Careers at MI5, MI6 and GCHQ
Senior Pension Administrator
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Senior Pensions Administrator – Mission Enablers
Location(s)
London
Salary
£47,677, rising to £51,541 annually after 2 years
Working Arrangement
Office-based role with limited opportunities for home working. FlexibleWorking: recognition of work-life balance with options for part-time and compressed hours, with flexibility around start and finish times.
About Us: MI5’s Mission
MI5 safeguards the UK from serious threats, including terrorism and hostile state actions. Our work includes:
- Gathering, analysing, and assessing intelligence to disrupt threats
- Collaborating with MI6 and GCHQ to counter these risks
- Providing protective security advice to government, businesses, and organisations
A role at MI5 offers unique, challenging work in a supportive environment, directly contributing to national security.
The Role: Senior Pensions Administrator
Core Responsibilities
As a Senior Pensions Administrator, you will:
- Oversee pension processes and provide subject matter expertise to colleagues
- Balance high-volume casework, mentoring team growth, and process improvement
- Work at speed to maintain quality and operational efficiency
Key Tasks
-
Project Work:
- Implement problem-solving solutions
- Handle complaints and conduct extensive quality checks
- Coordinate multi-tasking between your own and your team’s workloads
-
Communication & Collaboration:
- Respond to queries from pay teams and senior leaders
- Share insights, guidance, and best practices across colleagues
- Collaborate with UK Intelligence Services and external partners
-
Team Leadership & Development:
- Train and mentor colleagues, fostering a culture of continuous improvement
- Drive operational excellence, enforce governance standards
- Contribute to shaping the future of remedy and project management in the pensions function
-
Accountability & Growth Initiatives:
- Own the growth of your department, promoting social impact through strategic efforts.
About You: Ideal Candidate
Essential Qualifications & Experience
- Pensions expertise and 2+ years’ experience in a similar role, preferably involving senior support
- Minimum 2 GCSEs at Grade 4 (C) or above in:
- Maths
- English Language (or equivalent Level 2 qualifications)
- Management experience
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Key Competencies
-
Administrative/Academic Skills:
- High-level accuracy and numeracy (spotting errors in calculations)
- Confident and adaptable communication for:
- Internal team support
- External relationship-building
- Briefings to senior leadership
-
Analytical & Problem-Solving:
- Handling complex retirement cases with precision
- Balancing work timelines with empathetic stakeholder management
- Organisational proficiency in environments demanding stakeholder coordination
Core Values & Traits
- Leadership: Ability to adapt, organize, and prioritize.
- Wellbeing Awareness: Prioritising team health within high-pressure demands.
Training & Development
Management Opportunities
- A Management Training Pathway tailored to professional growth.
- Development pathways across UK Intelligence Services.
- Access to tailored learning communities, support networks, and mentors.
Mobility Post-Year Four
Opportunity to explore internal roles beyond the Pensions section after 4 years.
Rewards & Benefits
**Financial
- Base Salary: £47,677 → £51,541 after 2 years.
- Salary progression and benefits include:
- Holiday Allowance: 25 days/year (30 after 5 years), 10.5 paid public/privilege holidays.
- Bonus: Recognition through the Employee Performance Scheme.
- Interest-Free Season Ticket Loan.
**Lifestyle & Wellbeing
- Excellent pension plan.
- Cycle-to-Work Scheme.
- Exercise facilities, on-site restaurant, coffee bars at select locations.
*Family & Leave
- Material parental and adoption leave paid provisions.
Equal Opportunities & Community Diversity
Mission & Inclusion Commitment
At MI5, diversity and inclusion enhance our mission as we counter threats requiring multifaceted perspectives. We embrace applicants from underrepresented backgrounds including:
- Women
- Ethnic minority individuals
- People with disabilities or neurodivergent characteristics
- Low socio-economic backgrounds
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Accessibility & Support
- Disability-Confident-certified employer (Leader Status).
- Reasonable accommodations available throughout recruitment.
- Policies ensure fair representation at interview stages for applicants fulfilling essential criteria.
Qualifying minimally for DV vetting, informational assessments include:
- Situational Judgement Test (SJT) for transferrable competencies.
- Proof of pensions experience (assessed during application sift).
Recognising remarkably different abilities underpins assessments.
Recruitment Process
Stages & Expectations
Progressive steps:
- Online Situational Judgement Test (SJT): Rating hypothetical responses.
- Application Sift:
- Checks reason for role appeal, evidenced skills, and timeline delivery.
- Interview: Examines competencies and experience mastery.
- Vetting Stage:
- Successful applicants offered a conditional employment role.
Duration: Applications may take 6–9 months.
Temporary Work: Continue existing roles until final job offer received.
Eligibility & Security Requirements
Nationality & Residency Restrictions
- Limited to British citizenship or dual-British nationals.
- Full criteria available on MI5 website.
Vetting & Security
- Highest UK security clearance—Developed Vetting (DV) required.
- Requires complete abstinence in recreational drugs throughout recruitment.
Recommendations
- Email: establish a non-identifiable contact address.
- Relocation:
- Relocation aid available (interest-free assistance for privately rented homes).
- Travel: Reimbursement for candidate expenses with process-related travel.
Submission Notes
- Application must commence remotely.
- Overseas applicants must initiate locally.
- Hypothetical right-to-withdraw notice.
Disclaimer: Closing dates may be expedited post-high-volume applications. Submit early to secure consideration.
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