of contact for the De-Risking (RST) Team to ensure the interests of the team are represented.
• Review and query Benefit Specifications provided for the purpose of a De-Risking project alongside scheme data.
• Extract, interpret, analyse and process data from several sources (i.e. administration systems, calculated benefits, GMPE results, etc.).
• Undertake bulk manual calculations such as CSP Calculations, Benefit Rectification & Benefit Audits.
• Set up and lead "Kick off" calls with all relevant parties to discuss the reason for the task, the process to be followed (standard or non-standard) and any expected issues that may occur along with potential resolutions.
• Monitor the overall process of the De-Risking project alongside the individual tasks, both from a scope and budget perspective. Ensuring that relevant stakeholders are contacted prior to any change in scope or to highlight additional costs at the earliest opportunity.
• Lead the planning process for tasks alongside assigned resource, review work undertaken following completion and provide authorisation that the completed task is fit/suitable for purpose.
• Provide ad-hoc/on the job training to assigned resource where required.
• Ensure all projects/tasks are completed in an auditable manner including the provision of feedback to allocated resource where processes/best practice has not been followed.
• Provide regular updates to the team manager and relevant stakeholders during scheduled meetings and on an ad-hoc basis.
• Due to the changing nature of the business, the job holder may from time to time be required to undertake other activities of a similar nature that fall within their capabilities. Occasional travel will be required.

Your Profile:

Essential:

• 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.

What We Offer: Enjoy a competitive salary, annual discretionary bonus, and 25 days' holiday with buy/sell flexibility. Benefits include pension matching, healthcare plans, life assurance, and retailer discounts. We support our team with a flexible benefits scheme, employee assistance, and digital GP service. Participating in volunteering events is encouraged with paid volunteer days available. Referral bonuses are offered for introducing suitable candidates to XPS.

How to Apply: Interested candidates should submit applications via the Apply Now option or contact for more information.

Equal Opportunities Statement: XPS Group is committed to diversity and equal opportunities. We welcome applications from all candidates, irrespective of sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion, or belief. As a Disability Confident employer, we ensure accessible and supportive work settings for all employees.

Eligibility: Any employment offer made will be conditional upon you satisfying DBS Disclosure checks, Employment or educational references, Satisfactory credit checks and eligibility to work in the UK before an offer can be made. XPS Group is not able to provide sponsorship to employees.

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