SAUL Trustee Company (STC) is Trustee and administrator of the Superannuation Arrangements of the University of London (SAUL) The Scheme started in 1976 and was established to provide retirement benefits for non-academic employees of the University, although all staff are eligible to join. It now covers 49 colleges and institutions that have links with higher education in the south-east of England.

As the driving force behind SAUL, the CEO plays a pivotal role in steering the Executive Management Team (EMT) towards achieving SAUL’s vision: creating a sustainable and cost-effective pension Scheme that garners the appreciation of both our valued members and employers. This leadership position demands a commitment to ensuring the Scheme's impeccable compliance, stellar management, and robust governance.

The Role:

• Lead the collaborative development and alignment of the STC Business Plan with the COO and EMT, ensuring strategic vision integration, gain Board approval, and actively overseeing its implementation.
• Strategically manage budgets, foster an effective EMT to execute the Business Plan, provide advisory support to the Committees, and maintain a strong focus on risk mitigation, customer service, and a culture of continuous improvement. Sustain motivation through regular communication and champion an inclusive workplace culture.
• Drive strategic industry engagement by actively participating in relevant bodies and forums. Lead the development of efficient processes, ensuring full compliance with regulations, serve as the final authority in staff matters, collaborate on corporate governance, and continuously enhance technical knowledge for effective team performance.
• Continuously monitor and uphold high levels of member satisfaction with STC services. Develop and nurture strong, collaborative relationships with Employers, Unions and other key-stakeholders ensuring their engagement and satisfaction. Ensure timely delivery of professional Annual Reports and Financial Statements to the Board, maintaining up-to-date Committee documents.

The Person

• Strategic Visionary: - Proven experience in leading collaborative teams to develop and align business plans, demonstrating a strategic vision that integrates seamlessly with organisational goals. Track record of gaining board approval and successfully overseeing plan implementation.
• Financial and Operational Strategist: - Strong financial acumen with the ability to strategically manage budgets. A history of fostering effective executive teams to execute business plans, provide advisory support to committees, and maintain a focus on risk mitigation, customer service, and continuous improvement.
• Industry Leader and Governance Expert: - Demonstrated leadership in driving strategic pensions industry engagement through active participation in relevant bodies and forums. Extensive experience and knowledge of DB & DC pension arrangements with a proven ability to lead the development of efficient processes, ensuring full compliance with regulations.
• Stakeholder Relationship and Communication Expert: - Proven track record in continuously monitoring and enhancing member satisfaction. Strong ability to develop and nurture collaborative relationships with employers, unions, and key stakeholders, ensuring sustained engagement and satisfaction. Expertise in delivering professional reports and financial statements to the board, coupled with diligent maintenance of committee documents.

Knowledge & Skills

• Detailed knowledge of UK Defined Benefit (DB) final defined contribution (DC) money purchase pension scheme landscape and history and the different legislative structures of trust schemes.
• Comprehensive understanding of pension scheme management, including actuarial, administration, covenant, investment and legal.
• Understanding of the University sector, how it is funded, the challenges it faces, and the unique culture of the sector would be advantageous.
• Strategic leader of people, it is preferable that candidates have experience in a similar senior leadership position within the pensions industry. Experienced in engaging with key stakeholders and building effective working relationships.

Interested candidates should apply by submitting an email with a covering note explaining their suitability for the position to paul.battye@hoffmannreed.com.

Our retained executive search partner Hoffmann Reed is exclusively handling this role for SAUL Trustee Company. Any approaches either direct or via intermediaries to STC will be passed on to Hoffmann Reed for evaluation.