Pension Team Manager

Job overview

Due to ongoing service pressures, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an experienced Pensions Team Manager to provide immediate technical leadership within our Payroll & Pensions function.

This is a senior, operationally critical role requiring pensions expertise, strong reporting skills and confident leadership. The post holder will manage the day‑to‑day delivery of pensions services while working closely with experienced payroll colleagues to address the recognised links between NHS payroll and  pensions workload.

This role is not suitable for developing or trainee pensions candidates. We are specifically seeking someone who already has the technical knowledge, judgement and confidence to lead complex NHS pensions activity in a large organisation.

Significant experience in pensions administration, ideally within the NHS. Strong understanding of pension regulations and statutory requirements. Proven leadership experience, including staff management, development and performance oversight. Highly developed analytical and reporting skills. A clear understanding of payroll processes and their impact on pensions outcomes.

In return you will be a part of a friendly, supportive and experienced Payroll & Pensions team, Flexible working arrangements, including up to 50% home working, access to the NHS Pension Scheme and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a senior, influential role.

Main duties of the job

Day‑to‑day management of the Pensions Team, including Team Leaders and Pensions Officers.

Providing hands‑on technical oversight of pensions processing, ensuring accuracy and regulatory compliance.

Leading annual and monthly statutory processes including Annual Returns / SD55s, reconciliations and data submissions.

Acting as the main Trust contact for NHS Pensions and NEST.

Using strong payroll knowledge to identify, challenge and resolve root‑cause issues impacting pensions.

Producing, interpreting and presenting pensions performance and workload reporting.

Managing complex and sensitive cases, including ill‑health retirement, redundancy, MARS and death in service.

Leading service improvements, process development and the introduction of new systems or ways of working.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.

Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a Student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a Student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full time permanent contract unless you have:

-        applied for a Graduate visa

-        or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment

This vacancy will close at midnight on the 2nd August 2026.

Interviews are due to be held date to be confirmed.

Benefits to you

At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.

On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only café, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.

CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.

Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.

We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.