Pension Finance Project Lead
- Manchester
- Permanent
- Full-time
Job reference 327917
Pension Finance Project Lead
Competitive salary, 10% annual bonus potential, 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, and a company pension scheme with highly competitive contribution rates
Permanent, Full timeLocation: Fully remote with travel to Sheffield & London for meetingsYou may be eligible for a Welcome Bonus of up to £1,500*Join Our Team as a Finance Subject Matter Expert – RMPP De-Risking ProgrammeAre you an experienced finance professional with a strong background in pensions, project delivery, and stakeholder engagement? We’re looking for a dedicated and knowledgeable individual to take on a key role within the Pensions Service Centre, supporting the Royal Mail Pension Plan (RMPP) De-Risking Programme.As the Finance Subject Matter Expert (SME), you will play a pivotal part in ensuring the successful delivery of finance-related project work, supporting strategic decision-making, and guiding a team of Finance Administrators. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a high-profile programme, collaborating with internal teams and external insurers, while helping shape the future of pension finance at Royal Mail.About the role
- Act as the Finance Subject Matter Expert (SME) within PSC for the RMPP De-Risking Programme, delivering agreed finance-related project tasks and contributing to project reporting, meetings, and discussions with the insurer as required.
- Coach and mentor a team of three Finance Administrators, supporting their development and ensuring the effective delivery of assigned outputs.
- Support the Team Leader in reviewing and approving monthly financial statements, reconciliations, payments, and reports to ensure the accurate and timely reporting of financial information.
- Assist the Team Leader in planning and managing workloads effectively, in line with Royal Mail Group’s contractual obligations and service level agreements.
- Collaborate with Finance, Payroll, and Pensions Administrators to ensure the successful completion of internal and external audits.
- Ensure compliance with relevant finance and pensions processes, providing technical guidance and support to both the Finance team and the wider pensions function.
- Proven experience managing Trustee accounts through a buy-in/buy-out process, including true-ups, insurer reconciliation, and cash flow reporting. Ideally, the successful candidate will have experience engaging with insurers to advise on financial aspects of a de-risking programme on behalf of a Scheme Administrator.
- Desirable – Understanding of defined benefit schemes, including the financial requirements and Pensioner Payroll processes for schemes with insured pensions, bought-in or bought-out benefits.
- Desirable – Experience working within project teams, delivering in line with agreed project plans, contributing to project reporting and meetings, and proactively identifying, owning, and managing financial risks.
- Demonstrable experience as a professional finance practitioner, with strong knowledge of:
- Financial reporting requirements
- Internal and external audit processes
- Payroll operations and HMRC rules and regulations
- Strong influencing and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build effective relationships at all levels, both within and outside of Royal Mail Group.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interpret complex financial information and present it in a clear and accessible manner.
- Proven planning and organisational capabilities, including experience delivering to tight deadlines and adapting flexibly to meet stakeholder and customer needs.
- English Language and Mathematics at GCSE/A Level
- Professional finance qualification (minimum AAT Level 4)
- Desirable – Professional pensions qualification (e.g., Certificate/Advanced Diploma in Pension Administration, PMI Award in Pensions Essentials, QPA)
- Family friendly support - enhanced maternity pay, paternity leave, adoption leave and shared parental leave
- Discounts and offers - there are more than 800 offers to help you save on things like groceries, days out, holidays and your household bills*.
- Supportive and generous company sick pay
- Your Wellbeing - you and your family have 24/7 access to services and tools to help you get the most out of life. From your physical and mental health to financial and social support and advice. It’s free, and it’s for everyone.