Judicial Pensions Team Leader (Ref: 1371)

OverviewThe Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is one of the largest government departments, employing around 70,000 people and with an annual budget of approximately 9 billion. Each year, millions of people use our services, including at 500 courts and tribunals and 133 prisons in England and Wales. Our principal role is to uphold the rule of law, the cornerstone of the British way of life, and we deliver services which are some of the most fundamental in a democratic society. MoJ supports the Secretary of State for Justice, who is also the Lord Chancellor, and his ministerial team to deliver the Governments priorities. Our vision is to deliver a world-class justice system that works for everyone in society.The Pensions Operations Team sits within the Financial Management and Control Directorate of the Ministry of Justice. We are responsible for effective administration of the judicial pension schemes via the third-party administrator and support to the statutory Judicial Pension Board.The Operational Delivery Team is responsible for delivery of policy and legislative changes being made, including legally required remedies following litigation losses. We work closely with the third-party administrator, Government Actuarys Department (GAD), legal and policy colleagues to ensure the projects are delivered to time and quality.Role OverviewThe Pensions Operations Delivery Lead will be responsible for managing the delivery of operational aspects of critical litigation projects. This role ensures that all project objectives are achieved ensuring alignment with regulatory and scheme requirements, creating operational efficiency and ensuring member satisfaction. The individual will work closely with cross-functional teams, other government department stakeholders, and external providers to deliver on these projects to a high quality.This is an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal role in driving operational excellence and successful project delivery.Key ResponsibilitiesProject Delivery & ManagementLead the operational delivery of critical litigation pensions projects, ensuring timelines and objectives are met. Coordinate resources within the pensions operations team to execute project tasks effectively.Communication & Stakeholder EngagementYou will need to work with energy, pace and be a diplomatic communicator who relishes the challenge of achieving objectives through mutually beneficial relationships with a diverse stakeholder community.Build and maintain strong relationships with internal teams and third-party providers.Communicate progress, risks, and challenges to senior stakeholders and escalate issues where necessary.Regulatory Compliance & Risk ManagementEnsure that all project activities satisfy relevant court remedies, pension regulations and industry standards.Identify risks associated with operational delivery and implement mitigation strategies.Process Improvement & InnovationFind opportunities for improving the delivery of the projects and work effectively with others to continually review these in the light of changing policy.Work with others in an inclusive way to solve problems and share good practice.Excellent analytical skills providing you with the ability to rapidly structure a problem;Team Leadership & SupportProvide leadership and guidance to team members involved in operational delivery.Ensure appropriate training and resources are available for staff to execute project tasks.Foster a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement within the pensions operations team.Personal SpecificationEffective communication skills with the ability to negotiate and influence stakeholders to help shape outcomes;Initiative and decisiveness, making sound decisions based on evidence;Good organisational and planning skills, taking responsibility for delivering outcomes on time to required standard;The ability to work collaboratively as part of a multi-disciplinary team, maintaining positive working relationships with colleagues and external stakeholders;The ability to produce and present complex information in a clear and concise way for non-technical audiences;Building strong relationships with a range of stakeholders across the department to embed collaborative working. Be able to work independently, as well as part of a team, helping to balance the changing demands.Be adaptable and flexible.Tenacity, determination and resilience these are demanding roles that requires the ability to resolve issues and the ability to make robust decisions often at pace.An ability to build professional relationships across organisational boundaries, actively encouraging and providing opportunities for others to share ideas and/or contribute to your work.Skills & ExperienceEssentialProven experience in pensions operations, with a focus on project delivery.Demonstrable project management experience, including planning, execution, and delivery.Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.Ability to analyse complex issues, identify risks, and implement practical solutions.Desirable:A knowledge of public sector pension schemes