Pensions Governance Officer

Job Introduction

Job Title: Pensions Governance Officer
Starting Salary: £34,434 progressing to £37,280 per annum (pro rata for part time)
Hours: 37 - Flexible working requests will be considered
Location: Stevenage - Hybrid
Contract Type: Permanent
Directorate: Resources

Hertfordshire Pension Fund is responsible for the governance and investments of the Hertfordshire Local Government Pension Scheme which consists of more than 120k scheme members across 500+ employers with assets of approximately £6.5 billion.

We are seeking a Pensions Governance Officer to join an evolving Pensions Team with a vision to provide an efficient, high quality and cost-effective service that meets the needs of our scheme employers and members.

The successful candidate will report to the Governance Manager, within a small team of 5.

• Governance and Compliance:
  Maintain governance initiatives to ensure compliance with relevant legislative and regulatory requirements, such as the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) and Fire Pensions Scheme (FPS) regulations, the Pensions Regulator's General Code of Practice, and data protection laws.
• Stakeholder Engagement:
  Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including the Fund's third-party pensions administrator, employers, payroll providers. Support current and prospective employers in understanding and fulfilling their responsibilities within the pension scheme. Work closely with the Fund's third-party pensions administrators and the wider Pensions Team to ensure referrals for decisions and appeals are processed effectively.
• Training and Support:
  Assist in identifying the training needs of Pensions Committee and the Pension Boards, delivering development opportunities to enhance their knowledge and effectiveness in fulfilling their regulatory roles. This includes producing informative materials and facilitating training sessions.
• Communications:
  Assist with the implementation of communication plans that align with the Fund's goals, including strategies for stakeholder engagement.
• Content Development:
  Create high-quality written and visual content for various channels, such as newsletters and the Fund website, ensuring consistent messaging and style.
• Event Support:
  Assist in planning and executing events, including conferences, forums, and stakeholder meetings.

• Compliance:
  Assist with ensuring the pension funds operate within established legal and regulatory frameworks, maintaining high standards of governance, compliance, and risk management.
• Stakeholder Engagement:
  Enhancing engagement with various internal and external stakeholders through effective communication strategies.
• Policy and Training:
  Assist in the development and updating of policies and training plans to ensure all stakeholders are well-informed and compliant with current regulations.
• Project Success:
  Supporting the delivery of strategic business plans.

• Pension Regulations and Governance:
  Some understanding of pension regulations and governance frameworks.
• Analytical
  
  Skills:
  
  Strong analytical skills with the ability to assess complex information.
• Communication
  
  Skills:
  
  Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, both written and verbal, to effectively engage with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Professional Development:
  Commitment to continuous professional development, staying abreast of changes in pension legislation and governance best practices.

• Pension Regulations:
  Some experience of the LGPS and FPS.
• Content Creation:
  Ability to create high-quality written and visual content for various communication channels.
• Experience of developing and implementing governance policies and procedures
• Event Planning:
  Experience in planning and executing events, including conferences, forums, and stakeholder meetings.

We welcome applications from candidates who currently reside in the UK with established proof of right to work documentation. We are not able to offer sponsorship at this time for this role.

English Fluency:
The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.