Chief Operating Officer

About us

At Lothian Pension Fund (LPF), we administer the local government pension scheme (LGPS) in Edinburgh and the Lothians and are one of approximately a hundred LGPS funds in the UK. We’re an asset-backed and multi-employer scheme with around £10 billion of assets and the second largest LGPS fund in Scotland, serving approximately 93,000 members and 56 active employers.

Our goal is to deliver outstanding pension and investment services, to be a leader among UK LGPS, championing responsible investment, delivering great service to members and employers, and with a commitment to be a great place to work. This means we always need to look at how we do things differently, staying efficient and agile to meet our members' and employers' needs. 

The Opportunity

We are seeking a motivated and values-driven Chief Operating Officer to join us and play a pivotal role in evolving the future of our organisation. As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, the COO will hold one of the most critical positions within the business. With strategic oversight of Pension Operations Services, IT and Change, Human Resources, Communications, and Office Management, this role carries direct responsibility for approximately two-thirds of the organisation’s workforce. 

Reporting directly the CEO, the COO will act as a collaborative and trusted partner - someone who can influence, challenge, and motivate at all levels. The successful candidate will combine strategic vision with operational expertise, developing clear, forward-thinking plans while confidently engaging with day-to-day details. They will excel at translating Board and Executive objectives into actionable, efficient processes that deliver tangible results. As a natural leader and culture champion, the COO will inspire a positive, high-performance environment and skilfully guide the organisation through change with integrity and sensitivity.

The key responsibilities include:

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the business, ensuring that all core functions - including benefits administration, investment operations, employer services, and member services - run seamlessly and efficiently
• Partner with the Chief Executive and senior leadership team to shape and deliver the fund’s strategic goals, balancing long-term vision with short-term priorities
• Design, implement, and uphold robust operational policies, processes, and internal controls that exemplify best practice in governance, compliance, and risk management
• Align systems, workflows, and teams to provide outstanding service to members and employers; partner with the Head of IT to harness technology that drives efficiency and elevates service delivery across the organisation
• Provide inspirational leadership through times of change, championing innovation, driving productivity, and embedding a culture of continuous improvement
• Lead key operational projects, such as digital upgrades, system enhancements, and service redesigns, ensuring impactful and sustainable improvements
• Build, develop, and motivate high-performing teams, fostering an environment where people thrive and deliver their best
• Partner with the Head of HR to evolve and embed a dynamic People strategy that supports growth, development, and organisational agility
• Champion best-in-class client engagement and service excellence, creating lasting value and nurturing strong, trust-based partnerships with all stakeholders.

Lothian Pension Fund is committed to promoting a diverse, equal, and inclusive culture and welcomes applications from people of all sectors of the community.

For more information, and to apply, please contact Ben Carter-Fraser at Carlyle.