Teachers’ Pensions Policy & Calculations manager

This is a pivotal role within the Division, which aims to ensure that the Scheme remains one of the best available and supports the recruitment and retention of high-quality teachers. This role has a significant impact on the operation of the TPS. The quality and accuracy of the data held is fundamental to ensuring the core operation of the scheme and the calculations are vital to ensure the correct pension is paid to the correct member.Following a recent procurement exercise, the teams current focus is on the project of transitioning our outsourced administration contract from the current supplier to the new supplier. The post holder will support the development of the new suppliers operational systems with a focus on supporting their understanding of the scheme and the supporting legislation to ensure that the scheme calculations are accurately developed and are robust before incorporating them into their IT system. This person will work closely with the incumbent to extract, sort and deliver data that is suitable for transition to a new IT system while working with the new supplier to provide advice and guidance as needed, ensuring that scheme delivery is efficient for both members and employers.The role will require close collaboration and the successful person will lead a small team in working collaboratively with other delivery leads, cross-government departments such as HMRC and GAD and payroll providers. This will include IT and data experts, systems analysts and business analysts to deliver a complex and essential part of the overall delivery model. The team will be required to review detailed calculations relating to pensions, tax, indexation, service accruals and contributions. These are highly specialist calculations following numerous sets of financial and non-financial legislation.As the link between all parties, the post-holder should be confident in leading on stakeholder engagement across the project to ensure consistency in approach, quality of data and to ensure a smooth transition from day one through successful delivery of accurate and consistent data and the resulting calculations.The post holder will also actively contribute to the project management, identifying dependencies, managing risks, and delivering key milestones to timelines.Job Responsibilities will include but are not restricted to:Lead on analysing complex policy and delivery issues and problem solve suitable solutions with the Scheme administrator.Provide technical policy support to the new supplier to ensure the pension delivery system remains compliant with the regulations that govern the TPS and all other pension, finance, and tax related legislation, as well as non-financial legislation such as GDPR.Work with the Scheme administrator to develop, test, and implement robust processes and systems to deliver the solution. Identify, track and manage project risks, completing regular reviews and taking decisive action to mitigate and escalate.Effectively engage with project stakeholders to encourage collaborative and consistent delivery across all aspects of the project delivery.Use project management tools and techniques to ensure effective planning and implementation of TPS projects.Provide regular project updates/reports to project stakeholders on progress, delivery timelines, risks and challenges.