XPS Group is a leading UK consulting and administration business specialising in the pensions and insurance sectors. At XPS, our vision is to create a vibrant place to work where difference is recognised as a strength and where talented people can flourish and achieve their highest potential.

Our Self Invested Pensions business continues to grow and we are now looking for an experienced and professional SSAS Pensions Consultant to join our vibrant and new Manchester office with hybrid working. This is an exciting role and would most likely suit someone with previous experience in a similar SSAS pensions role where they have gained knowledge and experience of SSAS pensions schemes, able to check junior members work and portfolio management.

A FTSE 250 company, XPS combines expertise and insight with advanced technology and analytics to address the needs of over 1,400 pension schemes and their sponsoring employers on an ongoing and project basis. We undertake pensions administration for over one million members and provide advisory services to schemes and corporate sponsors in respect of schemes of all sizes, including 88 with assets over £1bn.

The Role

As a SSAS Pensions Consultant with XPS you will:

• Provide an excellent customer service and keep our clients at the heart of everything we do
• Use SSAS-pro and SIPP-pro and other computer systems to check and update records including the daily work log
• Attend client meetings as and when required
• Proactively suggest improvements to the team’s work processes, aiming to improve client service and efficiency
• Check work for fellow colleagues and recognise good work
• Provide coaching, training and guidance to fellow colleagues and take ownership of issues identified and checking all types of work
• Process pension contributions
• Transfer benefits and/or the administration and trusteeship to/from another provider
• Close/wind-up a pension account or scheme
• Process new bank account and investment account applications
• Deal with setting up new loans and on-going administration of these
• Provide comments on member’s pension policies
• Provide information to third parties
• Deal with property purchases and sales
• Provide reports and information to HMRC and FCA
• Divorce issues
• Death Benefit issues
• Fee Management
• Ensure all compliance and SIP process are followed at all times
• Be able to follow the complaints process and be able to overcome client’s objective and deal with difficult situations
• Participate in project work
• Actively liaise and feedback to team manager regarding staff, technical and risk issues
• Support your manager and provide management cover as and when required
• Assist with the reallocation of work with the team to cover absence and to ensuring service standards are met

Your Profile

Essential Criteria

• Previous pensions experience within SSAS is highly desirable
• Good level of education with a minimum GCSE Grade C/ Level 4 in Maths and English or equivalent
• Excellent Communication Skills
• Strong Problem Solver
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Programs including Word, Excel and Outlook
• Strong Team Player

What We Offer

We offer an attractive reward package, typical benefits can include:

• Competitive salary
• Participation in annual discretionary Bonus Scheme
• 25 days holiday plus flexibility to buy or sell holiday
• Flexible Bank holidays
• Pension scheme, matching contribution structure
• Healthcare cash plan
• Flexible Benefits Scheme to support you in and out of work, helping you look after you and your family covering Security & Protection, Health & Wellbeing, Lifestyle
• Life Assurance cover, four times basic salary
• XPS Rewards (offers High Street discounts and savings from retailers and services providers as well as offers available via phone)
• Employee Assistance Programme for you and your household
• Access to a digital GP service
• Paid volunteering day when participating in Company organised events
• Staff referral scheme when you introduce a friend to XPS

We continuously strive to build an inclusive workplace where all forms of diversity are valued, including age, background, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, race, religion or sexual orientation.