Pensions Team Leader

Job Description

London Borough of Harrow is seeking an experienced and knowledgeable Pensions Team Leader to join our HR & Organisational Development team within the Resources and Innovation Directorate. This is a key leadership role responsible for the delivery of a high-quality pension administration service across the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) and NHS Pension Scheme (NHSPS). As the Council’s lead pensions specialist, you will provide expert technical advice, ensure compliance with complex pension legislation and play a pivotal role in delivering an effective service to pensioners, active members, deferred members and scheme employers.

Working closely with the Head of Payroll & Pensions, you will lead and develop a high-performing pensions team, ensuring workloads are effectively managed and service standards consistently achieved. The role involves overseeing complex pension calculations, interpreting legislative changes, managing reconciliation processes and ensuring the accurate administration of all pension-related transactions. You will be responsible for driving continuous improvement, implementing regulatory changes and maintaining strong relationships with internal stakeholders, employers, auditors and external bodies. In addition, you will provide expert guidance on complex enquiries, complaints, disputes and pension policy matters.

This is an excellent opportunity for a pensions professional who is passionate about leadership, service excellence and continuous improvement. You will contribute to strategic workforce objectives, support the development of pension policies and processes, and help shape the future of pension administration at Harrow. Joining a collaborative and forward-thinking organisation, you will play an important role in delivering outstanding services.

The Successful candidate will have:-

• Extensive knowledge of Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) legislation, including the Finance Act 2004 and relevant LGPS regulations.
• A minimum of five years’ experience within an LGPS administration environment.
• Significant supervisory or management experience within public or private sector pension administration.
• Strong technical expertise in pension calculations, pension regulations and statutory requirements.
• Experience leading, coaching and developing high-performing teams to achieve service objectives.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to resolve complex and sensitive pension cases.
• Experience managing workloads and prioritising competing deadlines within a performance-driven environment.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with members, employers, senior managers and external organisations.
• Experience handling complex complaints, disputes and pension-related enquiries, including knowledge of the Internal Disputes Resolution Process.
• A strong understanding of governance, compliance, audit requirements and pension fund reconciliation processes.
• The ability to interpret legislation, implement regulatory changes and develop service improvements.
• Strong numerical skills with the ability to undertake and review complex calculations accurately.
• Experience using pension administration systems and producing accurate management information and reports.
• An understanding of the diverse nature of Harrow’s communities and a commitment to equality, inclusion and excellent customer service.
• Educated to degree level or equivalent, or able to demonstrate substantial relevant professional experience.
• Membership of, studying towards, or willingness to work towards a relevant professional qualification such as the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP), or equivalent, is desirable.

For more information, please refer to the Role Profile/ Selection Criteria

About us

Harrow Council is the 12th largest London borough and one of the most culturally diverse local authorities in the UK, making it a great place to live, work and visit with a range of cultures, religions and opinions that come together to produce high achieving schools and a close and friendly community. Located 10 miles from the city centre and just 13 minutes to Euston from Harrow & Wealdstone station there are great transport links via the Metropolitan Line, Watford DC Line and national rail service. It is easily accessible to the M1, M25 and A406.

Other information

Support for candidates visit:Harrow.gov.uk Our behavioural indicators roles below G11 and above G11 Here at Harrow Council, the vision is one of 'Working together to make a difference for Harrow' Please click here to view Harrow Council's benefits

Important Note

To deliver our commitment to equality of opportunity in service provision, all staff are expected to promote equality in the workplace and in the services the Council delivers. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs at the London Borough of Harrow. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender, reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy, or maternity unless a Genuine Occupational Qualification applies. As such, we value diversity and welcome applications from all backgrounds. For further information, please read our equality statement.

As a disability-confident employer, we are committed to making our recruitment practices barrier-free and accessible to everyone. This includes reasonably adjusting the recruitment process for those with disabilities or long-term health conditions. For further information, please contact us at resourcing@harrow.gov.uk

London Borough of Harrow is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Harrow operates stringent, safer recruitment procedures.

Due to the high number of applications received for some posts, we may close vacancies before the stated closing date if sufficient applications are received. Therefore, please apply as soon as possible.

Harrow redeployees will be given priority consideration.

The personal information we have collected from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. If any of these are detected you could be refused certain services or employment. Your personal information will also be used to verify your identity. Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas, any your data protection rights, can be found by visiting www.cifas.org.uk/fpn