Lead Pensions Adviser

About us

The Local Government Association (LGA) is the national membership body for local authorities. We work on behalf of our member councils to support, promote and improve local government.  

We are a politically led, cross-party organisation that works on behalf of councils to ensure local government has a strong, credible voice with national government. We influence and set the political agenda on the issues that matter to councils to help them deliver local solutions to national problems.  
We also provide councils with the tools and resources to respond to challenges present and emerging, and support improvement across the sector. 

We value diversity and encourage applications from all sections of the community to this high-profile role.

About the role 

This newly created role offers an exciting opportunity to work as part of the pensions team at the LGA. The pensions team works with and on behalf of administering authorities of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) in England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. As part of the team, you will play an important role in the legislative and administrative framework of the largest funded pension scheme in the UK.

We are looking for a high performing individual with strong analytical, research and problem-solving skills. The successful candidate will provide technical guidance and support to LGPS administering authorities and employers, as well as specialist advice to Government departments on the development and implementation of pension policy changes.

You will lead on the delivery of projects, develop networks and work to maintain a positive reputation for the LGA within the sector.

We encourage flexible working at the LGA. This post is offered as a home or office based (Westminster) contract. The salary for a home-based worker ranges from £58,831 to £69,013. The salary for an office-based worker includes London Weighting and ranges from £63,015 to £73,197.

About you 

You will have an expert knowledge of the LGPS and the associated overriding legislation. You will be comfortable with interpreting and explaining complex legislation.

You must be able to lead on projects and deliver under pressure. You will also have excellent IT skills, be a proficient communicator and have a proven record of providing clear and accurate LGPS communications.  

We are looking for a highly motivated individual who is willing to challenge the status quo.

If you would like an informal chat about the role, please contact lorraine.bennett@local.gov.uk

You must have the right to work in the UK, the LGA are unfortunately unable to offer sponsorship visas. Evidence of the right to work in the UK will be requested at the interview stage. 

You must have the right to work in the UK, the LGA are unfortunately unable to offer sponsorship visas. Evidence for the right to work in the UK will be requested at the interview stage. 

To apply

If you would like to be considered for the role, please complete the online form and include a supporting statement detailing how you meet the criteria of the role before the closing date.

We are specifically assessing candidates against the following criteria:

• Expert knowledge and practical experience of the LGPS
• Experience of providing LGPS technical support and communications to pension practitioners, employers and members
• Experience in leading and managing LGPS related projects
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Experience of managing relationships and dealing effectively with internal and external customers, advising senior officers on multifaceted issues in a complex technical and political environment.

We use anonymous recruitment, which is the practice of hiding candidates’ identities. This process involves removing any identifying information from candidates’ applications which includes names. 

Closing Date:         5pm, 24 November 2024
Interview Date:      Week of 2 December 2024, interviews will be virtual

At the LGA we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Our recruitment decisions are based on fair, open competition, with appointment on merit. The LGA are proud to be awarded a “Disability Confident Leader”.  If you are require  an reasonable adjustment, which is a change to the format or conditions of the recruitment process to accommodate any disability-related needs you may have. Please contact us via Recruitment@local.gov.uk 

Our benefits

• LGA annual leave entitlement is 29 days, rising to 31 days after three years’ service and to 33 days after five years’ service, plus all UK public holidays (pro rata for fixed term and part time contracts).*
• Flexible & agile working – office-based staff are required to work in the LGA’s London office two days per week as a minimum, subject to business need and this may vary significantly between different roles and from week to week.
• Future development – face-to-face and virtual courses are scheduled in line with developmental goals
• The LGA offers 24/7 access to a free, confidential employee assistance programme managed by Health Assured. This service is also available for Dependants.
• Family friendly policies

For more of LGA’s benefits and working with us, please view our webpage https://www.local.gov.uk/benefits-and-working-lga

Our values & behaviours 

Our Values and Behaviours are there to give us an understanding of who we are as an organisation and who we want to be. They are a framework to help us understand:

• how we work with each other 
• how we work with our members and stakeholders
• our expectations for ourselves and each other 

Our values are:

Inclusive - We ensure that our work is inclusive of all voices. 

Ambitious - We are ambitious for councils and their communities and are committed to striving for excellence in all that we do to support our colleagues, our membership and the sector to deliver the best possible outcomes.

Collaborative - We bring together the expertise and skills needed, working as one team.