Shape the future of a well-funded, ambitious pension fund
Salary: Grade 16, from £77,503 to £83,584 per annum
Relocation allowance of up to to £8,000 available (subject to criteria)
We're looking for an outstanding pension professional to become our first statutory Senior LGPS Officer, taking a leading role in the future development of the Isle of Wight Pension Fund.
This is a rare opportunity to join us at a pivotal time. With around 18,000 scheme members, a strong funding position following the 2025 valuation, and a newly integrated pensions service covering administration, governance and accounting, this is your chance to make a real and lasting impact.
You'll join a supportive, enthusiastic team, head up the whole local authority pension function via a new statutory role, and play a key role in delivering major pension reforms while setting the direction for governance, investments and member services for years to come!
This is an exciting opportunity for someone looking for a fresh challenge and the chance to leave a lasting legacy.
This is a financially strong pension fund, and you'll be leading an evolving service as you join forces with supportive colleagues, working together to help shape how the Isle of Wight Pension Fund responds to one of the most significant periods of change in the LGPS for many years.
Ensure you have read the full job summary for this post prior to application.
Why join us?
This is a new role, giving you a unique opportunity to help shape both the position and the service around it.
We've recently brought together our pension administration, governance and accounting functions into a single team. We've also invested additional resources to strengthen resilience, improve performance and create a service that's ready for the future.
As a result, you'll be joining a team that is
- Enthusiastic and ambitious
- Supportive and collaborative
- Open to new ideas
- Keen to innovate and improve
- Ready to make its mark
- While we're smaller than many LGPS funds, that's one of our strengths.
You'll enjoy close working relationships, visible impact, and the opportunity to influence decision-making without layers of bureaucracy.
The team is friendly, approachable and committed to high standards of governance, learning and continuous improvement.
The role
As Senior LGPS Officer, you'll strategically lead all aspects of the pension fund as you
- Provide expert advice to the Pension Fund Committee and Local Pension Board
- Develop key strategies and governance arrangements
- Ensure the fund continues to deliver excellent outcomes for all
This is much more than a traditional pensions management role. You'll help shape the future direction of the fund as the LGPS continues to evolve, leading the response to significant national reforms, including the Government's Fit for the Future agenda and the requirements arising from the Pension Schemes Act.
You'll work across
- Governance and regulatory compliance
- Pension administration and service delivery
- Funding strategy and actuarial matters
- Investment governance and pooling arrangements
- Employer engagement and stakeholder relations
- Risk management and assurance
- Committee and Board support, training and development
The person
We're seeking an experienced pensions professional who combines technical expertise with strategic leadership.
You'll be comfortable operating in a complex and evolving environment and able to explain technical issues clearly and confidently to a wide range of audiences.
You'll bring
- Strong knowledge of the Local Government Pension Scheme
- Expertise in governance, funding and pensions administration
- Experience of leading organisational change
- Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills
- An understanding of regulatory compliance and risk management
- The ability to build capability, develop teams and create resilient services
- A passion for delivering excellent outcomes for members, employers and stakeholders
Join #TeamIWC and you'll also receive our staff benefits package, including
- Annual leave entitlement of 32 days p/a PLUS public holidays!
- Local Government pension scheme
- Discounted Solent ferry travel
- Island bus network discount
- Cycle to work scheme
- Staff parking permit scheme
- Salary sacrifice scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
- Discounted island sports & leisure gym membership
- National and local discounts & benefits schemes
If you're looking for a role where you can influence strategy, drive improvement and help shape the future of the pension fund, we'd love to hear from you.
Disability Confident Scheme
We are a Disability Confident Employer. Along with a number of commitments, this means, providing you meet the basic essential requirements of the advertised role and have declared yourself as disabled within your covering statement, you will be offered an opportunity for an interview within the council.
Please let us know of any reasonable adjustments that you may require to ensure you are comfortable and able to fully participate in the process from application to interview.
Island life
Full of surprises and opportunity, the Isle of Wight is a beautiful place in which to live and work with wonderful work life balance opportunities
Whether you choose to relocate here permanently or take advantage of hybrid working as you commute to our offices from the mainland, you'll be able to take advantage of our wonderful island lifestyle while pursuing your own professional goals.
