Defined Contribution Pension Governance Specialist

In this role, you will support the management of Barclays’ UK and Channel Islands defined contribution (DC) pension schemes, which represent the Bank’s largest employee savings plans. You will be responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations, supplier relationships, and ensuring regulatory compliance across jurisdictions. You will act as a key contributor to scheme design and governance, lead the development and execution of the UK pension communications strategy, monitor investment performance, and respond to employee pension queries, ensuring enrolment processes are accurate and aligned with policy.

You will further act as a strategic partner in supporting global pension projects, contributing to initiatives across UK, Europe, Asia, and other regions. You will analyse emerging pension regulations, support tax and policy changes, and help implement enhancements to scheme design and systems. You will also play a key role in governance committee activity, ensuring all processes meet Barclays’ Enterprise Risk Management Framework and internal policy standards. This role is ideal for a pensions specialist currently involved in managing employer plans and seeking to step into a more complex, high-profile environment with global reach or for someone with a pension consulting background.

To be successful in the DC Pension Governance role, you should have experience with:

·      Extensive knowledge and practical application of UK pensions legislation and regulatory requirements, with a particular focus on Defined Contribution (DC) pensions management.

·      Possession of relevant professional qualifications, either completed or in progress (e.g., APMI or equivalent).

·      Proven experience in project ownership and successful delivery in a fast-paced environment, fostering collaborative work across teams.

·      Exceptional Excel and data analytical skills.

Some other highly valued skills include

·      Understanding of data management, IT change processes, risk and control environments, pension administration practices/processes, and third-party supplier management.

·      Ability to innovate and challenge existing practices, striving for excellence.

·      Proficiency in drafting member communications on complex issues in a clear and straightforward manner.

You may be assessed on the key critical skills relevant for success in role, such as risk and controls, change and transformation, business acumen strategic thinking and digital and technology, as well as job-specific technical skills.

Your role will be located from our Glasgow office.

Purpose of the role

To develop, implement and provide governance to employee retirement plans and benefits programmes, and provide counsel to resolve any related issues.  

Accountabilities

• Responsible for the development, implementation and delivery of the retirement plans and benefits programmes and processes aligned to the organisation’s strategy and enabled by supporting technology where appropriate, including the resolution of any escalated retirement and benefits issues from colleagues and people leaders (either directly, through HR operational teams or through oversight of a third party).
• Responsible for ensuring that retirement plans and benefit programmes are delivered in a manner that is compliant with all applicable internal governance requirements and external regulation; staying up to date with applicable legislative and regulatory changes.
• Communication and engagement to educate employees and managers on the available retirement and benefit options, such as retirement, health insurance and other benefit solutions.
• Market research and the development of appropriate retirement and benefits strategy, administration and compliance, as appropriate.
• Identification, engagement and management of external vendors/ stakeholders to manage the administration and delivery of the retirement and benefits services and provision of advice and counsel to employees and people leaders where relevant.
• Oversight and governance to all cost elements relevant to the provision of the retirement and benefits plans; ensuring that costs are appropriately forecasted, managed in line with budgets and spend approvals, and any funding requirements are actively monitored and maintained.

Assistant Vice President Expectations

• To advise and influence decision making, contribute to policy development and take responsibility for operational effectiveness. Collaborate closely with other functions/ business divisions.
• Lead a team performing complex tasks, using well developed professional knowledge and skills to deliver on work that impacts the whole business function. Set objectives and coach employees in pursuit of those objectives, appraisal of performance relative to objectives and determination of reward outcomes
• If the position has leadership responsibilities, People Leaders are expected to demonstrate a clear set of leadership behaviours to create an environment for colleagues to thrive and deliver to a consistently excellent standard. The four LEAD behaviours are: L – Listen and be authentic, E – Energise and inspire, A – Align across the enterprise, D – Develop others.
• OR for an individual contributor, they will lead collaborative assignments and guide team members through structured assignments, identify the need for the inclusion of other areas of specialisation to complete assignments. They will identify new directions for assignments and/ or projects, identifying a combination of cross functional methodologies or practices to meet required outcomes.
• Consult on complex issues; providing advice to People Leaders to support the resolution of escalated issues.
• Identify ways to mitigate risk and developing new policies/procedures in support of the control and governance agenda.
• Take ownership for managing risk and strengthening controls in relation to the work done.
• Perform work that is closely related to that of other areas, which requires understanding of how areas coordinate and contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the organisation sub-function.
• Collaborate with other areas of work, for business aligned support areas to keep up to speed with business activity and the business strategy.
• Engage in complex analysis of data from multiple sources of information, internal and external sources such as procedures and practises (in other areas, teams, companies, etc).to solve problems creatively and effectively.
• Communicate complex information. 'Complex' information could include sensitive information or information that is difficult to communicate because of its content or its audience.
• Influence or convince stakeholders to achieve outcomes.

All colleagues will be expected to demonstrate the Barclays Values of Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence and Stewardship – our moral compass, helping us do what we believe is right. They will also be expected to demonstrate the Barclays Mindset – to Empower, Challenge and Drive – the operating manual for how we behave.