Pensions Administrator

Job summary

Salary: £25,842 per annum.
Band: UKRI Band B.
Contract Type: Fixed Term (12 months).
Hours: Full-time (flexible working available).
Location: Polaris House, Swindon - Regular office attendance is required, hybrid working available once fully trained.

Closing Date: Sunday 21st June 2026.

Job description

About JSS and the RCPS

JSS (Joint Superannuation Services) is responsible for the operational in-house administration of the Research Councils’ Pension Scheme (RCPS). The team deal with everything from the enrolment and joining of new members to retirements and then managing pensions in payment, as well as managing the finances of the scheme, member communications and our website. JSS are part of the Reward Team in UK Research & Innovation’s (UKRI) HR function. We’re a friendly close-knit team of 16, where everyone can feel supported and encouraged to share ideas and work to the best of their ability. We value respect and integrity and offer a flexible and compassionate work environment.

The role is predominantly office based, at the UKRI office in Polaris House, North Star Avenue, Swindon (behind Swindon New College-North Star Campus). There is the opportunity for hybrid working once you are fully competent in the role, but this will not exceed two days per week due to the nature of the job.

The Research Councils’ Pension Scheme (RCPS)

The RCPS is a multi-employer unfunded defined benefit public sector pension scheme. There are 16 employers participating in the scheme who account for approximately 5,000 active members. There are also 16,000 pensioners and 10,000 preserved members, in total a customer base of 31,000 members. More information about JSS and the Scheme can be found at http://jsspensions.nerc.ac.uk/.

Purpose of the role

We are looking for an experienced administrator to join our small pensions team where you will play a key part in the provision of excellent service to our large and varied customer base.

The role is in the service delivery side of JSS working in an administrative capacity predominantly providing a service to active and pensioner scheme members. Tasks are varied and require exceptional attention to detail with a keen eye for accuracy and ability to manage multiple deadlines simultaneously. Some prior knowledge of pensions would be useful but is not essential as full training will be provided.

The role requires all processes and activities to be completed within the service levels and expected standards specified in JSS’ Pension Scheme Administration Standards. You will be liaising with scheme members, their relatives, employers’ HR departments, payroll agencies and other third-party support companies on sometimes sensitive matters. You will typically work alongside other Membership Administrators and Pensioner Administrators as well as being expected to work with Managers and Senior Managers in JSS as required.

Your responsibilities

• Enrol new joiners into the pension scheme.
• Process pension forms and requests from members/pensioners/employers.
• Updating and maintaining information in the pension database, for example; address changes, change of name, change of hours, opt outs, death benefit and partner nominations.
• Calculate pension estimates and awards for retirees, early leavers, redundancy, etc. and where required deal with payroll/employer contacts regarding queries.
• Requesting/returning files to the off-site storage facility.
• Deal with enquiries (telephone, email and written) from a wide range of people including members, pensioners, solicitors and relatives.
• Liaise with employers as well as third party companies for payroll and finance payments.
• Communicate standard pension information, as required, to members.
• Ensure service level agreements are achieved in the processing of queries and administrative aspects and that data is processed in line with the relevant regulations, e.g. GDPR.
• The job holder will also be encouraged to contribute to identifying and improving processes as well as improving the service provided by JSS. They will also assist colleagues with other work as appropriate and carry out ad-hoc activities as required by the JSS management team.

Person specification

The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I).

Essential

• Excellent numeracy and attention to detail (S&I).
• Excellent prioritising and self-organisation skills with ability to plan ahead (S&I).
• Ability to follow detailed instructions (S&I).
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team (I).
• Good communication skills, both written and verbal (I).
• Competent in the use of Microsoft Office products, i.e. Outlook, Excel, Word (S).
• Experience of working in a customer service environment (S&I).

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £25,842, UK Research and Innovation contributes £7,486 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package. UKRI are committed to supporting employees' development and promote a culture of continuous learning!

A list of benefits below:

• Defined Benefit pension scheme.
• 30 days' annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent).
• Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities.
• Employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice.
• Flexible working options.

Plus, many more benefits and wellbeing initiatives that enable our employees to have a great work life balance!

For further information on our benefits please see:

Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

Please apply online, if you experience any issue applying, please contact Recruitment@ukri.org.

As this job does not fulfil the UK Government minimum criterion for obtaining sponsored migrant worker status we will be unable to apply for sponsorship for anyone not eligible to work in the UK. At interview, all shortlisted candidates are required to bring with them identification documents and original documents that prove they hold or can obtain the right to work in the UK. You can check your eligibility here: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa/y

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

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Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : UKRI Recruitment Team
• Email : Recruitment@ukri.org

Recruitment team

• Email : Recruitment@ukri.org