Head of Service for Pensions

Are you an experienced pensions professional with a passion for strategic leadership and public service? We have an exciting opportunity for you to join us as our new Head of Pensions, leading and shaping the delivery of our Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) across Dorset.

As the Statutory Senior LGPS Officer, you will provide clear strategic direction, ensuring alignment with corporate priorities and driving continuous improvement across the Pensions function. You will oversee all aspects of our £4.9bn pension fund’s operations, spanning investment, administration, and governance. You'll be a key member of the Resources Management Team, leading by example in terms of embedding the vision, values and behaviours of the council.

You will work closely with our c.£57bn asset management pool, LPPI to help shape the future of LGPS investment. Leading a talented, multi-disciplinary team, you will be supported with external investment advisors and be part of a collaborative partnership through LPPI.

You will be joining us at a pivotal time as we settle into our new pool and review our investment strategy, and implement the changes set out through LGPS fit for the future there is a real opportunity to help shape the future for Dorset Pension Fund and beyond through work across the sector.

What is involved?

In this pivotal role, you'll take the lead on a wide range of responsibilities that are central to the effective management and strategic direction of the Pension Fund, including:

1. Leading the development and delivery of the Pension Fund’s investment and funding strategies.
2. Managing relationships with external advisers, investment managers, and the LPPI pool.
3. Overseeing pension administration, systems development, risk management, and compliance with LGPS governance standards.
4. Advising the Pension Fund Committee and Local Pension Board, and reporting to relevant council committees.
5. Providing strategic support to over 120 employers in the Fund, ensuring high standards of communication and service delivery.
6. Leading on business planning, budgeting, and performance reporting.

What will I need?

You’ll bring experience managing budgets, leading diverse teams, and working in partnership both internally and externally to the organisation. A deep understanding of the Local Government Pension Scheme and the wider council context is essential.

Your experience will come with a relevant degree or professional qualification and a solid background in pension fund management, attained at strategic level. You’ll need strong leadership, change management, and organisational skills, along with high level financial acumen and political awareness.

Background reading

1. Local Government Pension Scheme: fund governance - GOV.UK
2. Dorset Pension Fund
3. Pension Fund Committee - Dorset Council
4. Local Pension Board | Dorset Pension Fund
5. About | LPPI

At Dorset Council, it's not just about the work we do, it's about how we do it. Hear directly from our employees about what makes Dorset Council special in this short video:

At Dorset Council, we are working together to create a fairer, more prosperous, and more sustainable Dorset for everyone, now and in the future.

We:

• provide essential services that support over 300,000 residents
• work in partnership to make a real difference
• value every role and the impact it has on our communities
• support our employees to grow, develop, and thrive

You will:

• be part of a team that works together for a better Dorset
• have access to a range of benefits and support
• receive training and development opportunities to help your career progress

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation where different skills, perspectives, and backgrounds strengthen both our council and the communities we serve.

We welcome applications from everyone and are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. If you declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role, we will offer you an interview. We also want our recruitment process to be accessible, if you need any reasonable adjustments, just let us know on your application.

This role is UK-based, and we will need to confirm your Right to Work as part of the appointment process. We use generic job descriptions and person specifications, so the job title in any attachments may differ from the advert. If needed, we will provide additional details in a context statement.

If you’re passionate about making a difference, we’d love you to join us.

Find out more about how to apply.