Head of Pension Operations

Meridian Business Support are working with our fantastic client within the Financial Services sector, they are looking for a Head of Pension Operations to join their growing team based in the South Wiltshire Office.
About the role
Working closely within a departmental management team providing solutions to business requirements. Daily operational responsibility to direct, manage and support a number of SSAS Pensions Operation Managers and teams and working with the other Heads of Operations so that business, departmental and individual objectives are achieved whilst ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements and Company governance standards.
Key accountabilities:

• Direct, manage and support a number of SSAS operation leaders/managers who are in turn responsible for a team of SSAS account managers (where appropriate). Communicate effectively with all team members in a timely, clear and concise manner and using the most appropriate communication method in the circumstances.
• Lead, motivate and empower others whilst providing staff with development opportunities, coaching and support, delivered through a proactive hands-on approach via appropriate scheme related and legislative training and assessments to complement processes and procedures across all administration sites within requirements identified by senior management. Ensure there is suitable coaching support for team members in complex scheme related matters.
• Manage performance, development, absence, disciplinary matters, conflict resolution and team issues promptly, impartially, fairly and effectively in line with Company policies, procedures and culture.
• Establish mechanisms that encourage the generation of team spirit, ideas and suggestions, recognising the contribution of others, which improve overall business performance and processes. Role model the group values and drive the cultural changes required to become the best SSAS provider in the market by driving the customer centric and people driven organisation proposition.
• Work with the wider senior management team to identify and contain areas of actual and potential client risk (which may include but are not limited to reputational, financial, legislative, ethical, insurance, bad debt, property issues, re-registrations, etc) and have continuous awareness of concerns over workloads and any team or staff issues, overseeing their solution as appropriate. Liaise with other business areas as appropriate in line with procedural requirements.
• Manage SSAS team’s workflow, activities and output in line with business objectives, good working practices, procedures, legislation, regulatory requirements, SLAs and other deadlines, proactively highlighting any issues to line manager. Produce MI as and when required on operational activities or allocated projects and review MI and streamline processes to identify where procedures can be improved, simplified or streamlined for the customer journey and cost efficiency drivers.
• Have high level involvement in a range of departmental and Company-wide projects impacting on the SSAS operational area as required and directed by senior management. Take ownership of activities and projects, planning well in advance and take into account possible changing circumstances whilst still achieving deadlines. Delivery of projects within agreement and/or regulatory deadlines in agreement with line or senior management.

About you:

• Previous experience (minimum three years) in a management role, with a proven track record of motivating team managers and members of a team to achieve goals and targets, with positive results gained against business objectives in a pension/ member directed scheme environment.
• Have a sound knowledge of Company products and the financial services sector, in particular member directed pensions. Technical expertise in all areas of Pensions and previous experience of managing a portfolio of member directed schemes.
• Current knowledge and understanding of FCA regulations, HMRC and legislative practices in line with Company policies and procedures.
• Proven experience of managing, training and developing others, particularly in a 1-2-1 environment and able to fairly assess the development needs of team members.
• Previous experience of all areas of performance and absence management, and relationship handling of team members, doing so impartially, fairly and in line with Company policies and procedures.
• Strong skills and literate in the standard IT programmes, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
• Strong influencing skills and the ability to be flexible in all areas of the business whilst maintaining a committed approach to the organisation.

This is a full time Hybrid role working Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm, offering a salary of £55,000 - £60,000 plus great benefits.
Please contact Gemma Lawrence at Meridian on 07876 250477 to apply and find out more or email glawrence@meridianbs.co.uk