Pensions Administrator

Role overview

This permanent full-time role is for a Pensions Administrator based in Reading. The position sits at Associate grade and follows a hybrid working pattern, with office attendance expected twice a week. During the first settling-in phase, more frequent office presence will be required.

XPS Group is a UK pensions and insurance consultancy and administration business with a large client base across a wide range of pension arrangements. The organisation supports a diverse workforce and combines specialist knowledge with technology to deliver administration services at scale.

What you will do

You will support the delivery of efficient pensions administration services for insurance and trust-based pension schemes, helping the team meet its objectives while maintaining a high standard of client service.

• Carry out a range of administration activities, including updates to member data, responses to general queries, retirements, transfers, and death cases.
• Follow established procedures and company standards across all pensions administration work.
• Maintain pension administration records and systems accurately.
• Register and manage incoming and outgoing postal items and correspondence.
• Deal with HM Revenue and Customs queries.
• Answer internal and external telephone enquiries.
• Use automated tools to run calculations.
• Complete manual benefit calculations when required.
• Draft member letters using the electronic document management system, then arrange issue after checking.
• Return original certificates and other documents to customers.
• Make non-financial amendments such as address changes and, with experience, move toward checking this type of work.
• Build foundational knowledge of insurer-related and connected schemes.
• Support project activity such as bulk communications to scheme members.
• Work with internal and external teams such as Pensions Accounts, Payroll, and Administration Support to provide a joined-up client service.
• Record time accurately in the Virtual Office system for both chargeable and non-chargeable work and meet utilisation targets.

What we are looking for

The role is suited to someone with office-based experience, ideally from pensions or financial services. Candidates with around 12 months of experience are likely to find this opportunity relevant, though applications from others will still be considered individually.

• Basic awareness of the pensions sector.
• Comfort working with numbers, shown through work history or academic results.
• Strong IT skills, especially in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Good organisation and planning ability.
• Capability to manage several tasks and work ahead of deadlines.
• Finish tasks and projects within agreed timescales.
• Willingness to learn and absorb instructions, policies, and procedures quickly.
• Ownership of personal work and responsibility for outcomes.
• Positive, adaptable, and energetic working style.
• Strong people skills and a collaborative approach.
• High accuracy and strong attention to detail in written and numerical work.
• Clear spoken and written communication.
• Ability to listen actively and act on instructions.
• Comfort working within a multi-disciplinary team.
• Good problem-solving ability.
• Customer-focused mindset with an emphasis on quality and exceeding expectations.

Qualifications and development

You should be educated to at least A Level or equivalent. A minimum of three C grades or above at A Level, or an equivalent qualification, is preferred. Strong GCSE-level Maths and English, or an equivalent qualification, with at least grade B, is also expected. You should be willing to study toward a relevant pensions qualification such as CPC, DPC, RPC, or APMI.

Desirable experience and attributes

It would be an advantage if you already show commitment to building a career in pensions administration, take a self-driven approach to your professional growth, and remain flexible when workload pressure increases. Developing technical knowledge across DB, DC, and CARE arrangements, improving processes, building effective professional relationships, progressing relevant pensions qualifications, sharing expertise, and supporting junior colleagues are all viewed positively.

Benefits

The package includes a competitive salary, an annual discretionary bonus, and 25 days of holiday with the option to buy or sell leave. Additional benefits include pension matching, healthcare cover, life assurance, retailer discounts, a flexible benefits scheme, employee assistance support, a digital GP service, paid volunteer days, and referral bonuses for suitable candidate introductions.

Application and additional information

Applications can be submitted using the application option provided or by contacting the recruitment team for further information. The organisation promotes a diverse and inclusive workplace.

Equal opportunities

XPS Group is committed to fairness and equal opportunity. Applications are welcomed from people of all backgrounds, regardless of sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion, or belief. As a Disability Confident employer, the company aims to provide accessible and supportive working conditions.

Eligibility

Any offer is conditional on successful DBS checks, employment or education references, a satisfactory credit check, and proof of right to work in the UK. Sponsorship is not available for this role.

About XPS Group

XPS Group is a sizeable and expanding UK consultancy and administration business serving the pensions and insurance sectors. It supports more than 1,400 pension schemes and their sponsors, and employs over 2,000 people.