Temporary Graduate Pensions Communications Governance & Employer Liaison Officer

Job Description

This is an exciting and challenging time for RCT Council as we continue to provide high-quality services while delivering value for money. The role of local government in shaping the future of local communities is more important than ever. Working in Local Government offers some of the most intellectually stimulating challenges, as we provide services that affect thousands of lives in many different ways.

Maximise Your Potential

RCT Council is preparing to recruit to its Graduate Programme, offering fantastic opportunities to work in a vibrant environment, learn new and transferable skills, meet people from a range of backgrounds and develop a professional career in Rhondda Cynon Taf.

All Graduate Officers will be supported to complete either a Level 4 Project Management qualification or job-related technical training (all fully funded) as part of the programme.

Pensions Section

The Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) is a national public service pension scheme and forms a valuable part of the pay and reward package for eligible employees. It is one of the largest pension schemes in the UK.

Rhondda Cynon Taf Pension Fund is one of 86 administering authorities for the LGPS. The Fund has over 80,000 members, including current contributing members (employed by around 70 different employers), deferred members and pensioners. The Pensions Section deals with every aspect of member pension benefits, from joining through to retirement.

The Scheme is governed by statutory and regulatory requirements, and the Rhondda Cynon Taf Pension Fund must maintain robust governance arrangements to ensure full compliance.

Who We're Looking For

We are seeking an enthusiastic and highly organised Communications, Governance and Employer Liaison Officer to join our busy Pensions Team. This new role will enhance the Pension Fund's communications and educational support for existing and prospective Fund members and employers. You will also act as a key point of contact for fund employers and support the Management Team in meeting essential governance requirements.

The primary focus of the role is communications, and we are looking for a graduate who can demonstrate strong, relevant skills that will complement the team.

You will work closely with the Management Team and senior colleagues to deliver against set objectives and deadlines.

You should:

• Have excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex information simply and clearly
• Be confident working with data and digital tools
• Demonstrate initiative, accuracy and strong attention to detail
• Be comfortable working with a range of stakeholders and building effective professional relationships
• Enjoy working as part of a team

Knowledge of pensions or the LGPS is preferable, but not essential — full training will be provided, including the opportunity to complete pension-specific qualifications.

Essential Criteria

A minimum 2:2 degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline, for example:

• Communications / Corporate Communications
• Public Relations
• Media & Communication Studies
• Journalism
• Digital Media / Digital Communications

Staff Benefits Package

• Tailored induction programme
• Ongoing support from a dedicated Graduate Co-ordinator
• Hybrid working opportunities
• Pension Scheme
• 26 days annual leave (Plus bank holidays)
• Financial management scheme
• Subsidised membership fees for Leisure Centres within RCT
• Vivup discount card for businesses

Protecting children and vulnerable adults is a core responsibility of all staff appointed to the Council.

The Council values diversity in its workforce. We are committed to ensuring that no unlawful discrimination occurs in the recruitment and selection process on the grounds of age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, transgender, including those with non-binary identities, religion or belief or pregnancy and maternity. We offer a number of staff networks for employees including the Allies Network, a Disability and Carers Network and Perthyn our LGBTQ+ Network.

An application submitted for this post in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application made in English.

As part of the Council's longer term objectives in relation to the Welsh language and its Workforce Planning Strategy, it is committed to a guaranteed interview scheme for Welsh-speakers of Level 3 and above. If you meet the essential criteria as identified in the person specification for the job and are a Welsh-speaker of Level 3 and above, you will be invited to interview if you choose to participate in the scheme.

In view of the large number of application forms which are currently being submitted, individual applications are not acknowledged. Consequently, if you do not hear from us within four weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application is unsuccessful on this occasion. In which case you are thanked for the interest you have shown in applying for a position within the Council.

In support of the Council's voluntary pledge to support the Armed Forces, the recruiter must always be prepared to ensure that applicants who have identified themselves as members of the Armed Forces including Service Leavers, Veterans or Reservists and who meet the essential criteria of the person specification are offered an interview.