PENSION SCHEME MANAGER and COMPANY SECRETARY CANDIDATE INFORMATION

Contents:

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Advert

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Job Description

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Person Specification

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Employee Benefits

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How to apply

PENSION SCHEME MANAGER & COMPANY SECRETARY Part-time (up to 25 hours per week) The Wine Society is one of the country's leading wine merchants and stocks more than 1,500 wines, ranging from £5.25 to over £500 a bottle. It is a mutual selling only to its members and exists purely for their benefit. Member satisfaction is paramount; maximising profit is not. Reporting directly to the Head of Finance, you will be responsible for the day to day management and administration of both our DB and DC pension schemes and for fulfilling all Company Secretarial duties. This is a standalone role in which you will organise and attend Trustee meetings, liaise with a complex group of stakeholders, monitor investment performance, prepare annual reports and demonstrate a hands-on approach to all related administration. Candidates must have recent experience in a similar role, ideally gained within an Industrial and Provident Society. Your current and in depth knowledge of pensions and associated legislation will be coupled with a keen focus on governance and best practice and this technical expertise will be balanced with highly developed communication and interpersonal skills. APMI status is an essential prerequisite and an ICSA qualification would also be beneficial.

THE WINE SOCIETY JOB DESCRIPTION Job title:

Pension Scheme Manager and Company Secretary (Part-time)

Department: Finance

Reports to: Head of Finance

Responsible for: No direct reports

Job purpose: To manage and administer the Society’s Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution pension schemes. To perform company secretarial duties as required by The Societies Rules and the Industrial and Provident Acts and administer HMR&C and licencing regulations and trademarks.

Main duties: Pension schemes: • Administer the day to day running of the defined benefit pension Scheme including maintaining accurate pension records, calculation of contributions, AVC’s, benefits, payments and group life arrangements. • Administration of the defined contribution pension Scheme. • Provision of data to the Actuary and communication of data from the Actuary to Trustees and scheme members. • Monitoring investment performance, adherence to the SIP and agreed derisking trigger points. • Organising dates and agendas and attending Trustee meetings and taking minutes. • Liaison and communication with lawyers, investment advisors, investment managers, auditors, actuaries and scheme members. • Preparation of annual reports and returns. • Provide knowledge and advice on scheme rules and pension regulations.

Company Secretarial: • Preparation of bank mandates, insurance forms and statutory returns. Administer committee remuneration calculations and other committee administration. • Carry out medical insurance, group life and share asset administration. • Coordinate trade mark administration and advice. • Ensure that Society Rules and statutory requirements relating to Industrial and Provident Societies are followed. • Prepare notices of AGM, attend AGM and prepare minutes. • Understand Society Rules, answer member queries and liaise with lawyers. • Provide knowledge and advice on premises licencing, Customs and Excise Duties and Tax Warehouses. • Provide knowledge and advice on trademarks and Society terms and conditions. • Data protection officer.

Accountability:

Health and Safety: All employees have a responsibility to carry out their work in a safe manner, reporting any incidents or problems to their Team Leader or Manager and taking all reasonable steps to minimise risk to both self and others. Variation: The Society reserves the right to make reasonable variations or amendments to the duties and responsibilities of the post holder at any time according to the needs of the business.

Prepared by: Richard Shorrocks August 2014

Agreed by:

Date:

PERSON SPECIFICATION Job Title

Pension Scheme Manager and Company Secretary

Department Attribute

Finance

Essential or Desirable

Assessment Method:

Experience 1. Defined benefit pensions administration 2. DC pensions administration 3. Pension trustee meetings 4. Dealing with actuaries, auditors lawyers and investment managers 5. Experience with changes and interpretation of pension trust deed 6. Company secretarial experience ideally with an Industrial and Provident Society and its rules 7. Duty and Excise 8. Data protection Knowledge & Skills 9. Numeracy 10. Literacy 11. Payroll 12. Excellent communication skills 13. In depth knowledge of pension regulations Qualifications 14. Associate of the Pensions Management Institute (APMI) 15. Member of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administration (ICSA) 16. Degree 17. A Levels Personal Attributes (attitude) 18. Positive 19. Motivated 20. Team player 21. Capable of working alone 22. Good attention to detail 23. Flexible

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EMPLOYEE BENEFITS At The Wine Society we are proud of our benefits package; here are some of the benefits you could enjoy as an employee: Holiday Holiday entitlement varies according to length of continuous service starting at 23 days and rising to 30 days per annum. You are also entitled to paid leave for Bank and Public Holidays. Holiday Purchase Scheme Employees may purchase up to one additional week of annual leave each year. Pension Plan We operate a Pension Plan to which both the employee and The Society contribute. These contributions are invested by external investment managers to create a fund for retirement. Life Assurance Life assurance is effective from the start of employment at the rate of four times salary. Private Medical Insurance Scheme All our employees are offered the protection of a private health insurance scheme currently operated by BUPA. It is ‘free’ to employees (although it is a taxable benefit) and you are able to include your partner and/or children at a discounted rate. Permanent Health Insurance This scheme is designed to provide the security of a continuing income if sickness or injury results in long-term absence. Staff Discount Employees are eligible to enjoy staff discount immediately upon joining. Simply Health (formerly HSA) Employees may contribute weekly or monthly to buy health benefits (e.g. optical, dental and maternity treatment). Company Sick Pay A comprehensive scheme; entitlements are linked to length of service. Staff Interest Free Loan Scheme The loan scheme is intended to allow staff to borrow money for expenditure that would not be classified as part of a regular household budget. Sports & Social Club The Social Club is run on a voluntary basis by employees for employees.

Childcare Scheme Childcare vouchers are available from a scheme operated in conjunction with Computershare Voucher Services. Car Parking Free on-site parking in Stevenage. Staff Restaurant Complete with TV and games area. Health Regular health checks and annual flu vaccinations are available to all employees.

Further details on all of the above benefits can be obtained from Human Resources upon joining The Society.

How to apply Please submit a comprehensive CV, detailing your most significant achievements, together with a covering letter that addresses the criteria in the person specification. It would be appreciated if you would also include details of your current salary package (or expectation) and details of any notice period required. Applications may either be emailed to [email protected] or posted to the address below:

Christine Morton Head of Human Resources The Wine Society Gunnels Wood Road Stevenage Hertfordshire SG1 2BT

Closing date for applications is Wednesday 11th February 2015 at 5.00 pm. Interview Dates: First Interviews

23rd and 24th February 2015

Second Interviews

3rd and 4th March 2015

Please do let us know in your application if you will be unavailable on any of these dates. Should you have any questions or wish to discuss any aspect of our recruitment process, please contact Christine Morton on 01438 761257.