Job Description
Job title: Pensions Team LeaderLocation: LondonSalary: £59,028Flexible working: due to the sensitive nature of the work, this is an office-based role withlittle to no opportunities for home working. We recognise the importance of a good work-life balance and offer part-time and compressed hours, with flexibility around start andfinish times.
About usMI5 keeps the country safe from serious threats like terrorism and attempts by states toharm the UK, its people and way of life. We carry out investigations by obtaining, analysingand assessing intelligence, and then work with a range of partners, including MI6 and GCHQto disrupt these threats. Through our protective security arm, we provide advice andguidance to government, businesses and other organisations about how to keep themselvessafe. A role in MI5 means you’ll do unique and challenging work in a supportive andencouraging environment, making a real difference to UK national security.
The roleAs Pensions Team Leader, you’ll oversee a growing team and drive change across ourPensions department. You’ll identify ways to strengthen our processes and motivate yourteam to provide a great service, growing their knowledge and experience along the way.It’s a data-driven role where continuous improvement is key. From data reporting and day-to-day projects to system development and change, your primary focus will be on futuresuccession and planning. You’ll have a varied workload and work with a range of colleagues,stakeholders and external organisations such as HM Treasury and the Cabinet Office.Managing multiple inboxes and sharing insights into the department’s work, you’ll lead byexample and collaborate on projects designed to improve our pension service.The work will be fast paced. So, maintaining team wellbeing is of high importance. Whetheryou’re compiling data and providing MI to stakeholders, giving advice on challenging casesor being the go-to for complaint escalation, you’ll nurture a supportive environment whereeveryone’s input and ideas are welcomed. Plus, it’s an expanding team, so you’ll have plentyof opportunities to share your knowledge with those keen to learn and build a career in thisfield.This is an opportunity to apply your knowledge to the challenge of leading a busy, high-pressure department, where you can embed new and improved processes that’ll impact ourwork for years to come.
About youYou’ll have a minimum of 4 years’ experience in a similar role, plus at least 12 months’experience in a leadership position. This will be supported by an existing knowledge ofpensions, project management, and operational planning and delivery, as well as managing
and optimising pension systems to ensure efficiency, data cleansing and MI reporting. You’llalso have a minimum of 2 GCSEs at Grade 4 /C or above in mathematics and Englishlanguage (or an equivalent Level 2 qualification). You’ll be confident in the technical side of things, used to working with numbers, andcomfortable training and advising your team on performing calculations. You’ll bepassionate about continuous improvement; someone who values quality and knows how todrive it within a team. Whether you’re identifying training needs, supporting your team’sdevelopment or having a say in future pensions system design, you’ll be proactive andfuture-focussed in your approach. And of course, you’ll be IT systems literate.
Training and developmentWe’re passionate about your personal development, so we have lots of ways to help growyour skills. You’ll have the option to complete internal and external training courses,including CIPD (subject to places), and we’ll support you with funding and time away fromwork to study if needed.As a line manager, you’ll be offered a Management Training Pathway. Plus, you’ll haveaccess to internal training courses available from any of the UK’s Intelligence Services, aswell as access to internal communities, support networks, and mentors.You’ll be expected to stay within Pensions for your first 4 years, after which time, you’ll beable to apply for roles across the organisation.
Rewards and benefitsYou’ll receive a starting salary of £40,428, plus other benefits including: 25 days’ annual leave automatically rising to 30 days after 5 years' service, and anadditional 10.5 days’ public and privilege holidays opportunities to be recognised through our employee performance scheme a dedicated development budget an interest-free season ticket loan an excellent pension scheme a cycle to work scheme facilities such as a gym, restaurant and on-site coffee bars (at some locations) paid parental and adoption leave
Equal opportunitiesAt MI5 diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission. To protect the UK, we need a trulydiverse workforce that reflects the society we serve. This includes diversity in every sense ofthe word: those with different backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, gender identities, sexualorientations, ways of thinking and those with disabilities or neurodivergent conditions. Wetherefore welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including those from groupsthat are under-represented in our workforce such as women, those from an ethnic minoritybackground, people with disabilities and those from low socio-economic backgrounds.
Find out more about our culture, working environment and diversity on our website:https://www.mi5.gov.uk/careers/diversity
We’re Disability ConfidentMI5 is proud to have achieved Leader status within the Department for Work and Pensions'Disability Confident scheme. This is aimed at encouraging employers to think differentlyabout disability and take action to improve how they recruit, retain and develop disabledpeople. As a Disability Confident Leader, we aim to ensure that a fair and proportionatenumber of disabled applicants who best meet the essential minimum criteria for thisposition, will be offered an interview, if it is practical for us to do so. (This is known as theOffer of an Interview.) To secure an interview for this role, the minimum criteria (in order ofapplication process) are:1. a minimum of 2 GCSEs at Grade 4/C in mathematics and English language (or anequivalent O-Level, BTEC or Level 2 qualification)2. you must demonstrate an understanding of pensions from previous workundertaken 3. you will be required to meet the minimum pass mark for the questions whichexplore your motivation to work for the organisation and this particular roleThere is a wide range of extra support available throughout the recruitment process toenable you to do your best, see our website for information on reasonable adjustments wecan offer.
What to expectOur recruitment process is fair, transparent, and based on merit. Here is a brief overview ofeach stage, in order:1. application sift, looking at your motivation and skills for the role and theorganisation. There will also be a competency question2. an interview, assessing competencies, skills and experience relevant to the role3. if successful, you will receive a conditional offer of employment and then proceed tothe vetting stagePlease note, you must successfully pass each stage of the process to progress to the next.Your application may take around 6 to 9 months to process including vetting, so we adviseyou to continue any current employment until you have received your final job offer.Before you applyTo work at MI5, you need to be a British citizen or hold dual British nationality. You can readour full eligibility criteria on our website.This role requires the highest security clearance, known as Developed Vetting (DV). It’ssomething everyone in the UK Intelligence Community undertakes. You can find out moreabout the vetting process on our website.
Please note we have a strict drugs policy, so once you start your application, you can’t takeany recreational drugs and you’ll need to declare your previous drug usage at the relevantstage.Before you apply, we advise you to consider setting up a separate email address for yourcontact with us, to ensure your personal and application correspondence remain separate.Try to avoid having identifying features in your email address, such as your first and/orsurname and date of birth. This is good practice and will help you to manage yourapplication with us more securely.The role is based in London, so you’ll need to live within a commutable distance. Pleaseconsider any financial implications and practicalities before submitting an application. Aninterest-free loan is available to assist with relocating into privately rented accommodationto take up the offer of employment.Please note, you should only launch your application from within the UK. If you are basedoverseas, you should wait until you visit the UK to launch an application. Applying fromoutside the UK will impact on our ability to progress your application. You should notdiscuss your application, other than with your partner or a close family member.
Right to Withdraw Statement:Please be aware that we reserve the right to bring forward the closing date for this rolefrom the original closing date once a certain number of applications have been received.Please be mindful of this and submit your application at your earliest convenience to avoiddisappointment.