The Skills Employers Seek in Pensions Managers

The organisations recruiting ranged from county councils and government bodies to listed companies and private enterprises operating both domestically and internationally. Across the 40 roles reviewed, we identified more than 158 unique skill requirements, demonstrating the breadth of capabilities employers now expect from pension professionals.

For me, these findings underline how the pensions manager role has evolved. Technical knowledge remains essential, but employers are increasingly looking for individuals who can influence, collaborate and communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders. Pension schemes operate within a complex governance framework, and success often depends as much on relationship management and communication as it does on technical expertise.

Across all 40 vacancies reviewed, none referenced ESG or sustainability as a priority or consideration for candidates. Only one role, from an employer in the energy sector, made any mention of sustainable business practices.

I find this particularly interesting given the increasing prominence of sustainability within the pensions landscape and the wider regulatory environment. While pensions managers may not be responsible for investment strategy, they are often central to helping schemes navigate evolving governance expectations and stakeholder priorities.

Similarly, only two vacancies mentioned cyber security, while three referenced data protection. This is despite growing expectations on pension schemes to maintain robust cyber security arrangements, protect member data and ensure effective business continuity planning.

These findings suggest there may be a disconnect between some of the challenges pension schemes face and the skills being prioritised during recruitment. As schemes continue to evolve, I believe employers should be considering whether emerging areas such as cyber resilience, sustainability and data governance deserve greater prominence alongside more established technical and governance responsibilities.

Ultimately, the research demonstrates both the breadth of skills employers seek from pensions managers and the challenge of finding individuals who can successfully combine technical expertise, governance knowledge, commercial awareness and strong stakeholder management capabilities. It also highlights the importance of ensuring recruitment strategies continue to evolve in line with the changing demands placed on pension schemes.

At IGG, we work closely with pension schemes, trustees and employers to navigate an increasingly complex governance, regulatory and operational environment.

Find out more here on our Outsourced Pensions Manager offering.