Civil Aviation Authority
Pensions Manager
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Salary: £54,000 up to £62,500 per annum dependent upon experience
Contract Type: Permanent, Full-time
Security Level: BPSS
Location: Aviation House Gatwick – min 2 days in the office per week or 8 days across a month.
Visa Restrictions: This position does not offer visa sponsorship
Closing Date: 13th September 2026
Interview Date: 21st and 25th September 2026
We are the UK's aviation and aerospace regulator and recognised as a world leader in its field. Our activities are diverse, enabling the aviation industry to meet the highest safety standards, and we pride ourselves on our ability to adapt to the constantly evolving aviation environment.
The Role
The successful candidate will provide support to the Head of Reward & Employee Relations and Head of Corporate Finance & Operational Services through the provision of expert pensions advice to ensure accurate and timely governance in line with legal requirements. They will raise the profile of pensions as a benefit to CAA colleagues, through education and awareness, ensuring the offering is appropriate, takes advantage of the opportunities provided by existing and new legislation and delivers choice where possible. As part of this role the Pensions Manager will ensure pensions are well-understood by all colleagues, allowing them to manage their long-term financial stability.
Core Accountabilities
- Be the CAA’s internal subject matter expert on all pension-related matters, in the context of our open defined contribution (DC) scheme (CAAPPP) and closed to new members, defined benefit (DB) pension scheme (CAAPS).
- Manage the governance processes for both the defined contribution (DC) and defined benefit (DB) schemes, working with the CAAPS team and attending Trustee meetings where appropriate as CAA representative. Work with the external pensions adviser to arrange DC Governance Committee meetings, including agenda planning, supporting the drafting of papers, managing minutes and actions.
- Develop, draft and take ownership of pensions policy for the CAA.
- Prepare, draft and assist with the presentation of papers for ExCo, the Audit & Risk Assurance Committee (ARAC) and/or People Committee as appropriate.
- Provider Oversight: Work closely with third-party administrators, including our external Pension Advisor EY and Legal and General, our defined contribution pension scheme provider to ensure sound governance and scheme management, to promote awareness of risks and opportunities and to develop and execute strategies and plans to manage the CAA’s risk, take advantage of opportunities that arise and promote maximum benefit for CAA colleagues. Promote maximum benefit for CAA colleagues within the Board approved CAA pension framework.
Defined Contribution (DC) – CAAPPP – Current Scheme
- Develop and implement a clear DC pensions and long-term financial health strategy, in collaboration and partnership with our external pension’s advisor, currently EY. Pay particular attention to the CAA’s response to the planned changes to salary sacrifice limits in April 2029.
- Manage the DC scheme as a benefit, ensuring all colleagues have regular clear and up-to-date communications e.g., oversee clear employee presentations, and benefit updates to ensure pension options are well-understood and utilised.
- Work with the Reward and Wellbeing teams to link pensions with long-term financial wellbeing.
- Manage the relationship with the CAA’s external pensions adviser (EY) and our DC pension scheme provider (L&G), ensuring timely and accurate advice on all pension’s matters.
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Defined Benefit (DB) – CAAPS – Closed Scheme
- Lead on strategy planning and execution in relation to the Civil Aviation Authority Pension Scheme (CAAPS) defined benefit scheme, to support the articulation and management of risk. Consideration, costing and planning of the different options, working with the CAA’s external pensions advisers to deliver clear and manageable plans and agreeing the approach with internal stakeholders. Leading the execution of strategy.
- Manage the CAA’s understanding of and interactions with the active defined benefit population, providing communications, regular up-to-date reporting and proposals for any changes in approach. Ensuring liaison with the CAAPS and payroll teams, as appropriate.
- Be the expert to support colleagues with pensions queries, liaising with Payroll as required.
- Compliance & Auto-Enrolment: Ensure accurate company contributions, data protection, and legal updates for automatic enrolment.
Decision Making
- Be the primary decision maker on pensions policy matters, referring to the Head of Reward & Employee Relations as appropriate.
- Support with management of the budget available for the procurement of external pensions advice.
- Work with the Head of Reward & Employee relations and Head of Corporate Finance & Operational Services to develop and implement pension strategy and policy.
Influencing
- Influencing the Head of Reward & Employee relations and Head of Corporate Finance & Operational Service on the formulation and development of pensions strategy as well as creation and interpretation of policy.
- Influencing with ExCo Directors (especially Chief Financial & Operating Officer and Director of People & Culture, but as required also Chief Executive Officer and potentially Non-Executive Directors) in support of strategic direction.
- As the CAA’s internal subject matter expert on pensions, on occasion you may be required to give presentations to ExCo and, potentially, ARAC/People Committee.
- Attendance and presentation at Employee Forum and Trade Union meetings as required, including responses to questions and ownership/delivery of actions.
Management
This role will not have direct people management responsibilities but will be expected to show leadership across the Reward & Employee Relations Team as well as, when appropriate, the wider People & Culture team.
About You
- Detailed knowledge and understanding of UK pensions legislation, Trust law, and HMRC rules in relation to pensions.
- Strong experience with both DC and DB scheme structures, including knowledge of defined benefit scheme governance practices. Excellent knowledge of defined contribution pension schemes and their maximization as an employee benefit.
- Clear communication abilities to explain complex financial and legal details to non-pension specialists
- Excellent numerical, analytical, problem-solving skills and reporting (Excel, Power BI)
- A confident and credible presenter.
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Additional Information
For many appointments within the CAA, these roles require access to operationally sensitive infrastructure and/or Nationally Protected information. For these roles the post holders must undergo National Security Vetting and achieve the appropriate level of clearance.
To be vetted you must have the right to work in the UK so that meaningful checks can be undertaken.
If you do not meet these requirements, we may not be able to accept your application.
For more information on CTC and SC clearance please visit - Vetting explained - GOV.UK
For more information on BPSS clearance please visit - BPSS clearance
The CAA values high ethical standards and personal integrity among employees. If invited for interview you will be asked to complete a declaration of interest.
Relocation & Property
The CAA will be relocating from Aviation House (Our Gatwick Office) to new premises in a few years’ time. Our move is driven by strategic, operational and environmental considerations.
We will be moving to a new local home, up to a 15-mile radius of Aviation House, to minimise disruption for our valued colleagues and customers.
We are now working with colleagues and visitors to understand what we need in our new office, before we start our property search. We will sell Aviation House and land, vacate the site and move to new premises, but we do not expect to move before 2028
Inclusive Recruitment
We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcome applications from all backgrounds. As a Disability Confident employer, candidates who meet the minimum requirements will be guaranteed an interview. Find out more about the Disability Confident Scheme. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.
Use of Artificial Intelligence by candidates in the CAA recruitment process
We recognise that many of our candidates find Artificial Intelligence to 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 rejected on that basis.
Working With Us
Explore What We Offer section on our careers website to find out about our benefits and how we support work-life balance.
Our Values
Do The Right Thing, Never Stop Learning, Build Collaborative Relationships, Respect Everyone – For more information please Click Here
Closing Date: 13th September 2026
Interview Date: 21st and 25th September 2026
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
No recruitment agencies please.
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