Technical Pensions Analyst

Our administrative approach is scheme-based; one team is responsible for every aspect of each client's service, enabling us to build the best possible relationships and provide the clarity of focus each scheme deserves. Ultimately, pension schemes are there for their members; we place just as much emphasis on delivering excellent customer service as we do on technical proficiency and quality control. This role is within Implementation Services (IST). IST is comprised of specialist teams whose members support the XPS Administration business in a variety of areas. The teams provide technical, IT and specialist expertise to XPS Administration that underpins the quality solutions we provide to our administration clients. The teams are located across the XPS Administration national offices. The key areas in which IST provide support are:

• Transition activity
• Calculation Support
• Business Interface with IT Services
• Management Reporting, Transition Activity:
• As part of transition activity, we will be required to install both Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution schemes onto our administration system, Aurora.
• Within a transition project the analyst is responsible for technical contributions to the successful completion of the project for the administration take on.
• The analyst will take ownership for the completion of all installation processes that are derived from the administration teams' requirements. This work will involve:
• Attendance at project meetings
• Consultation on technical processes and outcomes
• The setup and maintenance of all technical documents relevant to support correct mapping of the data, and the setup automation and its testing
• Performance of technical work items including but not limited to: analysis of administration data sets, creation of calculation specification and test pack for system automation, regression and User Acceptance Testing
• Management of the technical installation delivery schedule

Calculation Support:

• In addition to transition activity, the analyst will also be required to support our administration teams work for existing clients, which is managed by an internal helpdesk and ticketing systems. This will include but is not limited to:
• New calculation automation
• Amendments to existing calculation automation
• Supporting Administration Projects Teams (APT) with project work
• As part of this work the analyst will need to work closely with the administration team, client relationship mangers, APT and any third parties.

Internal Process:

• The analyst will be asked to participate in the continuous improvement, review and development of team processes. This is not only in recognition of the changing marketplace, but that XPS values promote continual development of our processes to provide the best outcome for our clients.
• The analyst will also be expected to contribute within the wider Implementation Services to technical matters and to support knowledge transfers and mentorship across the teams
• 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., Any employment offer made will be conditional upon you satisfying DBS Disclosure checks, Employment or educational references, Satisfactory credit checks and eligibility to work in the UK before an offer can be made. XPS Group is not able to provide sponsorship to employees.

• Proven experience of working within an administration team as a user, or a system support position in the pensions industry is required, covering but not limited to a diverse range of pension arrangements: DB/DC/CARE/Public Sector/Master Trust
• IT proficient in MS Office, with an emphasis on using Excel.
• Experience of working with common pension administration systems and third-party IT suppliers e.g. PenScope, Compendia, ProFund.
• Proficient knowledge in benefit structures and calculation requirements for DB, DC and Hybrid pension schemes
• Excellent organisational and planning skills.
• Able to work as part of a multi-disciplined team, influencing decisions where priorities and interests are often conflicting.
• Ability to multi-task and respond to changing priorities.
• Able to take ownership and responsibility for own work, including contributing actively.
• Flexible approach to work pressures.
• Good problem-solving skills and ability to think laterally.
• A high degree of accuracy and attention to detail in documentation.
• Strong belief in adhering to deadlines and quality service.
• Able to recognise the need for a customer focused approach to deliveries both in terms of quality and exceeding customer expectations.

Desirable:

• Understanding of programming languages such as SQL and/or C# coding language
• Candidates with strong A-Level qualifications (or equivalent qualifications)
• Strong Stakeholder management skills.
• Strong written, verbal and presentation skills to all levels.
• Able to articulate complex messages with clarity and ease to all audiences and flex style as required.
• Ability to create and manage documentation.
• Effective interpersonal skills, ability to communicate and build long-term working relationships at all levels, both internal and external of the organisation.
• Big Picture Thinking.
• Driving Change & Improvement and adaptable, responding well to feedback and the need for change.

XPS Pensions Group is no ordinary company. We've earned numerous awards and accolades, making us an industry leader in Pensions Consultancy. As the largest pure pensions consultancy in the UK, we are a team of approximately 2000 employees spread across 15 locations nationwide. Listed on the London Stock Exchange Main Market, we pride ourselves on our ability to think and act differently, offering expert advice to over 1600 pension schemes and administering pensions for over 1,000,000 members. About the Team: 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. Our range of pensions administration services include:

• Scheme administration
• Communication
• Scam identification
• Payroll services
• Pension scheme accounting
• De-risking projects
• Technical consultancy, Enjoy a competitive salary, annual discretionary bonus, and 25 days' holiday with buy/sell flexibility. Benefits include pension matching, healthcare plans, life assurance, and retailer discounts. We support our team with a flexible benefits scheme, employee assistance, and digital GP service. Participating in volunteering events is encouraged with paid volunteer days available. Referral bonuses are offered for introducing suitable candidates to XPS., We want our people to know they matter so we offer a range of perks and benefits:
• Holiday entitlement
• Pension
• Life assurance
• Discretionary bonus scheme
• SAYE scheme
• Season ticket loans
• Sight tests
• Employee assistance programme
• Opportunities for hybrid working
• Generous annual flex allowance
• My XPS, My Benefits - flexible benefits you choose to suit you personally, including the option to buy additional holiday, bikes for work, private health care, travel insurance and dental insurance
• XPS Rewards - designed to offer you access to a wide range of discounts, saving you money on your shopping

Employee networks

Our seven Employee networks - XPS Women's Network, XPS LGBTQ+ Network, XPS Menopause Network, XPS Disability Network XPS Multicultural Network, Planet network and Mental health allies network - play an important role in our culture.

Some of them lead our inclusion and diversity programme of events, campaigns and workshops, such as celebrating International Women's and Men's Days, Pride Month and Black History Month, our Be Yourself at Work campaign and our workshops on LGBTQ+ Allyship, the importance of self-promotion for women's careers, menopause awareness and confidence when speaking up.

We are a forward-looking, ambitious business. We are a leading independent pensions consulting and administration services firm and want to be the best provider of services to the UK pensions market. XPS combines expertise, insight and technology to address the needs of over 1,500+ pension schemes and their sponsoring employers on an ongoing and project basis. We undertake pensions administration for over one million members and provide advisory services to schemes and corporate sponsors in respect of schemes of all sizes, including 81+ with assets over £1bn. Getting it right for our clients and our people In 2023 XPS was awarded Third-Party Administrator of the Year and Fiduciary Evaluator of the Year at the UK Pensions Awards. For our business culture in 2023 we were awarded Diversity and Inclusion Excellence Award at the UK Pension Awards and was also listed in The Sunday Times's Best Places to Work 2023 (Big Company) for the first time. Being a responsible business has always been important to us. Doing the right thing is at the core of our strategy and how we operate across the business. So much so, it is embedded within our corporate purpose, mission, vision and values. As well as advancing sustainability across our business, we are working with our clients, communities, suppliers and colleagues to do the right thing., XPS is a fast-moving, exciting business, with an incredible team of people achieving a wide variety of different things, in all kinds of different roles. But wherever you are and whatever you're doing, it's the way you do it that makes you XPS. This is what makes our Corporate Values so important. They're at the heart of everything we do and define our interactions with everyone, not just colleagues, but clients, suppliers and the communities and environment in which we operate. They act as our guiding light