Pensions Manager - Governance and Compliance PO8
Department Finance and Governance
Division Treasury and Pensions
About Waltham Forest Council
Waltham Forest is a vibrant, open borough rich in culture and diversity, our residents and businesses recognise Waltham Forest as the best place to live and work in London.
We are a pioneering borough supported by a dynamic workforce. Recent accolades include being London’s first Borough of Culture in 2019, Council of the Year 2019 and Public Finance’s Finance Team of the Year 2020. But we don’t stop there, we have an extensive regeneration programme across the borough; our capital programme is over £500m. We are renewing the Town Hall campus neighbourhood, investing in affordable homes, and developing our ambitious 15-minute city plans. All this ambition needs to be underpinned by a strong, agile finance team and Waltham Forest will be a great place to develop your skills and improve the lives of so many.
Our Public Service Strategy creates a new, all-encompassing definition of public service. It focuses on the most pressing challenges we face, to allow us to quickly respond to the issues Covid-19 has brought to the borough. This includes new responsibilities to embrace to keep our residents safe but also bold new actions to support our residents while remaining focussed on a long-term positive future for Waltham Forest. It recognises everyone’s role in public service and alters the role of the council from provider to partner.
The London Borough of Waltham Forest administers the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) on behalf of 25,000 plus members and over 100 employing bodies including schools. The pension benefits administration for the pension fund is carried out by the Pension Shared Services hosted by London Borough of Wandsworth and including Camden, Merton, Richmond, Wandsworth and Waltham Forest. It has assets of £900m plus, managed by 7 external fund managers and the London CIV (the investment pool for London).
The Council also manages Loan balances of £381m and deposits of £74m.
About the role
We have an exciting opportunity for a Pensions Manager to join our busy treasury and pensions team located at Waltham Forest Town Hall Campus. Due to a recent re-structure this is a newly created role in the Treasury & Pensions Team to develop best practice and would suit a person with the innovation to develop new practices and procedures.
The successful applicant will need to:
To lead, plan, develop and deliver an expert pensions service within the relevant service area. To support the development, management and delivery of Council services. Manage staff and outsourced service providers responsible for service delivery / support within the pension fund. To ensure the Council maximises service outcomes in relation to cost.
Servicing the LBWF Pensions Committee and Local Pensions Board by coordinating the provision of reports, agendas, providing advice and information to members on investment, financial and administration matters, to enable high quality decision making.
Identifying legislative requirements and best practice for LGPS funds and ensure these are followed, and that the fund pro-actively engages with and champions change within the sector.
Monitoring, liaising with and reviewing the performance of service suppliers e.g. actuary, custodian, fund managers, investment consultant, pension administrator and independent advisor.
Co-ordinating procurement exercises when a new supplier to the Fund is required, liaising with the Council’s procurement department to ensure the process runs smoothly. This includes tasks/procurements relating to the National LGPS Frameworks
Ensuring the delivery of a high quality service to scheme members, employers and other stakeholders, including balancing their various needs and requirements appropriately and professionally, as at times these will be conflicting.
To ensure the publication/submission of all statutory documents/returns for the pension fund.
To advise on the structure, terms of reference and composition of the Pensions Committee and Board, any other Council governance structures associated with pensions, treasury and statutory financial reporting.
Developing and maintaining the Fund’s risk log, liaising with Committee, Board and other officers as appropriate in relation to risks. Ensure Board, Committee and officers understand their responsibilities in avoiding and mitigating risk.
Working with the scheme actuary in the triennial actuarial valuation of the Pension Fund. Responsible for project managing all other work commissioned from the actuary, including ad hoc pieces for the Council; quotations and reports for other scheme employers and all provision of information in respect of outsourcing arrangements, and ensuring that all deliverables happen in a timely manner.
Co-ordinate responses to media, FOI and subject access requests, and other stakeholders request in accordance with council procedures.
About you
Deep and detailed knowledge of principles and practices of local government and defined benefit pension schemes, and the governance and compliance requirements.
Substantial experience of working at a senior management position in pensions or finance with evidence of having advised members and senior officers on pensions matters
Experience of operating in a complex, multidisciplinary organisation; programmes and projects; financial management; and people management.
Degree level or equivalent qualification plus relevant experience.
Membership of appropriate professional body by examination e.g. CCAB or pensions/investments qualifications, or substantial relevant experience.
Evidence of on-going CPD
Along with other experience as detailed in the Job description.
What we offer
• 28 days annual leave, plus public and bank holidays
• Work-life balance options may include flexitime, job share, home working, part-time
• Generous Local Government Pension Scheme
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• Excellent training and development opportunities
• Employee well- being training programs
How to apply
Read through job description and person specification and complete the online application form. If you would like any further information about the role before applying, please contact:
Debbie Drew
Head of Treasury and Pensions
debbie.drew01@walthamforest.gov.uk
Equal Opportunities
Waltham Forest is a diverse borough where diversity is valued and is integral to both, service delivery and employment of its staff. The Council is proud of its rich mix of communities and as the largest employer in the area, it works hard to respond to the changing needs of its population. We use our statutory duties on race, gender and disability equality and best practice in respect of age, faith and sexual orientation to ensure equality of opportunity in the workplace. The Council is committed to meeting its 4 equality objectives: - Promoting equality of opportunity - Opposing all forms of discrimination, intolerance and disadvantage - Ensuring our workforce reflects the diverse communities of Waltham Forest at all levels. - Providing fair, appropriate, accessible and excellent Services to all. Respecting Diversity is a core Council value. To support the above and reduce the risk of bias in its recruitment activities, the council is operating an anonymous shortlisting process, which hides personal information that can identify individuals until their application has been considered for shortlisting. The council also operates a scheme whereby, for jobs graded up to and including scale SO2, internal candidates are considered first. This includes those candidates who self-identify as having a disability for the purposes of the Disability Confident scheme. For more information, please refer to our recruitment and selection policy
How to apply
Application Information
Application Information The councils preference is for on-line application forms. However if you have a disability and are unable to complete an on-line application, please email recruitment@walthamforest.gov.uk so we can arrange an alternative.
For more information on how to complete your application form, follow this link: Applying for a job at Waltham Forest Council
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