Job description and person specification
Job Title: Employer Services Assistant Manager (Employer Services Relations subteam)
Reports to: Head of Employer Services
Purpose
Take ownership for the development, implementation and management of all Employer
Services Relations sub-team processes and procedures, including clear monitoring and
reporting processes where required. Manage Employer Services relations sub-team,
building knowledge and capability in order to support the wider team in the delivery of
team business plan objectives and employer risk management. Carry out other activities
as directed for Executive Management Team, relevant Committees and Board meetings.
Key Responsibilities
1. Ownership of all Employer Services Relations sub-team processes and standard
documentation to ensure consistency and best working practices are adopted by all
team members. This includes the development, implementation and management
of new procedures as well as the monitoring and improvement of existing
procedures, with clear reporting processes where required.
2. Management of all legal and actuarial work and risk management carried out within
the team including annual evaluation of documentation and processes and checking
and verifying assessments carried out by team members
3. Manage Employer Services Relations sub-team on a day-to-day basis, as well as
building knowledge and capability through a range of training and development
activities. Specifically regarding day-to-day use of systems and caseload including
work with employers and local government pension scheme knowledge as well as
legal and actuarial work.
4. Proactively assisting management with the triennial valuation process, ensuring that
all key deadlines are met and any documentation issued is accurate and of a high
standard.
5. Support Head of Employer Services, contributing to the team business plan and
strategic objectives through all aspects of research, execution, administration and
operational activities, whilst ensuring all risks to the Fund are mitigated.
Ref: HR- Job Descriptions- ES Assistant Manager (Employer Relations sub-team)
Version: V1.0
Issue Date: 08.10.2014
Page 1 of 4
Key Accountabilities
1. Full responsibility for managing and motivating a sub-team, carrying out regular
1-2-1 meetings and performance appraising team, whilst ensuring appropriately
challenging objectives are set, which are SMART and aligned to both the strategic
and departmental business plans.
2. Proactively foster a culture of high performance, assisting sub-team in identifying
learning and development needs and ensuring appropriate training is undertaken,
delivering personally where able.
3. Fully responsible for development of all processes and procedures on the team.
Ensuring they are fit for purpose, implemented fully and follow industry best
practice and project managing the incorporation of improvements and efficiencies
where identified.
4. Provide responses on complex issues to employers and their advisors, either on
request or as per LPFA’s service level agreement, including advice on their rights,
responsibilities and actions available to them and the LPFA under the current
regulations and policies in place.
5. Advise sub-team members on low and medium risk correspondence, as well as
checking for both accuracy and delivery, before it is issued to employers or other
stakeholders, amending or redrafting where necessary. Identifying and, where
required, drafting responses for high risk cases and Fund-wide employer
communications before passing to Head of Employer Services or Director of
Pensions.
6. Proactively monitor day-to-day caseload management and workflow of legal and
actuarial work on the team, assisting with any issues that arise and ensuring
correct procedures are followed.
7. Ensure all key deadlines are met in relation to bulk transfers, employer
cessations, new admissions, covenant assessments, monthly reporting to Board,
security implementation, employer sector forums, triennial valuations and any
other as identified on the team business plan.
8. Responsibility for key areas of triennial valuation project plan, ensuring
deliverables are achieved within deadline and to a high standard, supporting the
Head of Employer Services and Director of Pensions. This includes, but is not
limited to, checking high-level affordability analyses, assisting with contribution
Ref: HR- Job Descriptions- ES Assistant Manager (Employer Relations sub-team)
Version: V1.0
Issue Date: 08.10.2014
Page 2 of 4
rate setting, liaising with employers and actuaries to agree amendments,
managing security implementation and reviews, drafting all standardised
documentation and correspondence and ensuring it is issued within prescribed
timescales.
9. Represent LPFA at external meetings when required upon request, managing
outcomes, providing feedback internally and ensuring required actions are
undertaken. Carry out any other duties commensurate with the post and where
appropriate deputise for the manager.
10. To continually develop both knowledge and skill in the pensions arena by
maintaining up to date information in relation to best practice in both public and
private sector schemes, regulation changes, and increased understanding of legal
and actuarial issues, through the attendance of external seminars and other
professional courses as necessary.
11. To contribute and actively support the LPFA’s equality programme, both internally
and externally, along with all other corporate policy initiatives as directed.
Person Specification
The post holder will demonstrate:

Ideally degree level educated, but at least a minimum of 7 GCSE’s (A to C
grades) or equivalent qualifications, including Maths and English Language.

Previous experience, demonstrated by skills and knowledge gained, in a public
sector pensions environment and be fully qualified or part qualified and working
towards a relevant professional qualification such as PMI.

Ability to develop a strategic awareness of team and organisational objectives.

Well-developed communication and interpersonal skills, with ability to build sound
relationships with managers, staff and other stakeholders, including ability to
simplify complex concepts and contribute to decision-making process.

Strong organisational and planning skills with the ability to set and adhere to
deadlines at all times.

Self-motivated team player.

Proven capability to manage and implement a range of projects and strategic
change initiatives, including appropriate liaison with colleagues to ensure
consistency.

Ability to evaluate issues, monitor risk and to deliver solutions within a team
environment, including excellent logical thinking and problem solving skills.
Ref: HR- Job Descriptions- ES Assistant Manager (Employer Relations sub-team)
Version: V1.0
Issue Date: 08.10.2014
Page 3 of 4

Excellent IT skills including application of the Microsoft Office suite of tools.

Demonstrates a positive approach, acting as a role model to staff through positive
and consistent messaging, attitudes and approach.

Willingness and ability to successfully develop, over time and with appropriate
support, personal presentation, staff training and appraisal skills, and the
knowledge and skills required to represent LPFA at external and client meetings.

An understanding of, and practical experience in, the application of pensions and
related legislation.

An understanding of the breath of the diversity agenda including embedding good
practice and an understanding of LPFA’s and the public sector’s commitment to
combating discrimination and promoting equality of opportunity.
Reasonable adjustment will be made to working arrangements to accommodate a person
with a disability who otherwise would be prevented from undertaking the work.
Ref: HR- Job Descriptions- ES Assistant Manager (Employer Relations sub-team)
Version: V1.0
Issue Date: 08.10.2014
Page 4 of 4