Administration Manager

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Administration Manager - DC Projects & Scheme Events Location: Reading
Employment Type: Permanent, Full Time
Grade: Senior Consultant
Hybrid
REQ003481

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 range of pensions administration services include:

• Scheme administration
• Communication
• Scam identification
• Payroll services
• Pension scheme accounting
• De-risking projects
• Technical consultancy

Our administrative approach is scheme-based; one team is responsible for every aspect of each client's service, enabling us to build the best possible relationships and provide the clarity of focus each scheme deserves.

Ultimately, pension schemes are there for their members; we place just as much emphasis on delivering excellent customer service as we do on technical proficiency and quality control.

Key Responsibilities: Working closely with the Deputy Manager as prime day to day contact for income generating project work as well as regular scheme events for a given portfolio of XPS Administration clients to ensure provision of high-quality pension administration and consultancy services. In addition, you will be expected to participate in strategic business changes i.e. critical success factors, implement decisions made by the Board and Senior Management and understand the issues that affect the performance of the Company.

You will be involved in a wide range of pensions administration, management and consultancy tasks. As Administration Manager you will have prime accountability for the service delivery in terms of quality, profit and sustainability for an assigned XPS Administration client portfolio as well as the day-to-day line management of the designated team. Key responsibilities may include:

• Assisting or where appropriate leading the provision of pensions administration services for the assigned XPS Administration client portfolio, with focus on regular scheme events and projects.
• Overseeing the various DC administration tasks completed by the team e.g. handling of bulk joiners and leavers, lifestyling, contribution investment and regular reporting.
• Overseeing day to day management of client relationships with trustees and corporate clients, and participation in trustee and client meetings where applicable. Taking a proactive stance to gain an extensive knowledge of assigned client portfolio to ensure client confidence, credibility and trust. Reacting to clients' needs in a positive manner but maintaining the commercial interests of the business.
• Active participation in XPS Administration's marketing initiatives, new business activities, attending new business pitches and company events. Seeking opportunities to generate additional income from existing client portfolio.
• Providing expert advice solutions to pensions queries and pensions consultative advice; keeping abreast of technical and legislative developments within the pensions industry.
• Overseeing the project management of annual and ad-hoc projects such as renewals, Statutory Money Purchase Illustrations, scheme returns, investment strategy reviews and changes, transitions to master trusts and trustees' reports and accounts. Ensuring projects are fully monitored and completed in line with customer and legislation requirements.
• Involvement in the scrutinising of client work of other less experienced pensions administration team members. Signing out of ad-hoc and standard reports and letters, reviewing budgets and project timetables and scoping and project initiation documents.
• Ensuring all team accurately record time for billing on project work and for monitoring against core fees for core services. Monitoring fees charged against budgets.
• Disseminating information to team members on service delivery objectives and targets for assigned client portfolio. Presenting of technical matters at team meetings.
• Leading non-client activities, conducting internal audits, being alert to potential improvements in pensions administration processes, quality improvement and implementing changes. Ensuring Governance tracking measures (for example central spreadsheets, error logs etc) are updated promptly.
• Assuming responsibility for total workflow management for the designated team, including workload allocation, prioritisation and ensuring delivery in line with client expectations, legal timescales and service level agreements (SLAs). Holding regular workflow meetings with senior team members to manage progress and resolve any issues.
• Identifying team objectives or other necessary changes in line with business needs and actively implementing appropriate course of action.
• Positively contributing to regular management meetings, implementing any recommendations or decisions made in terms of working practices, resourcing, efficiencies and dissemination of communications to more junior staff.
• Formal staff management responsibilities including areas such as conducting appraisals, setting individual and team objectives, handling HR, performance management issues and recruitment related activities as and where required.
• Formal responsibilities for mentoring, training, coaching and developing of pensions administration team members. Ensuring adherence to company policies and working procedures.
• Forging strong working relationships with other departments/teams both internal and external to the Company in order to provide a total service to our clients. e.g. Pensions Accounts, Administration Consulting and Business Support.
• Ensuring the accurate updating on the time recording system for both chargeable and non-chargeable activities, enabling team and self to meet required utilisation and recovery targets, and providing encouragement to team to meet targets and objectives. Reporting to senior management by exception.
• 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.

Your Profile: Essential:

• Able to demonstrate an expert knowledge of pensions administration activities and apply this knowledge to any scheme.
• Previous pensions administration experience of Defined Contribution schemes including monthly investment of contributions, lifestyling, scheme renewal, Statutory Money Purchase Illustrations and implementing new investment strategies. This role is likely to appeal to individuals with significant experience although not exclusive as all applications will be considered on an individual basis.
• Thorough knowledge of pensions legislation framework and demonstrable ability to remain informed of changes to the framework.
• Previous supervisory, leadership and management experience including performance monitoring, appraisals, recruitment etc.
• Third party pensions administration experience preferred, although strong all-round experience within an in house pensions department, which is not purely process driven will be considered.
• Previous presentational experience is desirable to assist with client pitches, trustee meetings and account development activities.
• Able to demonstrate a numerical aptitude evidenced by work related experience or academic achievements as listed below.
• Previous project management experience would be required to perform pension administration project based work.
• IT proficient, in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook & PowerPoint.

Desirable:

• Marketing and new business activities.
• Developing business contacts/relationships.

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 Apply Now option or contact for more information. Join XPS Group and contribute to a dynamic and inclusive workplace.

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.

Who Are We: To find out more please visit:

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