Head of Pensions

PS Connect - Human Resources

Part time or full time options, Exeter or Cornwall hybrid, (remote in the UK can be considered)

This permanent role is an exciting opportunity to join the newly established PS Connect Shared Service Centre that is transforming the way the University’s Professional Services deliver core service. The Shared Service Centre provides a user-focused innovative service to staff, that uses data and new technology alongside highly skilled staff with a strong understanding of user experience and journeys to underpin continual improvement.  

This role offers the opportunity for hybrid working (although remote could be considered) and we are very keen to hear from anyone interested in part time hours too.

The Head of Pensions reports to the Assistant Director (HR), leading the administration of the University pension schemes and working closely with the Payroll Manager to lead the Pay and Pensions function. Working closely with other HR and PS Connect teams, you will ensure the pensions processes are maintained and developed, monitoring the team’s performance and overseeing key projects. You will be in direct contact with members of the pension schemes, providing the expert knowledge to support their pensions journey, as well as working with third party scheme administrators and legal advisors. Duties of this role will include:

• Overseeing the administration of pensions including processing monthly changes and reconciliations, supervising benefits and pension schemes and handling the submission of returns to HMRC and other third parties as required
• Dealing with pension queries for employed staff and contractors, covering the University’s four different pension arrangements that include Defined Benefit, Defined Contribution and Hybrid schemes
• Overseeing the monthly in-house payroll service (the Payroll Manager is responsible for this and would be the deputy to this role)
• Monitoring compliance and providing support to internal and external audit processes
• Contributing to the review, promotion and development of a suite of payroll benefits which support our Employee Value Proposition.
• Establishing strong relationships with Pension providers, and HMRC and other external processors, and internal customers and colleagues
• Developing the team’s service and capability and promoting a culture of continuous improvement

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a successful Higher Education institution with a forward looking strategy, drawing on your experience and technical knowledge of pension provision to deliver an expert service. We are looking for someone with substantial experience of pensions management, who wants to lead on pensions at the University and work closely with the Payroll Manager to oversee the Payroll function too. You will be proficient in relevant software and systems and CIPP membership would be desirable.

Further Information

For a confidential and informal conversation please contact Hannah Crowe, Assistant Director HR (PS Connect) in the first instance at [email protected]

The University of Exeter

We are a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities and in the top 200 universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 and QS World University Ranking 2024).  We combine world-class teaching with world-class research, achieving a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework Award 2023, underpinned by Gold ratings for Student Experience and Student Outcomes.

Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment

We are committed to ensuring reasonable adjustments are available for interviews and workplaces.

Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented within our working community. 

With over 30,000 students and 7,000 staff from 150 different countries we offer a diverse and engaging environment where our diversity is celebrated and valued as a major strength. We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where all members of our community are supported to thrive; where diverse voices are heard through our engagement with evidence-based charter frameworks for gender (Athena SWAN and Project Juno for Physics), race equality (Race Equality Charter Mark), LGBTQ+ inclusion (Stonewall Diversity Champion) and as a Disability Confident employer.

We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and welcome applications from service people.

Benefits

We offer some fantastic benefits including:

• 41 days leave per year
• options for flexible working
• numerous discounts at leading retailers
• onsite gyms on all of our campus’ and a cycle to work scheme
• sector leading policies around maternity, adoption and shared parental leave (up to 26 weeks full pay), paternity leave (up to 6 weeks full pay) and a Fertility Treatment Policy
• stunning campus environments in Exeter and Cornwall, in the beautiful South West of England