DB Pensions Implementation Manager
WTW · Reigate
The DB Pensions Implementation Manager plays a central role in transitioning services for new clients into OneDB and delivering impactful projects for our existing client base. This is a varied, hands-on role combining project management and close collaboration across teams.
OneDB, WTW’s blended service proposition for small to medium sized DB pension schemes, represents one of our fastest-growing areas of business in the UK. At its heart OneDB offers a ‘one-stop-shop’ approach to administration, actuarial and investment services underpinned by the latest technology. Such is the success of OneDB that, in the last year, we have won over 13 new appointments.
Sitting within our Retirement business and reporting to a Senior Director, you will be responsible for ensuring all onboarding delivery milestones are met, tracking and reporting on progress in relation to data installation, payroll set up, calculation automation and admin go live readiness. Acting as functional manager for all install team members, you will work closely with our expert sub-teams across Data, Calculations and Transitions, assigning tasks to them and holding them to agreed quality standards and timescales. You will also act as the primary point of contact with the ceding administrator.
In addition, you will work in close partnership with the OneDB Service Transition Programme Manager to agree the implementation project plan for each client install and will be responsible for ensuring install team deadlines are met, or where delivery is delayed, that mitigations are put in place to ensure the overall service transition is not put at risk. Whilst the Service Transition Programme Manager is responsible for managing the client relationship throughout the onboarding and early stabilisation stages, you will support them by providing transparent progress updates and supporting with client queries as necessary. You may also be asked to join client meetings from time to time to provide more detailed updates on the transition.
In addition to new client onboards, you may be called upon to manage a range of projects for existing clients, such as GMP equalisation, buy-in/buy-out readiness, benefit rectification, scheme mergers, wind-ups and other pension change initiatives. In doing so, you will coordinate colleagues across multiple lines of business, together with administrators, actuaries and external partners.
This role will suit someone with strong project management skills gained in pensions project delivery, ideally with experience managing administration system installations, and who enjoys the challenge of troubleshooting complex issues.
Why This Role is Exciting
- Work with a wide variety of pension schemes
- Be part of a growing team, contributing to new project areas and strategic initiatives
- Opportunity to develop deeper knowledge in specialist DB project areas such as actuarial valuations, GMP Equalisation and de-risking transactions
- A dynamic role that blends project delivery with problem-solving and cross-functional leadership
This role may occasionally require travel for face-to-face team, delivery and client meetings.
The majority of our colleagues work in a hybrid style, with a mix of remote, in-person and in-office interactions dependent on the needs of the team, role and clients. We understand flexibility is key to supporting an inclusive and diverse workforce and so we encourage requests for all types of flexible working as well as location-based arrangements.
The Role
- Own the end-to-end delivery plan for activities undertaken by the install team for each individual onboard, adhering to milestones within the implementation project plan as agreed with the Service Transition Programme Manager at outset
- Assign deliverables to expert sub-teams across Data, Calculations and Transitions, holding colleagues to agreed quality standards and deadlines
- Act as the point of contact with the ceding administrator, managing the flow of data and information throughout the onboard, setting the milestones and ensuring the ceding administrator delivers the data as set out in the milestones document
- Provide functional direction to all colleagues involved in delivery, including non-core teams such as actuarial and P&DS, aligning workstreams and resolving competing priorities
- Manage risks, issues and decisions throughout the onboard, maintaining a clear record and escalating promptly where quality or timescales are at risk
- Report transparently on progress at individual client level to the Programme Manager, supporting client queries and stakeholder communications as required
- Provide hands-on delivery support through implementation, transition and stabilisation to ensure a high-quality onboarding experience
- Work with client consultants and internal specialists on technical requirements, particularly benefit clarification