Employer Funding And Risk Lead

Employer Funding And Risk Lead 

Job Purpose

This role will have responsibility for proactively managing the risks associated with the Fund’s employers, and escalating areas for concern to the Head of Wiltshire Pension Fund, where changing circumstances (either legislative or with the individual employers themselves) indicate a change in the risk profile for a particular employer or for the Fund overall. 

The specific risks which this role will be responsible for are:

• Contribution receipts (covered under point b below) – contributions received from employers are around £125m per year.  Timely receipt of contributions is essential to the operational running of the Fund.  Pension contributions are a material financial part of employees’ remuneration, and ensuring the correct rates are paid is vital for the financial health of the employers.
• Employer solvency (covered under point c below) – even small employers can have a material financial impact on the Fund in the event of solvency problems.  In the current environment with rising interest rates and soaring energy bills, this risk will need to be closely monitored.

The role will also promote and facilitate effective relationships and working arrangements between Wiltshire Pension Fund and its 170+ employers, managing the process of major employer changes such as new admissions, reorganisations and cessations.  It will also act as expert adviser to the Fund and Scheme employers on all pension related employer issues. 

Person Specification

Essential

• A degree or relevant professional qualification such as (IPPM, PMI,CII) or related discipline (or ability to demonstrate skills at the required level)  
• Three years post qualification pension experience, including decision making and management responsibilities.
• Previous experience in a role supporting client relationships
• Experience of working in a complex environment with conflicting priorities and financial issues
• A proven record of delivering tangible results in a complex environment
• Excellent knowledge of defined benefit pension scheme management and the major factors and issues involved in pension service delivery such as the administrative, operational and financial elements.
• An appreciation of the issues affecting service delivery within local authorities
• Motivates colleagues to work together effectively and support change.
• Computer literate with at least intermediate word-processing skills and advanced spreadsheet skills
• Excellent communication skills, written and oral
• Well-developed business presentation skills to a range of different audiences
• Excellent inter-personal skills
• Excellent organizational skills
• Ability to work under pressure to tight deadlines and manage competing priorities
• Evidence of negotiation and influencing skills
• An appropriate level of assertiveness balanced by a diplomatic and sensitive approach
• Self-reliant and self-motivated, with drive and enthusiasm for change and challenge
• A creative and pro-active approach
• A confident and credible manner
• A natural team player who will complement the existing team

Desirable

• An understanding of the principles of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
• Fully conversant with Microsoft Office
• Familiarity with database applications

Location: Trowbridge, BA14 8JN