Funding and Risk Lead

Employer Funding and Risk Lead

Location: Wiltshire
Salary: 57,665 per annum
Contract: Permanent

Are you an experienced pensions, funding or risk professional looking to take the lead in managing employer funding and financial risk within one of the UK's largest Local Government Pension Schemes?

We are seeking an Employer Funding and Risk Lead to join a well-established Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), where you will play a pivotal role in protecting the long-term sustainability of a pension fund managing almost 4 billion in assets and supporting more than 170 participating employers.

Working closely with employers, actuaries and senior stakeholders, you will provide expert advice on employer funding, covenant and pension risk, helping organisations navigate complex legislative, financial and organisational change while ensuring compliance with LGPS regulations and best practice.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead on employer admissions, cessations, mergers, reorganisations and TUPE-related pension matters.
• Manage employer funding, covenant and solvency risks across the Pension Fund.
• Provide specialist advice to employers on funding, actuarial and pension risk matters.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with employers, actuaries and key stakeholders.
• Monitor employer contributions and funding arrangements, ensuring compliance with Fund policies.
• Support the triennial actuarial valuation process and employer contribution negotiations.
• Develop and maintain employer funding and risk policies in line with legislation and best practice.
• Analyse employer financial strength and identify emerging risks to the Fund.
• Maintain and develop employer funding data and reporting to support actuarial valuations.
• Deliver presentations, guidance and training to employers on pension-related matters.
• Supervise the Employer Engagement and Training Officer and support continuous service improvement.
• Lead complex projects and contribute to the ongoing development of the Pension Fund.

About You

You will have:

• A degree, professional qualification or equivalent relevant experience.
• At least three years' post-qualification experience within pensions, actuarial, funding or financial risk.
• Excellent knowledge of defined benefit pension schemes and employer funding.
• Experience managing complex stakeholder relationships and advising senior leaders.
• Strong analytical, negotiation and problem-solving skills.
• Experience working within a complex financial or regulatory environment.
• Excellent communication, presentation and influencing skills.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel and strong IT skills.
• The ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality outcomes.
• A proactive, collaborative approach with excellent organisational skills.

Desirable

• Knowledge of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
• Experience of employer covenant assessment or actuarial liaison.
• Familiarity with pension administration or database systems.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a high-performing pension fund and play a key role in safeguarding the retirement benefits of thousands of members while helping shape employer funding strategy and risk management for the future. If you're ready to make a real impact, we'd love to hear from you.