Head of Transitions

Head of Post Transaction Services

Location: Reigate or London (Hybrid - 50%)

Contract: Permanent

Hours: 35 hours

Purpose: The role will be responsible for managing our post‑transaction services, which include all aspects of transitions from contract signing to full data approval and handover. The manager will lead the transaction team, continually develop our proposition and capacity to support new business, including both small schemes and large transactions. They will ensure the flow of scheme transitions delivers the best possible outcome for the business and the customer, escalating issues as required and maintaining excellent stakeholder management throughout the process. The role holder will work with our Employee Benefit Consultants (EBCs) to ensure clear understanding of our processes and procedures, manage escalations and feedback for continual improvements, and agree process and timescales with trustees and internal key stakeholders to meet client commitments.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the overall transaction teams, providing direction and leadership to ensure adequate allocation of transitions across the teams and that customer expectations are always met.
• Work alongside the Head of Post Transaction Services to provide best‑in‑class service to customers, including trustees, EBCs and other stakeholders.
• Ensure appropriate levels of vetting and sign‑offs are in place across the teams so that data accepted and ultimately onboarded is accurate and delivers member benefits as specified.
• Act as point of contact for the Commercial team for any transactional or existing client queries, ensuring the required level of support is always available.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with EBC customers, acting as an escalation point for any issues that arise and keeping key stakeholders updated internally.
• Provide support to the commercial team for technical capabilities, insurer selection meetings and RFIs.
• Oversee the completion of effective project and stakeholder management across all transitions until the final premium is completed, communicated and settled, ensuring trustees have the best customer experience at all times.
• Review requests for data cleanse extensions where projects are not running in line with agreed timescales.
• Drive team motivation and engagement, providing clear progression opportunities and supporting the team with their development.
• Work with development teams to ensure scope and SMEs are provided to maximise the benefits that technology and system deliveries can provide.
• Ensure the transition team is part of the technical journey, embracing and utilising new technology.
• Provide accurate and timely management information for all committees as required.

Qualifications

• Proven planning and organisational skills with the ability to plan scheme transitions and manage a diverse workload.
• Ability to work independently and to tight deadlines, maintaining exceptional standards of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Good understanding of the life and pensions industry, in particular DB pensions and the DB de‑risking market.
• Good negotiation and influencing skills, with the ability to work with both trustees and EBCs to drive scheme transactions through to conclusion.
• Excellent verbal, written communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate at all levels and present our capability externally in a clear and concise manner.
• Excellent problem analysis and resolution skills.
• Strong project, people and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience working in a transition or relationship‑management role within a DB de‑risking team, either with a DB de‑risking company or a TPA providing administration to a de‑risking company.
• Experience working in the pensions industry for a similar organisation.
• Proven experience working with transitions within the larger end of the market is desirable.
• Experience working with both trustees and EBCs in an oversight and relationship‑management capacity with evidence of driving scheme transitions through to conclusion.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, pension scheme and life assurance.
• 25 days annual leave plus an additional day on your birthday.
• Private medical cover and income protection.
• Generous and highly achievable bonus scheme.
• Opportunities to progress your career in‑role and within the company.
• Free access to the Headspace app, 24/7 employee assistance helpline and trained physical and mental health first aiders.
• A variety of employee‑funded benefits available via our online benefits portal.
• Additional purchase options available for you and your loved ones.

Company Culture

We’re ambitious, curious and collaborative, and every decision we make centres around delivering the best outcomes for our customers. We value diversity of thought and foster a sense of belonging, working towards a brilliant employee experience and supporting a wide range of initiatives around inclusion and belonging.