Main Purpose: HR Business Partner
Provide specialist leadership and governance for all pension and medical retirement processes and related matters across Essex and Kent Police to ensure fair, timely and compliant decisions under the Police Pension Schemes and LGPS, manage complex casework and support Scheme Managers with statutory responsibilities, and maintains effective operation of the Pension Boards.
Represent both forces in medical appeals and complaints, develop and refine policies and operating models, and provide expert insight, regulatory compliance, and national liaison. The role oversees data, reporting and required change activity, including legislative reform, while managing the HR & Pension Adviser to ensure consistent, high-quality service delivery on a day to day basis.
Main Responsibilities: HR Business Partner
*Act as the Essex and Kent Pension Authority and lead for both forces on managing and delivering the medical health retirement process for both officers and staff, ensuring compliance with all Police Regulations, employment law, Police Pension Regulations () and Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) regulations to ensure fair, accurate, and timely decisions on retirement and injury benefits, ensuring compliance with legal requirements and organisational policies.
*Manage and resolve complex pension and medical retirement casework, ensuring full compliance with Police Pension Scheme and LGPS regulations including overseeing medical appeals, discretionary pension decisions, forfeiture cases, IDRP complaints, and ill-health retirement assessments. Develop, apply and promote effective policies, procedures and governance standards to deliver a consistent, equitable and professional HR and pensions advisory service for both officers and police staff.
*Maintain Pensions Boards for Kent and Essex forces and in conjunction with the Head of Payroll and Pensions and the Chairs of the Boards, act as principal liaison in order to ensure all the requirements and responsibilities of the Board are discharged appropriately.
*Provide professional advice and guidance to the Chief Constables of Kent and Essex of ensuring compliance with the Police Pensions Scheme () regulations. This extends to compliance with The Pension Regulator (TPR) code of practice and respond on behalf of the Chief Constables to any requests/directions made by the TPR.
*Provide authoritative advice and guidance to Scheme Managers, delegated scheme managers and senior stakeholders on all aspects of medical retirement and pension related policy, procedures, and governance, ensuring full compliance with statutory responsibilities and Police Pension Scheme regulations. Work closely with the Head of Payroll and Pensions to supply accurate information required for regulatory compliance, including alignment with The Pensions Regulator’s Code of Practice.
*Act as the force representative for Essex and Kent Pension Authority in respect of medical appeals (PMAB), work with and act as a key contact for the pension administrators for the Essex and Kent Pension Authority regarding medical retirement and on behalf of the delegated scheme manager (Essex and Kent) investigate and medical retirement pension complaints appertaining to the Police Pension Scheme and in respect of LGPS complaints (IDRP either stage 1 or 2) ensuring professional and appropriate support to the Delegated Scheme Manager.
*Lead the development and refinement of medical retirement and pension related processes, policies, and operating models for Essex and Kent, providing clear direction, communication, and change leadership across both forces. Act as an advocate for effective practice through engagement with stakeholders including staff, staff associations, and trade unions, while maintaining robust communication channels and shared resources. Oversee key statutory responsibilities, including the statutory review of medical retirement pension allowances, and provide accurate reporting and assurance to the Scheme Manager on progress and outcomes.
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Necessary Experience: HR Business Partner
The postholder will act as the professional lead for Public Sector Pension Governance and Compliance across the Essex and Kent Police Pension Authorities, requiring substantial expertise in public sector pensions and the capability to address complex governance challenges on behalf of the Scheme Managers (Chief Constables). They will bring a deep and current understanding of Police Pension Schemes, legislative change, and the operational demands involved in administering complex public sector pension arrangements.
Educated to degree level (or possessing equivalent degree-level experience), the postholder will also hold a payroll/pension/HR qualification such as CIPP, PMI or equivalent, or MCIPD.
They will demonstrate a proven track record of over 10 years’ experience in pensions governance, policy development, and the management of statutory pension responsibilities, supported by credible experience advising Chief Officers, senior leaders and delegated Scheme Managers. This includes resolving complex people-related matters and providing corporate oversight of pension administration.
The role requires someone highly effective at managing substantial and varied workloads, working with autonomy, meeting demanding business and change-management requirements, and managing multiple cases simultaneously.
HR Business Partner Strong organisational, interpersonal and influencing skills both written and verbal are essential, with the ability to communicate sensitively and robustly on confidential and complex pension issues.
HR Business Partner Experience negotiating with trade unions, federations and staff associations is also required, along with a strong understanding of the national policing environment and the credibility to engage confidently with Chief Officers and internal and external stakeholders at Executive level.