Pensions Manager (Finance) – AR

Job Details

Pensions Manager (Finance)

Location: Surrey County Council
Service Area: Surrey Pension Team
Job Type: Full-time

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Pensions Manager (Finance) to join the Surrey Pension Team and play a key role in managing the financial operations of the Surrey Pension Fund.

This is a senior finance role requiring strong knowledge of Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) accounting, financial reporting, governance, and budget management. The successful candidate will lead a small finance team, oversee key financial processes, and provide expert financial insight to support the long-term sustainability of the Fund.

The Surrey Pension Fund is one of the largest LGPS funds in the UK, valued at over £6 billion, supporting more than 130,000 members and approximately 500 participating employers.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead and support the delivery of the Surrey Pension Team Finance Strategy.
  • Oversee the preparation of the annual Pension Fund accounts and Annual Report.
  • Ensure financial controls, governance arrangements and reporting processes are robust and compliant.
  • Monitor and manage the Surrey Pension Team operating budget (approximately £7m).
  • Support cashflow management, forecasting and financial modelling for the Pension Fund.
  • Lead and develop a small finance team, providing guidance, coaching and performance support.
  • Analyse complex financial and pension data, providing insight and recommendations to senior stakeholders.
  • Work closely with key stakeholders including:
    • Pension Fund Committee
    • Local Pension Board
    • External auditors
    • Actuaries
    • Investment managers
    • Pension fund employers
    • Fund investment pool partners
  • Identify and implement process improvements, digital initiatives and efficiencies across the service.
  • Provide clear financial advice and communicate complex pension information to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Essential Experience & Skills

The successful candidate will have:

  • Significant experience within pensions finance, LGPS, local authority finance or public sector accounting.
  • Strong understanding of LGPS pension fund accounting requirements and regulations.
  • Experience preparing or contributing to statutory accounts and financial reports.
  • Experience managing budgets, forecasts, reconciliations and financial controls.
  • Ability to analyse and interpret complex financial and pension information.
  • Experience working with auditors, actuaries and external stakeholders.
  • Previous experience managing or supervising finance teams.
  • Strong communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
  • Experience improving financial processes and systems.

Qualifications

  • Qualified accountant status preferred:
    • CIPFA
    • ACCA
    • ACA
      or equivalent professional experience.

Ideal Backgrounds

Suitable candidates may currently be working as:

  • Pensions Finance Manager
  • Pension Fund Accountant
  • Senior Pension Accountant
  • LGPS Accountant
  • Finance Manager – Pension Fund
  • Senior Finance Manager (Pensions)

Experience within a local authority pension fund environment is highly desirable.