Head of Pensions and Treasury

Recruitment is ongoing for the role of Head of Pensions and Treasury.

Job Overview:

The Head of Pensions and Treasury is lead officer for the in-house pensions team that manages the Barnet Local Government Pension Scheme and provides outstanding leadership and direction on all pension related issues to Barnet. The Head of Pensions and Treasury will manage the team that has day-to-day accountability for implementation of pension policy and oversight of external service providers including investment managers, third party administrator, consultants and advisors and provide guidance and support to Barnet’s Pension Fund Committee and Local Pension Board in carrying out their duties.

Key Responsibilities:

• Responsible for the investment, administration and financial governance of the Pension Fund such as Accounting, Budgeting, Financial information, Monitoring and Control of the accounts of the Pension Fund.
• Oversee the effective administration of LGPS membership arrangements including meeting key performance targets, resourcing, and compliance.
• Ensure that all activities comply with the council’s constitution, Standing Orders, financial regulations, health and safety and safeguarding responsibilities and that effective systems operate manage performance and risk.
• Interpret and implement legislative and regulatory requirements including The Pension Regulator’s Code of Practices
• Monitor, liaise and review performance of the council’s treasury management advisor.
• Advise on investment and funding strategies including investment risk and performance.
• Proactively seek and identify commercial opportunities that generate income and provide innovative solutions to service delivery challenges.

Professional Qualification/Memberships and Educational Qualification:

• Full member of CCAB (such as CIPFA or equivalent) and / or ACT with significant post qualification experience
• Evidence of significant relevant Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
• Educated to degree level or equivalent
• Post-graduate qualification (e.g. MBA, Masters degree)

Knowledge and Experience:

• Previous experience of managing / administering a defined benefit pension fund (preferably within an LGPS environment.
• A good knowledge of defined benefit pension schemes and other legislation that affects the LGPS.
• Proven ability to drive through and deliver effective performance management within own organisation.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication and presentation skills, with proven ability to communicate effectively to a wide range of audiences.
• Managing and successfully delivering a number of projects simultaneously, a knowledge of project management and of implementing and operating major changes to service provision.
• Experience advising on and preparing business cases for investment decisions including the ability to apply options appraisals and evaluation techniques.

Skills and Abilities:

• Committed to corporate and collegiate working across the service
• Well-developed IT skills (MS Office suite, financial systems, data visualisation tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau).
• Resilience, not easily deterred in the face of challenges.
• Demonstrate the ability to communicate, both written and oral, complex financial issues to members, non-financial managers, senior officers and external organisations.