Lead Covenant & Financial Analyst

Role title: Lead Covenant & Financial Analyst (CFA)

Directorate: Market Oversight

Contract type: Permanent

Location: Brighton:
Hybrid (6 days per month in the office)

This is an opportunity to join our Defined Contribution (DC) and Master Trust (MT) Supervision team within the Market Oversight Directorate of the Pensions Regulator. You will report directly to the Director of DC MT and be a key part of the DC MT leadership team that is driving the approach to both individual scheme and prudential supervision for the trust-based DC and Collective Defined Contribution Schemes (CDC) market.

This is an exciting time to join The Pensions Regulator (TPR). Our corporate strategy outlines a bold and challenging vision of how pensions regulation should evolve to keep pace with a change in the scale and nature of the industry.

We are at the start of that journey. As we continue to embed a more prudential style of regulation defined by greater engagement with our regulated community and a deeper understanding of how their work effects the economy. Our Market Oversight team plays a critical role in leading the strategic relationships with pension schemes and funds and responding when things are not working as they should.

As a Lead Covenant and Financial Analyst in our DC MT Supervision team you will be responsible for acting as a mentor for our Covenant and Financial Analysts (CFAs) who are embedded in our Segment Team structure, providing subject matter expertise and leadership through your specialist financial analysis advice in relation to both master trusts as well as the supervision of CDC Schemes.

This also means being a part of the regulatory team who will build a robust supervisory framework for CDC schemes as they join the market. Additionally, your role will include contributing to policy work arising from the Pensions Schemes Bill 2025, CDC regulation, and other emerging areas of innovation in the marketplace.

We’re looking for a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in our DC MT team to:

• Lead the strategic approach to market engagement with schemes in relation to the soundness of their business plans and financial sustainability and planned investment in DC, or CDC through significant market innovation and change.
• Develop a best practice internal approach to supervision of schemes within DC MT, ensuring consistency where appropriate yet flexibility when needed to address risks.
• Act as a SME on financial analysis - develop members of the CFA team in business assessment, technical financial analysis, corporate activity and strategy in relation to CDC schemes, DC MT, emerging consolidation vehicles, and policy related work.
• Communicate key scheme and market risks, particularly in respect of financial sustainability, at the most senior level, internally and externally.
• Provide support the Director of DC MT and the senior leadership of the DC MT team on management, high risk Supervisory interactions and operational matters.
• Ensure effective communication and knowledge sharing between respective internal peer groups.
• Be a visible role model and mentor, support, coach, and empower colleagues to perform highly and achieve the best outcomes, with the ultimate responsible for the quality of the CFAs’ work.
• Build relationships with regulated entities, relevant industry bodies, other financial regulators and government departments.
• As a key member of our Market Oversight directorate, in time, you may also be required to input into advice on broader areas including Defined Benefit pension schemes.

• Pensions advisory professional
• Knowledge of pensions environment, strategic trends, risks and issues
• Ability to analyse financial data, understanding of corporate structures, business valuation techniques, capital structures, M&A
• Industry sector knowledge and experience / commercial awareness
• Project / programme management principles and techniques
• Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team, including managing and prioritising
• Experience of developing and motivating high performance teams
• Thorough understanding of the technical challenges and inherent risks associated with the DC pensions model at a member, sponsor, and provider level
• Thorough understanding of the relevant legislation and TPR’s objectives in this area
• Ability to effectively manage internal and external stakeholder relationships.

• Ability to prioritise and use initiative
• Calm under pressure
• Problem solving and analytical skills
• Communication skills at all levels
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Personable and a team player
• Ability to work within a matrix structure leading/mentoring a team of professionals
• Coaching skills

• Genuine opportunities for learning and development.
• Hybrid working and flexible shift patterns.
• A vibrant workplace with employee networks (Disability, Family, LGBT+, Minority Ethnic, Women’s).

We offer 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, a hybrid working model, 35 hour working week…