Payroll & Pensions Manager

Pensions and Payroll Manager   
Hybrid – attached to our Solihull

Full Time, Permanent

Salary – Competitive plus benefits 

Serco is seeking a highly organised and proactive Pension Administration Leader to oversee the effective management and strategic direction of our diverse pension schemes. This pivotal role requires deep expertise in UK pension legislation, excellent stakeholder management skills, and the ability to provide valuable input on strategic activities such as bid submissions and TUPE transfers. If you are passionate about pension governance and enjoy working collaboratively across teams, this is the opportunity for you.

As part of this you will:

Pension Scheme Management:

• Serve as the primary contact for all matters relating to our Defined Benefit (DB) and Defined Contribution (DC) pension schemes.
• Act as the escalation point for the Pension Team managing day-to-day administration.
• Ensure full compliance with pension legislation, regulations, and scheme rules.
• Collaborate with third-party administrators, actuaries, investment consultants, and legal advisors to ensure smooth scheme operations.
• Oversee preparation and review of trustee reports, member communications, and statutory disclosures.
• Support the Pension Policy Committee (PPC) and contribute to its governance.
• Monitor scheme performance and funding, escalating concerns where necessary.
• Organise and attend trustee sub-committee meetings; provide comprehensive updates to the Group Head of Pensions & Financial Wellbeing.
• Ensure timely, accurate processing of member benefits including retirements, transfers, and death benefits.
• Maintain accurate member records and data integrity.
• Develop and deliver clear, engaging pension communications to employees.

Bid Work Support:

• Provide expert pension advice during tender and bid processes, including risk assessments, costings, and pension proposals.
• Analyse pension implications of acquisitions and disposals.
• Work closely with the bid team to ensure pension aspects are accurately reflected and compliant.

TUPE Transfers Management:

• Manage pension considerations in TUPE transfers both in and out of the organisation.
• Assess and ensure compliance with pension-related regulations during TUPE events.
• Communicate pension benefit changes effectively to affected employees.

Compliance and Governance:

• Ensure all pension activities adhere to UK legislation including the Pensions Act 2004, Finance Act, and GDPR.
• Stay abreast of regulatory developments and assess their impact on the schemes.
• Support internal and external pension audits.
• Contribute to the ongoing development of pension policies and procedures.
• Identify and implement efficiency improvements to benefit both the company and members.

What you’ll need to do the role:

• Proven experience managing occupational pension schemes (both DB and DC).
• Strong knowledge of UK pension legislation, regulations, and industry best practices.
• Experience working with third-party administrators, actuaries, and investment consultants.
• Demonstrable expertise in providing pension input for bids and managing TUPE pension aspects.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Exceptional organisational and time management skills, with an ability to manage competing priorities.
• Relevant professional qualifications (e.g., PMI, APMI) are highly desirable.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.

Why Serco:

Serco’s purpose is to impact a better future - we bring together the right people, the right technology, and the right partners to create innovative solutions that deliver positive impact and address some of the most urgent and complex challenges facing governments globally. Our services are powered by more than 50,000 colleagues working across multiple sectors including defence, space, migration, justice, healthcare, transport, and customer services in four regions: UK & Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East.

In this position, your work is vital to the business, in terms of decisions and growth. You will gain a world of opportunity working for a globally operating business delivering essential services across 5 vital sectors, personal growth, achievement, and development won’t be hard to find. You'll also work with great people. You’ll find yourself working in a highly motivated, supportive environment where no two days are the same, with experienced colleagues who strive for excellence.

What we offer: 

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Annual leave purchase scheme.
• Up to 6% contributory pension scheme
• Free onsite parking.
• Serco discounts which include cinema, merlin entertainment and online shopping discounts, and discounts on mobile phone plans and leisure centre memberships.
• A range of benefits to support the health and wellbeing of you and your family such as Employee Assistance Programme, Health Cash Plans, free flu jabs and more.
• A wealth of career development training to suit your future aspirations. These range from role specific training, leadership coaching, formal study and much more to support you to build your career with Serco.
• A safe and supportive culture.
• A company passionate about diversity and inclusion.

About Serco
At Serco, not only is the nature of the work we do important, everyone has an important role to play, from caring for vulnerable people to managing complex public services.  We are a team of 50,000 people responsible for delivering essential public services around the world in areas including defence, transport, justice, immigration, healthcare and citizen services. We are innovators, committed to redesigning and improving public services for the benefit of everyone.

By joining Serco you will have unlimited access to our Global Employee Networks – SercoInspire (Gender), SercoEmbrace (Multicultural), SercoUnlimited (Disability) and In@Serco (LGBT & Networks). Serco Employee Networks, led by colleagues who are passionate about diversity, inclusion and belonging. 

ApplyPlease click on the apply button to complete your application. Occasionally we receive a large volume of applications for our roles and when that happens we sometimes bring the closing date forward, so please apply promptly to avoid disappointment. 

At Serco, we see people first and foremost for their performance and potential. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that supports the needs of all. As such we will make reasonable adjustments at interview through to employment for our candidates and strongly encourage applications from a diverse candidate pool. We are open to discussions around flexibility and flexible working. We operate a hybrid work structure in many of our business areas. We are proudly Disability Confident Leader employers and holder of the Gold Inclusive Employer Standard. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview.  For help with your application please contact 0345 010 4000.  

At Serco we support fair access to employment for those with unspent criminal convictions through the ‘Ban the Box’ pledge (some may be exempt due to the nature of the role and the security clearance required). Please contact our recruitment team directly on 0345 010 4000 to discuss.