Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
Pensions Expert Advisor
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Leeds, London, Sheffield
Job Summary
The Private Pensions and Arm's-Length Bodies Directorate (PPALB) is responsible for implementing the Government's very ambitious reform agenda for workplace pensions. Having delivered the Pensions Schemes Act, the directorate is now working on a full programme of secondary legislation to set out the detail of the policies – in close collaboration with the regulators, industry stakeholders, and other Government Departments.
The directorate is also taking forward work to prepare for the Pension Commission's final report and prepare for another pensions bill to take forward any policies, as well as the policy implementation of the pensions dashboard.
Spanning both DB and DC workplace pensions, we are responsible for a system that manages hundreds of £ billions and supports millions of individuals in their retirement. We are a highly motivated group of people who put the interest of members at the heart of everything we do and we work with passion and in collaborative ways to deliver a very ambitious agenda. We're looking for a very motivated, knowledgeable, well-connected, and collaborative individual who can contribute to the work with their expertise and their network.
The pension reforms present a once-in-a-generation opportunity to ensure that people in the UK are able to retire with an adequate pension. This is a really important role at the heart of these reforms and we are looking for a motivated, collaborative expert who can get stuck in to help us move the agenda.
Job Description
The Government is taking forward an ambitious agenda of pension reforms and given the very technical nature of this area is looking for a pension expert who can work alongside officials to act as a trusted adviser to DWP Ministers.
This requires significant impactful personal leadership working collaboratively with senior officials in DWP, Ministers, other Government Departments, and external delivery and industry partners. This role will focus on the Government’s commitment implementation of the Pensions Schemes Act 2026 and the Government’s response to the Pension Commission.
The successful candidate will bring expert and external knowledge of Private and Workplace Pensions policy. They will have strong relationships with industry, think tanks, and the private sector and help build bridges into the Department. This is a highly technical and often complex policy area with significant economic and market implications. The postholder will have an in-depth understanding of the history, nuances, and potential future direction of this policy upon starting the role. However, above all, they will work with and through the policy teams to shape advice and feed into the development of policy in a collaborative and joined-up way.
The post holder will support colleagues with the implementation of the Pensions Schemes Act 2016 and the secondary legislation required.
They will bring expert and external knowledge to the Department in the following areas:
- Private and Workplace Pensions policy, including Defined Contribution schemes
- Long-term Ageing Society Issues
- Financial Inclusion
Person Specification
The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate their knowledge, experience, and skills against the following essential criteria:
Whole System Leadership And Policy Insight
Experience working at a whole system level, engaging with experts and stakeholders across Government, industry, and the wider pensions ecosystem to develop approaches grounded in a deep understanding of customers, markets, and the levers required to deliver positive outcomes—particularly within complex, economically significant areas such as pensions and financial security.
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Senior Stakeholder Engagement, Influence, and Ministerial Support
Has the personal impact to influence, built trusted relationships, and challenge at the most senior organisational levels, with experience of managing complex issues at Ministerial/Executive level.
Strategic Policy Leadership and Legislative Delivery
Significant experience leading high-profile, technically complex policy agendas, including pensions or related areas such as financial inclusion, ageing society challenges, or long-term savings. Proven ability to drive delivery of primary and secondary legislation (e.g., Pensions Bill), as well as overseeing large-scale, multi-stage policy reviews with wide-ranging economic and market implications.
Deep Technical Expertise in Pensions and Related Areas
In-depth understanding of the UK pensions system, including private and workplace pensions (such as Defined Contribution schemes and Local Government Pension Schemes), State Pension policy, and broader retirement outcomes. Strong grasp of the history, current challenges, and future direction of the pensions landscape, with the credibility to engage authoritatively with industry and external experts from the outset.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Leadership
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
Salary and Benefits
Alongside your salary of £86,000, Department for Work and Pensions contributes £24,914 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).
DWP has a broad benefits package built around your work-life balance which includes:
- Working patterns to support work/life balance such as part-time working, job sharing, flexible working, and compressed hours.
- Generous annual leave – at least 25 days on entry, increasing up to 30 days over time (pro-rata for part-time employees), plus 9 days public and privilege leave.
- Support for financial wellbeing, including interest-free season ticket loans for travel, a cycle to work scheme, and an employee discount scheme.
- Health and wellbeing support including our Employee Assistance Programme for specialist advice and counselling and the opportunity to join HASSRA, a first-class programme of competitions, activities, and benefits for its members (subscription payable monthly).
- Family-friendly policies including enhanced maternity and shared parental leave pay after 1 year’s continuous service.
- Funded learning and development to support progress in your role and career. This includes industry-recognised qualifications and accreditations, coaching, mentoring, and talent development programmes.
- An inclusive and diverse environment with opportunities to join professional and interpersonal networks including Women’s Network, National Race Network, National Disability Network (THRIVE), and many more.
Artificial Intelligence
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 withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
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Selection Process Details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
Application Process
To apply for this post, you will need to complete the online application process outlined below no later than 12 noon on Monday 3rd August 2026.
- A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years;
- A personal statement (maximum 1250 words), explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities, and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the essential criteria in the person specification.
Failure to submit both documents will mean the panel only have limited information on which to assess your application against the criteria in the person specification.
As part of the online application process, you will be asked a number of diversity-related questions. If you do not wish to provide a declaration on any of the particular characteristics, you will have the option to select 'prefer not to say'. All monitoring data will be treated in the strictest confidence and will not be provided to the selection panel. The information you provide when submitting your application will help us monitor our progress towards the Civil Service becoming the most inclusive employer.
Shortlist
A panel, including the hiring manager, will assess your application to select those demonstrating the best fit with the role by considering the evidence you have provided against the criteria set out in the person specification section of this pack. Failure to address any or all of these may affect your application.
The timeline later in this pack indicates the date by which a decision is expected to be made, and all shortlisted candidates will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible thereafter.
Interview
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend a panel interview in order to have a more in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out in the person specification. You may be asked to prepare a 5-minute presentation. Full details will be provided prior to the interview.
Your interview will be via a video call. The interview panel will be chaired by Kerstin Parker, who will be supported by additional panel members. The final panel interview will be a blended interview, covering Behaviours and Experience. A blended interview aims to be more of a conversation exploring the candidate’s capability for the role.
Shortlisted candidates may have the opportunity to speak to Kerstin Parker, prior to the final interview. This is an informal discussion to allow candidates to learn more about the role and is not part of the assessment process.
Offer and Feedback
Regardless of the outcome, we will notify all candidates as soon as possible. We will offer the opportunity to discuss feedback for all candidates who reached interview. A reserve list will be held for up to 12 months, which we may use to fill future similar vacancies for candidates who are considered appointable following interview.
Expected Timeline
- Shortlist Meeting: Week Commencing 10th August 2026
- Informal Discussions: Week Commencing 7th September 2026
- Interviews: Friday 18th September 2026
Reasonable Adjustments
At DWP we value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone,
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