Pension Technician - #2168213

PENSION TECHNICIAN

Role: Pension Technician – Interim

Rate: Competitive (subject to experience & interview competencies)

Type: Contract (via umbrella payroll company – Inside IR35)

Location: Bristol, BS1

Hours: 35 hours a week (full-time), Monday to Friday

Hartley Pensions is looking for a highly skilled and experienced Pension Technician to play a key role in an ongoing SIPP remediation project.

As our Pension Technician, you will research, analyse and diligently assess technical SIPP administration queries across all books of business and key administrative functions. This will involve detailed understanding of issues and leading on understanding and addressing the issues identified. In doing so, you will ensure the successful delivery of a high-quality service to our members during an important transitional phase for the business.

Who are Hartley Pensions?

Hartley Pensions is a SIPP and SSAS pensions operator based in central Bristol. Since July 2022, the company has been in a trading administration. Under the administration of UHY Hacker Young, Hartley Pensions continues to operate an essential service for clients whilst preparing to transfer members to new UK-based operators and wind down the business.

Role

As Hartley’s Pension Technician, you will deliver critical remediation work. As well as acting as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) and trusted adviser on SIPP queries across the business. As a technical specialist, your duties will cover (but are not limited to) the following:

• With an already existing understanding of the full SIPP administration lifecycle, you will work on remediation projects, overseeing historic issues and lead on the rectification of these. You’ll work with various functions to use your expertise of SIPP regulatory expectations, including HMRC, TPR, DWP & FCA, to address the issues and ensure these are embedded into BAU where applicable.

• As a technical specialist, you will be the immediate point of escalation on devolved queries from colleagues. This will involve managing caseloads of your own work whilst being on hand to support the various teams when required. Furthermore, you will be responsible for the final sign off on caseloads. You will therefore be diligent in your assessments of both your own workload as well as that of individual members.

• Being conscious of deadlines and business priority needs and oversee their timely and effective completion. Where necessary, you may be asked to structure training and development plans, providing constructive pathways to individual members to facilitate professional growth in their role. It is therefore vital that you can foster a supportive and positive culture for your department and be a welcoming source of guidance.

• Perform detailed due diligence and gap analysis and remediation plans in line with the relevant regulatory guidelines. Where necessary, report to senior management on compliance matters.

• As a Pensions Technician, you will additionally be responsible for reporting management information (MI) the Board.

About You

It is essential that you can handle voluminous, complex and diverse workloads.

• Prior experience in complex SIPP administration is mandatory and should be reflected on your CV. This is not an entry-level position and whilst we provide training and upskilling to staff, you are fully expected to hit the ground running.

• You must have demonstrable experience in a SIPP and/or SSAS administrator role. You will be a specialist who will be depended upon by colleagues of varying knowledge and experience across the business. Therefore, you must be emotionally perceptive of individual ability and provide catered guidance to each member accordingly.

• Strong understanding of the structure of pensions schemes and the underlying assets owned.

• Experience of HMRC pensions online, and reporting is ideal.

• Have a decent level of knowledge around up-to-date pension laws and tax regulations.

• You will be conscious of and have demonstrable experience with GDPR regulations and ensuring the application of security protocols, ensuring the privacy and appropriate handling of sensitive client data is always upheld.

• A competent standard of literacy is also critical. You will be dealing with complex legal documents, tax regulations and direct client communication. Therefore, your ability to read, interpret and write in a clear and professional manner is necessary for this position. A minimum Grade C/4 or above in both GCSE English Literature and English Language (or an international equivalent) is required.

• You must have a decent level of communication skills. It is highly important that as a representative of the firm, you can effectively communicate technical pension information into lay terms to clients, members of your team and all relevant stakeholders. Your ability to communicate must crucially concern the ability to cater your tone to one of empathy and assurance.

• You must have experience and competency utilising bespoke SIPP/SSAS administration platforms. It is desirable that you have prior experience with Delta Platinum Pro and SIPP Pro. Further, you must have a competent ability to use core Microsoft tools such as Word and Microsoft Excel.

Qualifications

Although experience is more valued for this position, we do favour applicants who hold the following qualifications:

• Certificate in Pensions Administration (CPA)
• Retirement Provision Certificate (RPC)
• Advanced Diploma in Retirement Provision (ADRP)
• Level 4 Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning
• Award in Financial Administration (RQF Level 3)

In addition to holding a relevant pensions qualification, it is preferred that candidates hold a degree with a minimum of a 2-1 or above (in any subject).

What we offer

• A highly competitive rate: We pay within the top 10% of employers in the industry.
• Meaningful impact: A rare opportunity to play a leading part in assisting a business through a crucial transitional period.
• Hybrid working: We allow hybrid options (up to 2 days from home a week) after successful completion of training period and where business needs permit.

Recruitment Process

Hartley Pensions follow a two-stage recruitment process.

1. A 30-minute screening call.
2. A 90-minute interview with competency-based questions.

At Hartley pensions diversity is important to us. Growing, maintaining and promoting a diverse team is a top priority for us. We actively encourage individuals from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to apply. Join us in creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to thrive.

Website

To find out more about Hartley Pensions, please visit:

https://www.uhy-uk.com/hartley-pensions-limited-administration

*** Please note, we have been in a trading administration since July 2022. This means that we cannot provide sponsorship to applicants at this time.