Salary: £25,842 per annum. Band: UKRI Band B. Contract Type: Fixed Term (12 months). Hours: Full-time (flexible working available). Location: Polaris House, Swindon - Hybrid working available with regular office attendance. Closing Date: Sunday 21st June 2026. Employees applying for any opportunity which may mean being away from your substantive role for a temporary period of time, please refer to the Recruitment Policy for further information in the first instance. If you are made an offer, please ensure you liaise with your Line Manager and the designated HR Team as soon as possible in order that implications of any move are clear and understood, prior to a move taking place. About JSS and the RCPS JSS (Joint Superannuation Services) is responsible for the operational in-house administration of the Research Councils' Pension Scheme (RCPS). The team deal with everything from the enrolment and joining of new members to retirements and then managing pensions in payment, as well as managing the finances of the scheme, member communications and our website. JSS are part of the Reward Team in UK Research & Innovation's (UKRI) HR function. We're a friendly close-knit team of 16, where everyone can feel supported and encouraged to share ideas and work to the best of their ability. We value respect and integrity and offer a flexible and compassionate work environment. The role is predominantly office based, at the UKRI office in Polaris House, North Star Avenue, Swindon (behind Swindon New College-North Star Campus). There is the opportunity for hybrid working once you are fully competent in the role, but this will not exceed two days per week due to the nature of the job. The Research Councils' Pension Scheme (RCPS) The RCPS is a multi-employer unfunded defined benefit public sector pension scheme. There are 16 employers participating in the scheme who account for approximately 5,000 active members. There are also 16,000 pensioners and 10,000 preserved members, in total a customer base of 31,000 members. More information about JSS and the Scheme can be found at http://jsspensions.nerc.ac.uk/. Purpose of the role We are looking for an experienced administrator to join our small pensions team where you will play a key part in the provision of excellent service to our large and varied customer base. The role is in the service delivery side of JSS working in an administrative capacity predominantly providing a service to active and pensioner scheme members. Tasks are varied and require exceptional attention to detail with a keen eye for accuracy and ability to manage multiple deadlines simultaneously. Some prior knowledge of pensions would be useful but is not essential as full training will be provided. The role requires all processes and activities to be completed within the service levels and expected standards specified in JSS' Pension Scheme Administration Standards. You will be liaising with scheme members, their relatives, employers' HR departments, payroll agencies and other third-party support companies on sometimes sensitive matters. You will typically work alongside other Membership Administrators and Pensioner Administrators as well as being expected to work with Managers and Senior Managers in JSS as required. Your responsibilities Enrol new joiners into the pension scheme. Process pension forms and requests from members/pensioners/employers. Updating and maintaining information in the pension database, for example; address changes, change of name, change of hours, opt outs, death benefit and partner nominations. Calculate pension estimates and awards for retirees, early leavers, redundancy, etc. and where required deal with payroll/employer contacts regarding queries. Requesting/returning files to the off-site storage facility. Deal with enquiries (telephone, email and written) from a wide range of people including members, pensioners, solicitors and relatives. Liaise with employers as well as third party companies for payroll and finance payments. Communicate standard pension information, as required, to members. Ensure service level agreements are achieved in the processing of queries and administrative aspects and that data is processed in line with the relevant regulations, e.g. GDPR. The job holder will also be encouraged to contribute to identifying and improving processes as well as improving the service provided by JSS. They will also assist colleagues with other work as appropriate and carry out ad-hoc activities as required by the JSS management team. Personal Specification The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I). Essential Excellent numeracy and attention to detail (S&I). Excellent prioritising and self-organisation skills with ability to plan ahead (S&I). Ability to follow detailed instructions (S&I). Ability to work independently and as part of a team (I). Good communication skills, both written and verbal (I). Competent in the use of Microsoft Office products, i.e. Outlook, Excel, Word (S). Experience of working in a customer service environment (S&I). Benefits We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package. UKRI are committed to supporting employees' development and promote a culture of continuous learning! A list of benefits below: Defined Benefit pension scheme. 30 days' annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent). Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities. Employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice. Flexible working options. Plus, many more benefits and wellbeing initiatives that enable our employees to have a great work life balance! For further information on our benefits please see: Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Please apply online, if you experience any issue applying, please contact Recruitment@ukri.org. As this job does not fulfil the UK Government minimum criterion for obtaining sponsored migrant worker status we will be unable to apply for sponsorship for anyone not eligible to work in the UK. At interview, all shortlisted candidates are required to bring with them identification documents and original documents that prove they hold or can obtain the right to work in the UK. You can check your eligibility here: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa/y UKRI - UK Research and Innovation UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation. Supporting some of the world's most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation. More information can be found at www.ukri.org. Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI. How we support EDI in the workforce At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit 'How we support EDI in the workforce'. Disability Confident Employer As users of the disability confident scheme, any candidate who opts into the scheme and best meets the essential criteria, will be shortlisted for interview. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation. How to apply Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the 'experience' section of the application. UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion - a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us. Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be rejected and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. As part of the pre-employment checks there is a requirement to undergo Baseline Personnel Security Screening. BPSS is a pre-condition of employment and failure to achieve it may mean that the employment offer is rescinded. UKRI reserves the right to run, or re-run, security clearance as required during the course of employment.