Pensions Advisory Data Specialist - Manager

KPMG’s Pensions Advisory business continues to build out its new pensions team, and requires individuals that can bring different skill-sets to the team.

We are looking for a talented and experienced Manager to join our team, who will be responsible for working closely with colleagues in the area of pensions data. Specific areas of focus, but not exhaustive, will include

• Data analysis and cleansing
• Working with stakeholders to put in place data improvement plans
• Data preparation in advance of transactions (e.g. buy-ins)
• Data audits
• Benefit audits and calculations
• GMP projects

As a Manager, you will be responsible for effective collaboration within teams and supervising the work of junior staff, providing coaching and development to assist them in the effective delivery of engagements.

Description of role:

• Day to day contact with internal stakeholders and supporting more senior team members with external client relationships.
• Helping to develop junior colleagues, including delivering technical training, improving technical knowledge, and developing consulting skills.
• Contributing to developing streamlined and efficient procedures, whilst maintaining an absolute focus on quality.
• Strong financial management, setting and delivering work to budgets and timely billing and debt collection
• Ability to identify out of scope work and bill
• Working in line with professional standards and KPMG quality procedures. 
• Drafting and checking reports for final sign off
• Directing and overseeing the work of engagement teams and team members, including reviewing their work (e.g. checking calculations and reviewing conclusions), and providing coaching and mentoring support.
• Performance managing team members, ensuring that you are having rich development conversations that supports their growth and career progression

Role Dimensions:

Technical core competencies required for the role

The relevant competencies for this role are:

• Pensions technical knowledge: Understands the technical aspects of defined benefit pensions, and associated pension regulations and legislation, with a particular focus on defined benefit pensions data and benefits. Exhibits and stays current on appropriate industry and specialised knowledge, and leverages KPMG methodologies.
• Data and technology skills: Ability to work with large and complex data sets in Microsoft Excel, and good knowledge of R, Python, VBA, Power Query, MS Access, and SQL.
• Software Development: Practical experience in programming with C# and developing applications using Power Apps.
• Professional scepticism: Applies professional scepticism, objectivity and independence to pensions actuarial and accounting work
• Documentation: Completes documentation and audit trails demonstrating an unwavering focus on quality and in line with the actuarial standards.

People & Culture

• Embrace and embed our culture ambition of high challenge, high support which is grounded in Our Values.
• Operate with a curious and sceptical mindset ensuring that this is embedded in your everyday work.
• Actively lead and embed a coaching culture to get the best out of others in an environment where everyone in the team feels empowered to speak up or challenge where appropriate.
• Be accountable, professional and act in the public interest, working for the benefit of shareholders of audited entities and wider society.
• Be inclusive and embrace the opportunity to work with other teams across the firm in an integrated way. Have a sense of community, purpose and fun.

The Person:

Experience and Knowledge Requirements  

• Relevant experience working in pensions advisory at Manager level, at either an employee benefit consultancy or other Big 4 firm. (E)
• Deep understanding of the importance of pensions data, and the key projects carried out in this space (E)
• Technical knowledge of defined benefit pension scheme valuations, roll forward methodologies and actuarial techniques. (D)
• Understanding of the wider UK pensions landscape, and the issues facing our stakeholders. (E)
• Knowledge of pensions funding and accounting regime (D)
• Experience of leading and performance managing teams, coaching and mentoring junior staff. (E)
• Experience of delivering benefit change, member options and end game journey planning. (E)
• Experience of delivering high quality, complex projects, including team oversight and stakeholder management. (E)
• Experience of managing and delivering projects such as benefit change, member options, end game journey planning, and scheme funding. (D)
• IT literate with sound knowledge and experience of MS Office tools (Excel, PowerPoint and Word). (E)
• Computer programming knowledge (e.g. R, Python VBA, Power Query, MS Access and SQL) and good knowledge of the use of AI in pensions (D)

Behavioural attributes and skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to communicate complex matters in a clear and compelling manner.
• Highly effective stakeholder management and relationship building skills; credible and confident with stakeholders at all levels. 
• Strong organisational and time management skills; able to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with conflicting priorities and deadlines.
• Self-driven and resilient; able to thrive in a high-pressure environment.
• Effective problem solver; makes pragmatic and logical decisions, drawing on own and others’ technical expertise to provide high quality solutions.
• Strong analytical and numerical skills; able to analyse and interpret complex technical statistical information, with a focus on quality, attention to details and accuracy in calculations.
• Effective team working skills; works collaboratively with others towards shared goals.

Qualifications:

• A qualified actuary, AIA, FIA or equivalent. (D)

E – Essential, D – Desirable