Cheshire West and Chester Council, which is the administering authority for the Cheshire Pension Fund, is looking for an experienced pensions lawyer to provide advice to the Fund.

Details of the role can be found on the Council’s website at https://jobs.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/vacancy/lawyer-pensions-434152.html

Job Ref W1034 Legal and Governance

29.6 hours per week

Salary from £34,728 pro rata per annum to £47,292 pro rata per annum

Closing Date 8th February 2021

Cheshire West and Chester Council brings a fresh and energetic approach to providing top quality services for its many customers and communities. West Cheshire is a place where everyone can Thrive – through our core values of Teamwork, Honesty, Respect, Innovation, Value for Money and Empowerment.

We are looking for a talented senior lawyer to join our Legal team to support and advise the Cheshire Pension Fund.  The Fund has over  100,000 members and over 300 local employers, including local Councils, schools, colleges and town and parish councils.

You will be a qualified solicitor, barrister or chartered legal executive with relevant experience, an eye for detail and excellent client care skills. You will be responsible for providing proactive, solution focused legal advice and support to the Fund on a diverse range of areas including:

• admitted body status queries, admission agreements and employer exits

• pension benefit claims and the surrounding decision making process

• administering the Independent Dispute Resolution Processes by acting as the “Independent Person” for the Pension Administering Authority

• supporting the Local Pension Board and advising the Fund in relation to the Fund’s work

• advising on the LGPS Regulations in respect of investment strategies and the operation of the Fund generally

• advising on contractual documentation in relation to the Pension Fund’s instruction of specialist advisors and suppliers

Legal Services is a busy, supportive team. This role offers an interesting and varied workload and the support and encouragement to develop your potential. Our core values are those of the Council – Teamwork, Honesty, Respect, Innovation, Value for Money and Empowerment.

The role is 29.6 hours per week with a salary of £34,728 to £47,293 (Grade 10 or 11 depending upon experience) per annum pro rate. Currently as a team we are working from home and longer term, there will the opportunity to continue with flexible working arrangements. The Council offers generous leave allowances (25-30 days a year pro rate) and excellent pension provision.

If you would like further information regarding the role, please contact Anne.Greenwood@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk to arrange an informal chat.

Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. We may decide to close the advert before the closing date if we have sufficient applications so please do not delay in submitting your application.

The contractual work location for this role is listed above however you may be required to work from a range of work locations or sites within the Borough and may also be required to work from home, depending on the needs of the service.

Applicants using Internet Explorer have experienced issues uploading attachments (supporting information and CVs) in the past, so if you are using IE we would suggest that you use a different browser when you submit your application –  for example Google Chrome.

In your application you should ensure that you provide evidence of how you have demonstrated meeting the Council’s core competencies of Teamwork, Honesty, Respect, Innovation, Value for Money and Empowerment.

Please ensure you check the email account (including junk/spam boxes) from which you apply regularly as we will use this to contact you regarding your application.

If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date then it is likely that you have not been shortlisted on this occasion, however please do not be discouraged from applying again.

Cheshire West and Chester Council are committed to equality and diversity in employment.  Please click the Equality Policy for more information.

Cheshire West and Chester Council have adopted a Local Living Wage for our employees which means that all employees will receive a minimum of £9.30 per hour for all contracted hours.

For any technical enquiries please email Sourcingteam@ecwip.co.uk Please quote job reference number in all correspondence.