Data Officer

Why Southwark?

Join Southwark Council’s Pensions Services team, where your expertise in data quality and analysis helps safeguard the futures of thousands of employees and retirees. This is a role for someone who thrives on accuracy, enjoys problem-solving, and takes pride in transforming data into trusted intelligence.

What makes this opportunity stand out?

• Impact that matters: You’ll play a pivotal role in ensuring the integrity of data that underpins the Southwark Pension Fund, part of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
• Cutting-edge systems: Work hands-on with the Universal Pension Management (UPM) system – the backbone of our digital pension service.
• Growth and collaboration: Be part of a professional, friendly team that values learning, partnership, and continuous improvement across the Council and with schools, payroll providers, and external agencies.

What You'll Be Doing

• Deliver accurate data management and reporting through the UPM pensionssystem, ensuring compliance with statutory and data protection standards.
• Maintain, validate, and improve the quality of financial and administrative data to produce reliable performance and statutory reports.
• Administer the LGPS scheme efficiently from processing starters and leavers to maintaining comprehensive manual and digital records.
• Lead on data validation for schools and external employers, ensuring submissions are accurate and compliant.
• Produce management information, bespoke reports, and data insights for internal and external stakeholders including the LGA and The Pensions Regulator.
• Provide advice and build relationships across departments and partner organisations to drive best practice in pension data management.

What We're Looking For

We need a passionate and driven Data Officer who will bring a blend of the following:

• Proven data administrative experience, ideally gained in a local government or pensions environment.
• GCSEs (or equivalent) at Grade C/4 or above in Maths and English.
• Confident with Microsoft Excel and other Office applications, with the ability to pick up new software quickly.
• Strong understanding of data confidentiality, GDPR, and best practice administration principles.
• A true team player, highly organised, detail-driven, analytical, and proactive with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• A collaborative and flexible approach, willing to take on challenges and support colleagues across services.
• Enjoy a balanced approach with hybrid working alongside travel to our Tooley Street office.

Additional Information

About Southwark Council

Southwark Council is the largest local authority social landlord in London, managing 55,000 homes lived in by 40% of Southwark’s residents. We are home to over 18,300 businesses including iconic London venues such as The Shard, The Tate Modern and Borough Market along with many social enterprises and we have a young, diverse, and growing population.

At Southwark we are committed to making our borough just and fair and are taking positive action to tackle inequalities. Our residents and communities are our greatest asset and the passion we have for Southwark is shared by millions of Londoners who enjoy our outstanding cultural offer, use our hospitals and attend our universities.

Our refreshed borough plan and focus on Southwark Stands Together (which is our work with Southwark’s communities and the council’s staff to tackle racism, injustice and inequality), underpins all that we do.

Benefits and more information:

Working for Southwark Council – Southwark

Salary Range: £38,637 - £44,937

Application Closing Date: 16th March 2025 at 23:59*

*We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role, in which case we will move the key dates for the process. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

Interview Date: to be confirmed

As an organisation we are passionate about our people and understand the importance of diversity as necessary to provide the best possible services to our communities.

This is demonstrated through our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our Southwark Stands Together initiative.

We particularly welcome applications from members of the Black, Asian, and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme

As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Are currently in care or have previously been in care.
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition

Attachments

• Click here to view the Job Description and Person Specification