LGPS Technical Officer

Overview

Do you have LGPS/ pensions knowledge? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you to join our highly established customer-focused Pensions Administration Team.

This role offers flexible working arrangements, the usual requirement is an average of one day a week in the office however depending on individual needs we can be flexible and this can be discussed with the hiring manager.

As an LGPS Technical Officer, you will report directly to the Pensions Administration Manager. You will be responsible for the interpretation of new pension legislation and associated legislation, and ensuring accurate information is provided to scheme members, employers and fund officers. You will maintain a communications plan and policy statement and be responsible for writing and delivering presentations to internal and external audiences, this is mainly through webinars and information videos posted on a private YouTube channel.

We value hard work and success, and we're proud to offer our employees a range of benefits. We promote a healthy work-life balance and our employees enjoy discounts at various cafes, restaurants, and shops, as well as auto-enrollment in our generous pension scheme (currently employers contribution 23.6%). We also offer a salary sacrifice personal car lease scheme, membership to Costco, discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva, and much more.

About us

Buckinghamshire Council is a relatively new organisation that combines the strengths and expertise of the previous five councils in the county to create positive change for local people, communities, and businesses. We are firmly focused on the future and have made a clear commitment to serve residents better and to provide stronger representation for Buckinghamshire, both locally and nationally. 

Our Pensions & Investments Team administers the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) for over 85,000 scheme members. As an LGPS Technical Officer, you will work closely with the Pensions Administration Manager and other Senior Officers to ensure the Fund is technically compliant with scheme regulations and produce clear and accurate communications to stakeholders.

About the role

Key Accountabilities

• To interpret & implement new pensions legislation for the Local Government Pension Scheme and provide guidance to Scheme members & employers.
• To work with the Assistant Pensions Administration Manager to lead change in response to legislative changes.
• To develop and maintain both a communications policy statement and plan.
• Responsibility for leading on all scheme communications.
• To be responsible for planning, writing and making presentations & facilitating training courses on pension matters to internal and external audiences.
• To review and maintain letters in relation to Benefit Administration processes.
• To assist with communications aspects of ad hoc projects
• To represent the Fund at Regional and National Groups as required.

Please see the attached job summary for further information. 

About you

We are looking for an individual with relevant experience within LGPS/Pensions administration with a detailed knowledge of all related legislation and a proven ability to explain technical/specialist information. Experience of coping with conflicting and changing demands with the ability to work under pressure is also key to the role.

Other information

For any queries relating to this post or for a general discussion please contact Claire Lewis-Smith via email at [email protected]

Advert closing date: Sunday 7th July 2024.

Interviews to take place following the advert closing date.

This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent cautions and/or unspent convictions

For further information on how long it takes for cautions and convictions cautions to become spent, please refer to our guide on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (updated 2023) | Nacro

We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.

Our values and culture

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

• a fair and inclusive culture
• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

About the Business Unit

Resources cover a wide range of specialisms, including Human Resources, Finance, ICT and Business Operations. Our main focus is supporting the other directorates to provide the best possible service to our residents. To do that, we have to make sure we have the right people in the right roles across the organisation. From our finance teams, working strategically to ensure the best value from public money; to HR keeping our employees healthy and happy, each service is vital in making sure Buckinghamshire Council has what it needs to run effectively and efficiently.

As well as providing high quality services to other areas of the Council, you could also be helping us build on the revenue which comes from our external clients. If you are ambitious, customer-focussed and bursting with new ideas, we want to hear from you.

We recognise and reward you

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. We also offer a salary sacrifice personal car lease scheme to those who are eligible and have passed their probation period. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.

https://jobs.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/working-buckinghamshire-council/