Job ref: 190316
TPR grade: R&O Grade 7 - Lead Specialist
About us
More than half the UK working population rely on The Pensions Regulator (TPR) to regulate their retirement savings. With a career at TPR, you’ll be joining an organisation that will impact on millions of lives for decades to come.
Everyone at TPR plays an important role in helping to keep more than £2trn of savings safe. We’re committed to bringing people into TPR who are ready to make a difference and put UK savers at the heart of what we do.
It is important to us that TPR remains a great place to work. We do all we can to help our people reach their full potential with learning, secondment, and development opportunities. We put our 900+ employees first, supporting flexible working and offer a diverse, lively, and inclusive environment. This includes our Disability Network, Family Network, LGBT+ Network (Proud), Minority Ethnic (ME) Network and Women’s Network, which offer spaces to connect.
Our new corporate strategy outlines a bold and challenging vision of how pensions regulation should evolve to keep pace with a change in the scale and nature of the industry. We are at the start of that journey. Join us to find out what part you can play.
We operate a hybrid working model, with regular attendance in our Brighton office to connect with colleagues across the business.
Role
To be the Regulatory Compliance Directorate subject matter expert and point of reference for all payroll related issues. This includes Large Employer and Sector deep dives ensuring pension contributions are calculated accurately and efficiently.
To monitor developments and provide close compliance oversight of all payroll middleware and software providers, prioritising those with or likely to achieve large market share (and/or are considered high risk).
To support and present at Automatic Enrolment (AE) and payroll conferences and speaking events as agreed.
To work with key contacts in HMRC and DWP on relevant legislative changes and communications impacting on the payroll software industry and the services and products they provide.
Responsibilities
- Support AE Compliance and Enforcement (C&E) from a payroll perspective on all case work, as required, attending the more complex inspections.
- Provide effective and specialist support to AE C&E on all payroll, pension contribution and tax related issues encountered both on individual cases and at a thematic and strategic level.
- Deep understanding of the payroll industry and systems including the key stakeholders, enabling AE C&E to thoroughly investigate any non-compliance in this area and put corrective solutions in place where necessary.
- Develop payroll data analysis and compliance tools that support AE C&E investigations.
- Periodic review of all the main software providers and new software entrants advising on key risks in this field.
- To help the major AE payroll and middleware software providers understand the AE regulations and ensure they provide compliant products and services.
- To run a programme of face-to-face meetings with large software providers ensuring all aspects of their AE design are compliant.
- Provide AE C&E with regular and comprehensive training on the major payroll systems and providers including known issues and on-going developments.
- To keep a record of all external payroll related meetings ensuring networking and contact details are recorded and maintained.
- To plan AE software industry engagement campaigns and attend public speaking events as agreed.
Essential and desirable criteria
Essential
- At least 5 years payroll software industry experience.
- Excellent working knowledge of payroll industry and best practices, including HMRC tax and NI rules.
- Expert on AE legislation, particularly assessment and pay reference period processes.
- Campaign and contact data management.
- Data Protection Act/Freedom of Information principles.
- TPR values and ways of working.
- Public speaking to small and large audiences.
- Use of standard Office IT software applications.
Desirable
- A good working knowledge of TPR’s C&E practices and procedures.
- Strong working knowledge of pension provider industry and middleware software industry.
- Technical knowledge of payroll software systems.
- Membership of CIPP (Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals).
Salary and benefits
As well as a salary between £48,425 and £61,876, we offer:
- Civil Service Pension arrangements, which are recognised as some of the best in the pensions world
- discretionary bonus arrangements
- access to performance related pay progression
- 25 days annual leave provision
- flexible working arrangements
- development opportunities
- enhanced parental leave arrangements
- a free employee assistance programme
- an excellent office location in Brighton
How to apply
To apply please email recruitmentteam@tpr.gov.uk quoting role reference number 190316 along with:
- a covering letter with details of how your skills and experience meet the role requirements
- a copy of your CV
- details of your notice period
Current employees in their first 12 months of employment who want to apply for this vacancy should first contact their line manager to discuss their application.
We are an inclusive employer and offer equal opportunities regardless of an individual’s age, disability, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.
As a Disability Confident employer, we’re committed to the recruitment, employment, retention and development of people with disabilities and to improving their employment opportunities. Candidates who declare that they have a disability and who meet the essential criteria for the job will be offered an interview.
Applications will be considered on a part time and job share basis. If you want your application to be considered as part of a job share, please apply with the hours you are available to work.
In accordance with Home Office guidance, the successful candidate will be required to provide their right to work in the UK before they start employment. Unfortunately, TPR is not able to offer sponsorship at the time. TPR is a UK-based organisation with a working location in Brighton, candidates must live in the UK to be employed by us.
The Pensions Regulator is an arm’s length government body and part of the public service.
Any offer of employment will be subject to the receipt of satisfactory background screening checks and criminal record checks (BPSS).
If you have any queries about this role, or if you have a disability and wish to request a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process, please email recruitmentteam@tpr.gov.uk.