Pension Officer
Come and join us
We're looking for people who share our values (compassion, accountability and optimism) to help us provide high quality care to the patients, carers, families and local communities we serve. We specialise in providing NHS mental health and learning disability services.
So what can we offer you in return?
We're an organisation which puts people first. We'll do everything possible to help you feel respected, valued and included. We'll help you learn, acquire new skills and gain further experience to support your career development. And we'll provide the opportunity for you to bring your fresh ideas to work about how we can do things differently and continue improving.
You will also be joining a health and care system committed to working together to do the best we can for the communities we serve. Above all, at Sussex Partnership you'll have the chance to make a difference to the lives of the patients, carers and families across our communities.
As a Trust we are committed in making a difference. Your development is important to us, so don't forget to ask us during interview what opportunities we can offer. We can offer fully funded lifelong learning opportunities such as an apprenticeship from GCSE to Masters level.
If you like the sound of that, then come and join our team.
Job overview
The payroll and pensions team are responsible for the administration of over 5000 monthly paid staff and 1000 weekly paid bank workers, using the NHS HR/Payroll system, ESR (Electronic Staff Record).
An opportunity for a highly motivated individual to join the Trust’s payroll and pensions team has arisen. We are looking for an organised and efficient person, who is able to work to strict deadlines. You should be enthusiastic, conscientious, hardworking, and eager to develop and progress.You must have substantial NHS payroll and NHS Pension Scheme knowledge and experience and a good understanding of all NHS terms and conditions.
You will be able to organise and prioritise your own workload and that of others on the team, ensuring all work is completed within the agreed deadlines. You should have excellent communication skills and be able to deal with difficult calls if necessary.
Main duties of the job
Attending “drop in” clinics and Trust inductions days, providing payroll and pensions support to the Trust’s staff/bank workers
Providing expert guidance to staff and managers on all aspects of the NHS Pension Scheme
Ensuring staff pension records are up to date
Working with the Senior Pensions Team Leam Leader and Senior Payroll Team Leaders to develop and implement reporting tools to support process improvement in the pensions team
Producing /maintaining procedure notes
Reviewing and updating the pension information on the Trust’s intranet pages
The role requires knowledge and experience of using the ESR system, processing payroll elements, statutory regulations, NHS and local terms and conditions, and pension administration together with a sound knowledge of IT.
Working for our organisation
The Pensions Team is part of the Trust's in-house Payroll Team, made up of 14 people across both teams. There is close working relationship across the team and also with other departments within the Trust. There is a wide range of staff benefits and wellbeing initiatives available.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The postholder has responsibility for helping to provide the Trust’s Pension Service, liaising between the payroll department, employees of the Trust and other organisations for whom the department provide a payroll service, and NHS Pensions.
The postholder/s provides pensions information to Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust staff.
Develop and implement procedural guidelines to ensure an effective and efficient Pension Administration service is provided and adequately maintained.Work with the Senior Pensions Team Leader to establish and constantly review procedures, recommend and implement changes in policies and procedures from amendments in Pensions regulations and legislation.
Review departmental procedures to ensure that the information provided has been accurately calculated from extracted information, and complies with the required standards of clarity and professionalism.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria- • ECDL Advance Level (European Computer Driving Licence) or equivalent experience
- • Recognised pension qualification or equivalent experience
Experience
Essential criteria- Extensive experience and knowledge of NHS Pension Scheme rules and regulations
- Significant experience of pensions including the use of computerised payroll/pension systems
- Extensive experience of NHS Payroll terms and conditions
- Be able to demonstrate experience of process improvements which led to improved customer service
Knowledge, Skills and Competencies
Essential criteria- Detailed expert knowledge of NHS pensions and benefits along with stakeholder and AVC pension schemes.
- Detailed expert knowledge of NHS pensions and benefits along with stakeholder and AVC pension schemes.
- Able to communicate highly complex and sensitive pay and pension information to all levels of staff
- Good interpersonal skills
- Self motivated with a pro-active approach to problem solving
- Be able to plan and manage time effectively as priorities change frequently
- Able to review processes and recommend appropriate changes to improve efficiency
Sussex Partnership NHS FT is committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects our communities. Our workforce is currently under-represented from Black and Minority, Ethnic and disabled communities and we would welcome applications from these communities.
We regret that we are unable to advise candidates if they have not been shortlisted. If you have not heard from us within three weeks of the closing date please assume that you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.
In the event of an excessive number of applicants the Trust reserves the right to close this vacancy earlier than indicated.
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust takes its responsibilities for the safeguarding and protection of children and young people and vulnerable adults very seriously and expects this of all its employees and bank workers. The Trust works with adult and children’s social care to ensure that the integrated service has systems in place to equip staff and bank workers with the knowledge and skills to recognize abuse, and take action to safeguard and protect vulnerable adults and children and young people.It is expected that all staff and bank workers familiarise themselves with the appropriate structures and policies and with the Sussex child protection and safeguarding procedures and the Sussex multi-agency policy and procedures for safeguarding vulnerable adults and undertake the relevant essential training and further training appropriate to their role.
Successful candidates are normally offered salaries at the bottom of the relevant salary range. However, where previous or equivalent NHS experience in a similar role can be demonstrated and evidenced, this may be taken into consideration when setting the starting salary.