Data Quality Lead (Pensions)
Hybrid working: 2 days in Preston, Lancashire, or remote with travel for candidates living 50+ miles from our Preston office
£55-65k DOE + bonus and benefits | 37 hours per week
About Us
LPPA is a leading third-party pension administrator for the Local Government, Police and Fire sectors. We deliver trusted, accurate and compliant pension services, underpinned by strong data quality. As we continue to grow and raise standards, we are looking for a Data Quality Lead to drive our data strategy and champion continuous improvement.
The Role
As Data Quality Lead, you will shape the strategic direction for improving scheme member data across LPPA. You will strengthen controls, enhance assurance arrangements and ensure our data supports regulatory compliance, effective governance and an excellent customer experience.
Leading a specialist team of six, you will build capability, drive performance and deliver a high-quality, independent data quality service. Working closely with the Head of Data and Employer Engagement, you will bring together data quality frameworks, map and document data flows, and assess the effectiveness of our pensions systems to support robust data governance.
This is a senior leadership role with ownership of data risks, remediation activity and best practice across pensions data management. It is focused on leadership, oversight and continuous improvement, rather than hands-on coding or purely analytical delivery.
What We Can Offer You:
- Competitive salary £55k – 65k DOE, plus annual bonus scheme
- 30 days’ holiday, plus bank holidays and two concessionary days and your birthday off, with the option to buy and sell leave
- Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, with generous employer contributions
- Health or Dental Plan
- Enhanced Employee Assistance Programme
- Employee Referral Scheme
- Reward Discount Scheme – Your Perk Site
- Wellbeing webinars and social events
- Daily free fruit and snacks in the office
- Free car parking in Preston city centre
- A collaborative and inclusive culture
Key Responsibilities
- Lead LPPA's pensions data improvement plan, aligning priorities to regulatory requirements, client expectations, service performance and business objectives.
- Embed an effective assurance regime, ensuring processes, controls and system design support high-quality pensions administration.
- Work with Planning and Insights to understand root causes and the impact of data quality issues.
- Ensure work is allocated effectively, and cases are processed and prioritised appropriately.
- Oversee data readiness for actuarial valuation activity across Local Government, Police and Fire schemes.
- Improve employer data performance, onboarding and data submissions, including oversight of TUPE transfers, employer cessations and new scheme employers.
- Produce and present management information, with a focus on root cause and trend analysis against service levels and key metrics.
- Support change projects, testing and audit activity, while reviewing processes to maximise technology and improve efficiency.
- Input into the LPPA risk register and, where appropriate, act as risk owner for data risks.
- Lead, motivate and develop six Data Quality Analysts/Technicians, creating a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous development.
- Build strong relationships across Member Services, Data Services and Employer Engagement so data priorities are integrated into service delivery and change activity.
- Attend and present at client meetings, committees, boards and employer forums.
- Contribute to budget planning, resource prioritisation and forward planning for Value Added Business activity.
- Demonstrate strong understanding of regulatory requirements across Local Government, Police and Fire pension schemes.
What you will bring:
Essential
- Previous management or senior management experience, ideally with at least five years' experience.
- At least five years' experience in Local Government pensions administration.
- Experience in client relationship and stakeholder management.
- Experience managing change in a fast-paced and agile environment.
- Ability to interpret complex data to inform decisions and drive improvement.
- Experience reviewing and improving end-to-end processes.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to influence, articulate recommendations and make informed decisions.
- In-depth knowledge of pensions administration operations, statutory requirements and industry standards, with the ability to apply regulatory changes to data quality strategies.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including root cause analysis and data remediation.
- Understanding of data quality frameworks, standards and best practice.
- Experience designing and delivering data quality assurance programmes.
- Proven leadership experience, including talent development, performance management and building a culture of innovation and accountability.
- Experience leading or contributing to major data transformation projects.
- A passion for delivering a first-class member and employer experience.
Nice to have
- Knowledge of the UPM pensions administration system.
- A relevant professional qualification in pensions administration, data quality or business management.
Our Values
At LPPA, our values guide how we work and how we deliver for members, employers, clients and colleagues:
- Doing the right thing
- Forward thinking
- Working together
- Committed to excellence
