Pensions Administrator EHA

Transcription

1 It is important to note that this job description is a guide to the work you will be required to undertake. It may change from time to time to meet the needs of the service. It does not form part of your contract of employment. Job description for the post of Pensions Administrator EHA The postholder will be: Accountable to: Responsible to: Director of Finance Pensions Manager Main purpose of the post You will provide an effective and efficient pension administration service across the University s three main pension schemes. Attention to detail is key as the role will involve processing a wide variety of documents in accordance with the various Scheme s rules, administrative guidelines and regulatory requirements. Acting as first point of contact for staff pension queries, and ensuring the efficient operation of auto enrolment, starter and leaver processes, and the provision and transfer of accurate data to pension providers means you will need an excellent working knowledge of pension scheme administration along with the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with staff. You will have excellent numerical, analytical and IT skills and an ability to build and maintain highly effective working relationships with customers and colleagues. A positive, customer focussed, self-motivated approach will contribute to the delivery of high levels of professional standards and behaviours and to the continuing delivery of excellent customer service within the Pensions Team. About You You will have proven ability to adopt appropriate communication styles to meet customer and support service requirements, including the ability to negotiate successfully, persuade and establish effective working relations with client and service providers. Your confident and friendly approach and the ability to build strong working relationships, will enable you to liaise effectively and professionally with people at all levels, both internally and externally. You will have the proven ability to work calmly under pressure and manage several projects effectively at any one time, while meeting tight deadlines. Your strong organisational skills and scrupulous attention to the finite detail of all arrangements, will be demonstrable.

2 You will have great interpersonal skills, strong customer focus and drive for continuous improvement through our success through customer care brand. You will be self-motivated, with drive for personal learning and development, actively participating in our Performance Review and Development scheme and identifying opportunities for enhancing your own skills and competencies. You will also be a creative thinker, able to apply this to problem solving, discussion and development within the team and your role, always with the benefit of the customer in mind. Most of all you will share our commitment to providing the highest levels of customer service. Main duties of the post a) To be responsible for the efficient and accurate processing of documentation relating to new starters and leavers for the University s three pensions schemes (LGPS, TPS and USS), to include processing of retirement applications, b) Responsible for maintaining accurate employee pension records on the University s HR and Payroll system. Including actioning pension opt-outs, AVCs, scheme transfers and contribution rate re-bandings, c) To assist the Pensions Manager in the administration of monthly Auto-enrolment activities, including earnings assessments, the generation of accurate and timely Auto Enrolment communications such as auto enrolment letters, postponement letters, age 22 letters to staff, and the reporting of auto-enrolled staff to pension providers. d) To be responsible for the production of data / analytics for the annual pension report and ad hoc Faculty/ service reporting. Supporting the Pensions Manager in the identification, analysis and presentation of Key Performance Indicators (KPI s) to agreed CSE standards/ business requirements; and co-ordinating with Finance colleagues the effective capture/ collection and delivery of data e) Working proactively to investigate, plan and install system based measures to automate standard admin processes (i.e. letters, reminder alerts, workflow etc.) f) To act as first point of contact for pension scheme administrators and for all staff pension queries ensuring that all enquiries and corresponding documentation is handled sensitively and professionally. g) To provide highly detailed information on procedures as and when required, providing informative advice and guidance. h) To communicate standard pension scheme information in an appropriate way to members and prospective members. i) To ensure member statement details are correct and where there are queries ensure effective and timely liaison with key parties including the HR team, Payroll team and administrators of the LGPS, TPS and USS to resolve queries on membership records.

3 j) To conduct appropriate pensions calculations as and when required including pension costs, salary re-banding and intra-scheme calculations in accordance with scheme rules. k) To calculate and report on Assumed Pensionable Pay in cases of reduced pay Maternity and sickness. l) Working with the Pensions Manager, ensure that the Pensions Wiki and other information resources are kept up to date and accurate. m) To administer inter-scheme transfers including processing requests from members for investigation of transfers in and transfers out of the relevant pension scheme. This will include obtaining transfer values from the scheme actuary and corresponding with other pension providers and scheme members regarding transfers. n) Take responsibility for day to day administrative processes as allocated by the Pensions Manager. o) Use own initiative to investigate queries and make decisions to provide for effective solutions and escalating where necessary. p) To contribute to the design, co-ordination and production of a number of regular statutory pension reports including pension scheme monthly and annual returns and internal management reports in collaboration with the Pensions Manager. q) Build and maintain effective working relationships with customers and colleagues, such as Human Resources providing excellent Customer Care in dealing with all internal and external customers. r) Ensure that service level agreements are achieved in the resolution of all enquiries / queries and pension scheme processes. s) To liaise with staff within the faculties where appropriate and liaise with relevant external agencies in order to keep abreast of any new developments and to ensure that any changes to pensions are communicated to colleagues through the presentation and publication of appropriate material for both internal and external use. t) To observe all legal and procedural requirements in relation to data management and confidentiality e.g. Data Protection Act, Freedom of Information Act, internal data management policies and procedures. u) To provide support to the wider payroll team as required to ensure the highest level of customer care excellence is delivered across the payroll service at all times. v) To undertake any other duties as deemed appropriate by the Head of Payroll and Pension or Pensions Manager.

4 In addition to the above all Edge Hill staff are required to: a) Adhere to all Edge Hill s policies and procedures, including Equality and Diversity and Health and Safety. b) Respect confidentiality: all confidential information should be kept in confidence and not released to unauthorised persons. c) Undertake appropriate training and development as required. d) Participate in Edge Hill s Performance Review and Development Scheme. e) Adhere to Edge Hill University s environmental policy and guidelines and undertake tasks in a sustainable manner. f) Demonstrate excellent Customer Care in dealing with all customers. Salary: Grade 4, Points ,400-22,249 per annum Hours: hours per week It is expected that the postholder will work flexibly according to the on-going demands of the job and the responsibilities at this level. Candidates should note that shortlisting will be based upon information provided on the application form with regard to the applicant s ability to meet the criteria outlined on the Person Specification sheet enclosed.

5 PERSON SPECIFICATION Pensions Administrator EHA Applicants should provide evidence of their ability to meet the following criteria: Qualifications Essential Desirable *Method of assessment (I/A/T/P) Educated to A level or equivalent (NVQ Level 3) or equivalent * A ECDL or equivalent relevant qualification * A Relevant professional qualification * A Experience and Knowledge Experience of working in a busy pensions role/team with a working knowledge of defined benefit schemes An understanding of the public sector pension scheme rules and of statutory legislation relating to occupational pension schemes including an awareness of the consequences of not adhering to legislation Demonstrate an understanding of the boundaries and importance of professional confidentiality and data protection Experience of data manipulation in excel and/or management reporting from a database An understanding of the operations of the HE sector and working in a HE environment / T / T Abilities/Skills Excellent organisational and prioritising skills demonstrating the ability to adapt to changing needs and responding flexibly Competent and adaptable in utilising technology to maximise service impact

6 Essential Desirable *Method of assessment (I/A/T/P) Proven excellent customer service skills Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to produce high quality, accurate and timely documents, reports and communications Excellent numerical and analytical skills including complex calculations The ability to build and maintain highly effective working relationships with customers and colleagues Other Pro-active, self-motivated, and forward thinking with the ability to use own initiative Making a positive and effective contribution to the team Understanding of and commitment to the University culture and values A naturally positive and solution focused attitude towards resolving everyday and variable challenges in a customer-focussed environment Ability to use skills, expertise, personal initiative & judgement to deal effectively with non-routine matters