Pensions Manager (Finance) – AR

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.