Main Purpose:
Provide specialist leadership and governance for all pension and medical retirement processes across Essex and Kent Police, ensuring fair, timely and compliant decisions under the Police Pension Schemes () and LGPS. Manage complex casework, support Scheme Managers (Chief Constables) in meeting statutory responsibilities, maintain effective Pension Boards, represent both forces in medical appeals and complaints, lead policy and operating model development, ensure regulatory compliance including The Pensions Regulator (TPR) Code of Practice, oversee data and reporting, manage legislative reform changes, and supervise the HR & Pension Adviser to ensure high-quality service delivery.
Main Responsibilities:
*Act as Pension Authority lead for medical retirement processes for officers and staff, ensuring compliance with Police Regulations, employment law, Police Pension Regulations and LGPS regulations.
*Manage complex casework including medical appeals (PMAB), discretionary decisions, forfeiture cases, IDRP complaints and ill-health retirement assessments.
*Maintain Pension Boards for Kent and Essex, acting as principal liaison to ensure statutory requirements are fulfilled.
*Advise Chief Constables and Scheme Managers on Police Pension Scheme compliance and respond to TPR requests.
*Provide authoritative guidance on pension policy, governance and statutory responsibilities.
*Lead development and refinement of pension and medical retirement policies, processes and operating models.
*Analyse and interpret medical retirement data and management information to identify trends and inform strategy.
*Liaise with NPCC, payroll, employee relations and stakeholders on regulatory updates and legislative reform, including the 2026 Police Reform White Paper.
*Undertake statutory reviews of medical retirement pension allowances and report on outcomes.
*Manage and quality assure the HR & Pension Adviser’s workload and performance.
Necessary Experience:
*Professional lead experience in public sector pension governance and compliance, with extensive knowledge of Police Pension Schemes and LGPS.
*Degree-level education (or equivalent) with CIPP, PMI, MCIPD or similar qualification.
*Over 10 years’ experience in pensions governance, policy development and statutory pension responsibilities, advising Chief Officers and senior stakeholders.
*Strong organisational, analytical, influencing and communication skills, with experience managing complex and confidential matters.
*Experience engaging with trade unions, federations and staff associations, and operating within the national policing environment at executive level.