Pensions Project Consultant - De-Risking; RST

Pensions Project Consultant - De-Risking (RST) About XPS Group

XPS Group is a prominent and growing UK consultancy and administration firm within the pensions and insurance sectors. As a FTSE 250 company with over 2000 employees, we leverage expertise alongside advanced technology to serve over 1,400 pension schemes and their sponsors. Our goal is to foster a workplace where diverse talents thrive.

Employment Type: Permanent, Full Time;
Grade: Consultant;
Hybrid
; REQ
003329.

London, England, United Kingdom

Our teams of pension administrators provide services to a wide range of trust-based company pension schemes, including defined benefit, defined contribution, career average revalued earnings, and hybrid schemes.

• GMP Rectification & Equalisation
• Buy-In/Buy-Out related De-Risking
• Data cleansing
• Ad hoc projects such as scheme closures, benefit rectifications and liability reduction exercises

• Performing the role of Scheme Lead. This involves maintaining overall responsibility for the completion of all data related items in respect of a De-Risking (Buy-In/Buy-Out) project.
• The attendance of meetings with relevant stakeholders to discuss & plan relevant tasks (internally & externally). This includes taking a leading role in these discussions to ensure any plan is effective/efficient and that guidance/advice is provided.
• The delivery of tasks in line with agreed deadlines and communication with all relevant stakeholders.
• The management of resource assigned for the completion of tasks. This includes planning, developing and providing feedback to resource within the team.
• The planning, reviewing & authorisation of tasks alongside assigned resource.

• Involvement and input into regular project management meetings. This involves acting as the main point of contact for the De-Risking (RST) Team to ensure the interests of the team are represented.
• Review and query Benefit Specifications provided for the purpose of a De-Risking project alongside scheme data.
• Extract, interpret, analyse and process data from several sources (i.e. administration systems, calculated benefits, GMPE results, etc.).
• Undertake bulk manual calculations such as CSP Calculations, Benefit Rectification & Benefit Audits.
• Set up and lead “Kick off” calls with all relevant parties to discuss the reason for the task, the process to be followed (standard or non-standard) and any expected issues that may occur along with potential resolutions.
• Monitor the overall process of the De-Risking project alongside the individual tasks, both from a scope and budget perspective. Ensuring that relevant stakeholders are contacted prior to any change in scope or to highlight additional costs at the earliest opportunity.
• Lead the planning process for tasks alongside assigned resource, review work undertaken following completion and provide authorisation that the completed task is fit/suitable for purpose.
• Provide ad-hoc/on the job training to assigned resource where required.
• Ensure all projects/tasks are completed in an auditable manner including the provision of feedback to allocated resource where processes/best practice has not been followed.
• Provide regular updates to the team manager and relevant stakeholders during scheduled meetings and on an ad-hoc basis.
• Due to the changing nature of the business, the job holder may from time to time be required to undertake other activities of a similar nature that fall within their capabilities. Occasional travel will be required.

• Client/Project Management experience from project conception to implementation.
• Thorough understanding of DB Pensions with significant manual calculation experience.
• Excellent organisational and planning skills.
• Strong Stakeholder management skills.
• Strong written, verbal and presentation skills to all levels.
• Ability to multi-task and respond to changing priorities.
• Able to take ownership and responsibility for own work.
• IT proficient in MS Office with a strong ability in Excel.
• Ability to create and manage documentation.
• Able to work as part of a multi-disciplined…