Lead Pensions Governance Officer

Job Title: Lead Pensions Governance Officer
Starting Salary: £48,226 progressing to £53,460 per annum (pro rata for part time)
Hours: 37
Location: Stevenage - Hybrid
Contract Type: Permanent
Directorate: Resources

About the team

Our Pensions team plays a key role in safeguarding the financial futures of scheme members and ensuring pension funds are managed to the highest standards of governance, compliance and accountability. We support a wide network of employers and stakeholders, delivering a service that is both legally robust and customer-focused.

This role sits within a specialist governance function, working closely with pension committees, local pension boards, employers and external advisors to ensure the effective oversight of the pension fund. The team includes governance professionals, pension officers and technical specialists, all working collaboratively to manage risk, ensure compliance with frameworks and legislation to drive continuous improvement.

As part of an established but evolving service, this role offers the opportunity to influence and strengthen governance, contribute to strategic developments and help shape the future of pension governance within the organisation.

About the role

This role supports the delivery and continuous improvement of pension governance frameworks, ensuring compliance with LGPS, FPS and regulatory requirements.

Key responsibilities include overseeing risk management, maintaining the risk register and ensuring effective controls are in place. Production of clear and concise reports translating complex information into accessible insights and presenting to Pension Committees and Local Pension Boards,

The role works closely with employers and stakeholders, providing expert guidance and support on governance responsibilities. It also drives policy development, delivers training, and leads strategic communications across a range of channels.

Responsible for managing the employer risk function including overseeing new admissions, cessations and the resolution of complex employer queries. Additional responsibilities include resolving internal dispute resolutions, coordinating projects and delivering stakeholder events such as training and forums.

Line management of one team member is included, alongside supporting wider team priorities where needed.

About you

Essential:

• Demonstrable knowledge of pension governance and regulatory frameworks
• Experience of developing and implementing governance policies and procedures
• Experience presenting complex information to committees, boards or similar forums
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities and deliver to deadlines
• Experience of risk management and maintaining control frameworks
• Strong organisational, planning skills, and project management.
• Effective leadership skills with experience of supporting or managing others
• Good ICT skills, including Microsoft Office applications
• Commitment to continuous professional development

Desirable:

• Experience working within public sector pensions and particularly LGPS and FPS
• Knowledge of The Pensions Regulator’s General Code of Practice

This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated professional to play a key role in ensuring robust governance and compliance within a complex and evolving pensions environment.

We welcome applications from candidates who currently reside in the UK with established proof of right to work documentation. We are not able to offer sponsorship at this time for this role.

This job role is Level 12. Please locate the job profile here:

Job profiles - Corporate services

To hear more about this opportunity please contact Alyson.Sharpe@hertfordshire.gov.uk for an informal discussion about the role.

Interview Date: TBC

Benefits of working for us

How to apply

As part of your application, please upload your most recent CV. Ensure your CV is up to date with your employment history (including any employment gaps), and including any training/qualifications. We encourage you to include examples of where you have demonstrated the requirements/criteria in the advert / job profile to allow the panel to fully recognise your skills and abilities. You will have the opportunity to include a short covering paragraph within your application to give us a little more information about your skills, knowledge, and experiences.

Additional information

We are changing
Hertfordshire County Councilis undergoing Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). If you are employed by Hertfordshire County on 1 April 2028, it is expected that most roles will transfer to the newly-created unitary councils on existing terms and conditions under TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings – Protection of Employment) principles.

LGR is one of the biggest changes we will face in a generation. It will reshape how we work and how services are organised and gives us a real opportunity to build something better. To find out more, visit https://www.hertfordshire-lgr.co.uk/

Disability Confident
We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

English Fluency
The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post (for those whose language is a signed language the provision of a sign language interpreter who speaks English to the necessary standard of fluency will be required). Further information about the legal requirement can be found here.