Meraki Talent are working with a global investment bank, who are looking to appoint an experienced VP within UK Pensions & Governance.Purpose of the RoleTo develop, implement and provide robust governance oversight of employee retirement plans and benefits programmes, and to act as a trusted adviser in resolving related issues across the bank.Key AccountabilitiesLead the development, implementation and ongoing delivery of retirement plans and benefits programmes, aligned to the bank’s people strategy and supported by appropriate technology.Resolve escalated retirement and benefits issues raised by colleagues and people leaders, either directly, via HR operational teams, or through oversight of third-party providers.Ensure retirement and benefits programmes operate in full compliance with internal governance frameworks and all relevant external legislation and regulation, maintaining up-to-date knowledge of regulatory and legislative developments.Design and deliver communication and engagement activity to educate employees and managers on available retirement and benefit options, including pensions, health insurance and wider benefits.Conduct market research to inform retirement and benefits strategy, administration models and compliance approaches.Identify, appoint and manage external vendors and stakeholders responsible for administration and service delivery, providing expert advice and guidance to employees and people leaders where required.Provide governance and oversight of all cost elements associated with retirement and benefits provision, ensuring accurate forecasting, budget management, spend approval and monitoring of funding requirements.Vice President ExpectationsContribute to, and where appropriate set, strategy; define requirements; and make recommendations for change.Plan and manage resources, budgets, policies and processes, driving continuous improvement and escalating policy or procedural breaches where necessary.Where the role includes people leadership responsibilities:Define roles and responsibilities, plan for future capability and operational needs, coach and manage performance, and contribute to pay and reward decisions.Lead specialist teams to deliver both strategic and tactical priorities, balancing short- and long-term objectives while meeting budget and delivery commitments.Demonstrate inclusive leadership behaviours that enable colleagues to thrive and consistently perform to a high standard, aligned to the bank’s leadership expectations.Where the role is an individual contributor:Act as a recognised subject matter expert, setting technical direction and leading complex, multi-year initiatives.Guide and coach less experienced specialists, identify when additional expertise is required, and provide insight impacting long-term profitability, organisational risk and strategic decision-making.Governance, Risk and CollaborationAdvise senior stakeholders, including functional leadership teams and executive management, on functional and cross-functional impacts and alignment.Identify, assess and mitigate risks in support of the bank’s control and governance agenda.Demonstrate clear accountability for managing risk and strengthening controls within the scope of responsibility.Apply a strong understanding of the bank’s broader operating model to support the achievement of business objectives.Collaborate closely with aligned support functions to remain informed of business activity and strategic priorities.Develop solutions through sophisticated analysis, evaluating complex alternatives and applying interpretative thinking.Incorporate extensive research into problem-solving approaches to deliver innovative and effective outcomes.Build and maintain trusted relationships with internal and external stakeholders, using influencing and negotiation skills to achieve key business objectives.To Be Successful in This RoleExtensive experience managing risk frameworks for large UK occupational pension schemes.Strong working knowledge of UK pensions legislation and regulatory codes, including the Pensions Regulator’s General Code and Own Risk Assessment requirements.Proven experience advising trustee boards and executive teams, with excellent communication and governance capabilities.Demonstrated ability to identify and manage complex and emerging risks, including cyber security and data protection within pensions environments.