Pensions Service Manager

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Job Details

Reporting to the Head of Finance, the Pensions Service Manager will lead and manage the Fife Pension Fund to ensure consistent high quality service, excellent performance and raised standards in key pension fund areas.

Initially leading a team of around 15 staff, you will shape, lead and drive governance for the Fife Pension Fund. Ensuring that the Administration Authority delivers best practice as well as meeting statutory obligations for Pensions Administration, Investments, Accounting, Risk Management and Governance . You will support the Pensions Committee and the Pensions Board and ensure excellent levels of service to members and a wide range of employers.

Key areas of work include:

• Shaping, leading and driving delivery of Fife Pension Fund’s governance, developing strategies, action plans and monitoring and reporting arrangements.
• Managing and controlling the risk management framework for the Pension Fund including taking the lead on risk and horizon scanning and liaising with internal audit to develop the annual audit programme.
• Supporting the Head of Finance with Pension Fund Investments including review of investment strategy and strategic asset allocation.
• Leading and managing work programmes and providing policy advice for the Pensions Committee, Pensions Board and the Pensions Governance Group.
• Leading valuation activity for employers and liaising with the Fund Actuary and employers on funding strategy.
• Providing oversight and compliance for pension activities including emerging areas of best practice such as disclosure regulations, data protection and cyber security.
• Leading, planning and delivering procurement exercises and ensuring effective contract management.
• Leading the Pensions Administration team, raising the profile of the service to Fund members and employers and providing professional leadership and guidance to the team.
• Setting and managing the budget for the Pension Fund, delivering Pension Fund Accounts and taking the lead in external audit activity.

This is a permanent, full time position. The grade is CO29, £89,456 per annum.

This post is designated as politically restricted within the terms of Section 2 of the Local Government & Housing Act 1989. Further guidance is available here https://www.fife.gov.uk/kb/docs/articles/about-your-council2/politicians-and-committees/committees/governance-documentation.

Key Documents:

Plan For Fife - Plan-for-Fife-2017-2027.pdf

Audit Scotland Best Value Assurance Report 2018 - Best Value Assurance Report: Fife Council | Audit Scotland (audit-scotland.gov.uk)

Fife Council Budget Brief 2023 - 2024 - FC-Budget-Brief-2023-24.pdf (fife.gov.uk)

Pensions Committee - Pensions Committee | Fife Council

Fife Council Elected Members and Committees - Politicians and committees | Fife Council

Selection Process: Those shortlisted will be invited to complete online Executive and Psychometric testing and will be invited for panel interview with the Head of Finance, along with another Head of Service, and a representative of the HR Service (TBC). Delivery of a presentation to that panel will be required.

We will require educational certificates and evidence of right to work in the UK to be presented at the Officer interview.

Key Terms and Conditions for Chief Officers: An attractive package of terms and conditions includes four-weekly pay periods, access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, 8 public holidays each leave year and 25 days personal holiday each year, increasing to 30 days personal holiday after 5 years’ continuous local government service.

The Person

You must have experience of working at a senior level within a pensions, local government, regulatory or financial environment. You will have a proven ability to set and implement successful strategies and a sound knowledge of Local Government Pension Scheme regulations and current issues within the regulatory environment. You must have a Degree in a related subject and a relevant professional qualification is desirable.

In addition, you must be able to demonstrate:

• The ability to think and act strategically, bringing a clear sense of shared purpose, leadership, creativity and innovation.
• The ability to manage a broad portfolio of projects and drive continuous improvement in the Pension Fund Service.
• A strong communicator with the ability to analyse data, interpret complex legislation and present these to a range of stakeholders with various levels of understanding.
• The ability to work proactively and collaboratively across Services, partners and employers, building effective working relationships.
• The ability to exercise sound professional judgement, assess risks, identify opportunities, influence, persuade and secure the confidence of senior stakeholders, and act to ensure the sound governance of the Administration Authority.
• An understanding and appreciation of the role of Elected Members in local government decision-making and scrutiny.

You can find more information on the essential and desirable skills in the Role Profile.

We are currently shaping our future workstyles however, in light of current advice, we are introducing blended home/office working that will include office access days each week with homeworking for the remainder of your working time.

For further information please contact: Elaine Muir - elaine.muir@fife.gov.uk