Address
Form of work
SalaryService: Finance
DBS Required: No
Agreement Type: Permanent
Work Pattern: Full Time
Contracted Hours: 36
We are looking for a dynamic and collaborative leader to take responsibility for Hackney Council’s £2bn Pension Fund. You will lead a highly collaborative and supportive team, delivering an outstanding service to the Fund’s 26,000 scheme members.
As the Assistant Director ofPension Fund Investment & Administration Services, you will play a vital part in managing the Council’s Pension Fund, with responsibility for the fund’s investments, along with managing the actuarial, accounting and governance aspects of the fund. You will also be responsible for a range of Pension related projects including external collaborative projects on procurement and pooling of investments. You will also be responsible for the management of a team of professional staff, as well as being a key member of the Financial Management Leadership Team.
You will oversee and strategically direct the investments and administration services function of the Council’s Pension Fund. Specifically, the contract management and monitoring the performance of several external investment managers managing circa £2bn of Pension Fund Assets, the management of the Fund’s Actuary and Investment Advisers, including the Pension Fund Custodian and Pension Fund performance measurement service.
This is an opportunity to work with a highly collaborative and supportive team, whilst broadening your experience and exposure.
Leading on the development and delivery of administration by third parties will be key to your role, combined with a keen focus on robust governance and managing the relationship with the external employers participating in the Pension Fund including Hackney schools.
As part of the senior leadership team, you will proactively contribute to wider pensions strategic objectives, drawing on your keen awareness of the developing pensions landscape from a legislative and trends perspective.
You must have the ability to deliver high quality performance in a multi-disciplinary environment and have the ability to manage the Council’s Pension Fund investments, accounting, actuarial and governance in a fast moving dynamic atmosphere delivering high quality services to the Council.
You will be responsible for ensuring the Pension Fund is high performing and efficient and will report to the Director of Financial Management, as well as the Pensions Committee and Board. You will also be responsible for working closely with other service areas and with external providers, to ensure that they meet service level agreements. You will be the key officer in supporting both the Pensions Committee and Pensions Board ensuring that the Pension Fund is managed as efficiently as possible in accordance with all regulations with security being a key priority.
The successful candidate is required to be flexible and adaptable, combined with a high level of professional credibility.
You need to be self-motivated and confident and be able to think strategically with the ability to make a real difference to the management of the Pension fund. You will be able to work effectively when you have a number of competing demands on your time and tight deadlines to adhere to. You will also have the ability to manage staff and develop them to be high achieving. Ideally, you will have a background in treasury and/or banking management in a local authority environment.
Specifically, we are looking for candidates who have a passion for customer service and service delivery improvements who can demonstrate the following key criteria:
- Pensions and/or actuarial experience at management level.
- The ability to analyse, understand and interpret written guidance, policies and procedures and make sound judgement on pensions related issues.
- Ability to engage and develop professional relationships with a wide range of organisations and officers.
- The ability to develop practical and creative solutions to manage emerging issues.
There is no better place to work in London than Hackney; we have great pride in our borough, our communities, and our services. Hackney is one of London’s most vibrant and diverse boroughs. It’s one of the most sought after areas to live in London with good schools, parks and local amenities, as well as great transport links and vibrant and diverse communities.
If you want to work in a place where you can represent our values so we achieve the best for our businesses and residents and the opportunity of working here excites you, please click on the apply button below.
The recruitment process is anonymous. Therefore, we do not accept supporting statements or CVs.
When applying, there will be a number of questions relating to the post on the application form. It is essential that you complete the application questions, responding to each using examples of your skills, knowledge and experience.
We will not accept applications where Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been used to assist with completing the competency questions or any part of the application form.
This application process replaces a supporting statement.
Closing date for applications: 21 April 2024 (22:59 pm)
Interview dates: W/c 29 April 2024
We are also working towards our vision, which is to be a place for everyone; where residents and staff can be proud; a place that celebrates diversity and where everyone can feel valued, included and involved. In order to achieve this, we look for people who are: Proud; Ambitious; Pioneering; Open; Proactive; Inclusive.
Hackney Council works to eradicate discrimination on the basis of race, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy and maternity, age and marital status. We also recognise that people can be disadvantaged by their social and economic circumstances, so we will also work to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage caused by social class. We also welcome those interested in flexible working. We particularly welcome applications from disabled people, as this group is currently under represented in our workforce.
The Council has a dedicated employment support service (Hackney Works), which offers Hackney residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you are thinking about applying for a job, please contact the Hackney Works team to find out what support is available: hackneyworks@hackney.gov.uk
