Principal Governance and Funding Manager
Salary: £81,199 per annum plus benefits and relocation allowance
South Tyneside Council (as Administering Authority for the Tyne and Wear Pension Fund)
Welcome from Paul McCann
Thank you for your interest in this role.
Serving more than 200 active employers, the Tyne and Wear Pension Fund is already a high achieving Fund; it is the fourth largest Local Government Pension Fund in England and Wales and is currently valued at £13.5 billion. It has over 190,000 members, including the five councils within the Tyne and Wear County area and Northumberland County Council.
Recently, we have announced a pensions administration shared service with the Teesside Pension Fund. This will see the Tyne and Wear Pension Fund providing pensions administration services for the Teesside Pension Fund, its members and employers. The shared service will be one of the largest operations in the Local Government Pension Scheme and this makes it a very exciting time to join us.
Despite our continued success, we are not complacent and we are looking to build on our existing reputation, as we seek to constantly improve and innovate. We are looking to rise to the challenge of meeting the increasing demands of the Local Government Pension Scheme as well as the wider pensions industry. As we look to continue this journey that is where you come in……
We are looking forward to recruiting a new Principal Governance and Funding Manager who will further develop our ambition and who will plan, implement and maintain our funding strategy as well as driving continuous improvement, and ensuring that appropriate governance arrangements are in place. This is a strategic and high-profile role which sits across the entirety of the pension fund and contributes towards the running of the pensions service overall. The role comes with significant autonomy but is well supported by an experienced Governance and Funding Team and the wider leadership team.
If this fast-paced commercial role sounds appealing, I would very much like to hear from you. Whether you have a background in pensions, finance or law, this superb role will provide an excellent platform for an ambitious individual who can fully appreciate the potential of where this role might take you in the longer term. Governance is very much a progressive area within the pensions sector and as such, this is an opportunity to be part of an innovative, forward-thinking team.
Fundamentally, I believe this is a fascinating opportunity, which will appeal to an enthusiastic and ambitious individual who can see the genuine potential of being able to play a pivotal leadership role at this very exciting time.
We are a strong performing authority, and you will be welcomed by a talented, passionate and high performing workforce. As this is a role I have previously held within the organisation, I am able to offer you my full support and guidance and I genuinely believe this is a fantastic opportunity for career development offering you the platform to have a fulfilling, challenging and successful career in a beautiful and accessible region.
I hope that this role will pique your interest levels, and that the information below will provide as much detail as you require. However, I would welcome conversations with candidates who would like to learn a little more from me. Please liaise with our recruitment partners at The Resourcing Solution who will be able to arrange a conversation.
Thank you and I look forward to receiving your application.
Paul McCann, Head of Pensions, Tyne and Wear Pension Fund
ABOUT THE ROLE
Job title: Principal Governance and Funding Manager
Location: South Shields / Hybrid working
Contract: Full-time / Permanent
Salary: £81,199 per annum plus benefits and relocation allowance
This is an important role which has responsibility for the funding strategy for the Tyne and Wear Pension Fund (the Pension Fund) and for monitoring and improving its’ governance arrangements. Forming a key part of the senior management team, you will work closely alongside the Head of Pensions, Principal Pensions Manager and Principal Investment Manager in shaping the overall strategic direction for the service. You will also work closely with the Fund Actuary and play a key role in setting the employer contribution rates as well as continuing to monitor their performance.
In brief, you will:
- plan, implement and maintain the funding strategy and ensure that the Pension Fund valuations are successfully delivered
- assist the Head of Pensions in ensuring that appropriate governance arrangements are in place at the Pension Fund
- provide an oversight and compliance function for the Pension Fund and ensure that appropriate policy documentation and records of compliance and breaches are maintained
- develop, monitor and maintain a contracts register and plan and deliver procurement exercises that meet service requirements
- manage and control the overall risk framework for the Pension Fund
- manage the Governance and Funding Office (including the Pension Fund legal team)
- assist and deputise for the Head of Pensions on funding, valuation, governance related matters and contribute to the overall strategic management of the Pensions Service
The role will require strong management and leadership skills, with the ability to communicate effectively and motivate others, leading by example.
Demonstrating passion and enthusiasm, you will have substantial experience of working at a senior level within a pensions, local government, audit, regulatory or financial environment. You will have the ability to plan and manage multiple concurrent projects and to set strategy so as to ensure successful implementation, and to provide a framework for the continuous improvement of the Pensions Service.
Ideally you will have a strong understanding of the Local Government Pension Scheme Regulations and associated legislation, including knowledge of the current issues and regulatory environment affecting a local government pension fund.
Your success in this role will rely on your ability to communicate confidently and effectively with a variety of different stakeholders, both internally and externally, who will have varying degrees of understanding of the pensions world. Knowing which language to adopt in order to ensure your message is understood will be very important.
In return you will be welcomed by a progressive, friendly and talented team. We encourage productive, flexible working and we will provide you with the technology you need to work from our office in South Shields and from home.
In addition to your salary, we offer a range of great benefits to help you financially make life a bit easier. From career average employer contribution pension scheme, a car leasing scheme, cycle schemes, and gym discounts.
Key documents
Job Description (.docx) [61 KB], (opens in a new tab).
Person Specification (.docx) [866 KB], (opens in a new tab).
Role Supplementary Information (.docx) [247 KB], (opens in a new tab).
Benefits of working for South Tyneside Council
Relocation Package (.docx) [119 KB], (opens in a new tab).
Pension Fund Report and Accounts
Pensions Structure Chart (pdf) [60 KB], (opens in a new tab).
South Tyneside Council is the administering authority for the Tyne and Wear Pension Fund (the Pension Fund). We are a strong performing Pension Fund, and we can provide you with the platform to have a fulfilling, challenging and successful career.
The Pension Fund is a high achieving Fund. It is the fourth largest Local Government Pension Fund in England and Wales and is currently valued at c£13.5 billion. It has over 190,000 members and 200 active employers, including the five councils within the Tyne and Wear County area and Northumberland County Council. It is very well positioned and is currently over 100% funded and is looking to maintain this position through the management of the funding and investment strategies. The Pension Fund is committed to being a responsible investor and has set an ambitious roadmap to achieving net zero carbon emissions.
A pensions administration shared service with the Teesside Pension Fund will become operational from 1 June 2025. This will see the Tyne and Wear Pension Fund providing pensions administration services for the Teesside Pension Fund. The shared service will be one of the largest operations in the Local Government Pension Scheme making this an exciting time to join us.
This corner of the UK is renowned for its friendly people and welcoming culture. Just 12 miles down the road from Newcastle, you might be surprised at how much the region has to offer. With excellent transport links by road, rail or air, the area is well connected and so it is quicker than you might think to get here from other parts of the UK.
With some of the most spectacular beaches in the region, and some wonderful open spaces, you are spoilt for choice when it comes to outdoor activities. You can sail, windsurf or swim, or just go to one of the many pleasure parks along the coast, then round the day off with fish and chips at a local café. If shopping is more your thing, South Shields market is worth a trip – or you can grab a bargain at The Barbour Factory outlet.
Housing here is less expensive than its neighbour Newcastle, and with some really pretty villages like Cleadon and Whitburn, you can enjoy living in a lovely place whilst still being able to pop up to the bright lights of Newcastle whenever you want. Thanks to the Metro system, there are fantastic transport links from South Tyneside to all parts of the north east, and it won’t cost you a fortune.
Contact us and apply now
For an informal confidential discussion about this opportunity, please contact Leanne Auton on 07815 028548 or email Leanne.Auton@northyorks.gov.uk from our recruitment partners - The Resourcing Solution.
Apply
To apply you can either complete the attached application form here or alternatively provide us with your CV including a supporting statement in one Microsoft Word document. To apply please send your CV including a supporting statement or application form in one Microsoft Word document to: Executive.ResourcingSolutions@northyorks.gov.uk
Please do not send PDFs.
We will not accept applications from agencies.
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