Descriptions & requirements
Overview
The 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 Government’s 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 Actuary’s Department (GAD), legal and policy colleagues to ensure the projects are delivered to time and quality.
Role Overview
The 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 Responsibilities
Project Delivery & Management
- Lead 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 Engagement
- You 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 Management
- Ensure 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 & Innovation
- Find 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 & Support
- Provide 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 Specification
- Effective 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 & Experience
Essential
- Proven 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
Working Arrangements & Further Information
The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity.
Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.
For nationally advertised roles, the successful candidate(s) will be appointed to a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed on the completion of pre-employment checks.
Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.
MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain their grade on lateral transfer.
All candidates who are currently in receipt of Mark Time / Pay Protection should ensure they are familiar with the new policy on permanent and temporary promotion which can be found on the employee intranet.
Flexible working hours
The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full
time working hours are 37 hours per week. MoJ welcomes part-time, flexible and
job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business
needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be
considered in accordance with the MoJ’s Flexible Working policy.
Benefits
The MoJ offers a range of benefits:
Annual Leave
Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service.
There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.
Pension
The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.
Training
The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.
Networks
The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.
Support
- A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
- Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
- For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on www.GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
- Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
- Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order
- To Shared Service Connected Ltd (0845 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com);
- To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (resourcing-management-office@justice.gov.uk);
- To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)
As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.
For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please see our Disability Confident Scheme Frequently Asked Questions webpage.
You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team.
Diversity & Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.
Job Description Attachment
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JOB DESCRIPTION Grade 7 Pensions Team Manager .docx (Job Description Attachment)