Pay, Reward & Employment Services Team Leader

My public sector client based in Durham requires a Pay, Reward & Employment Services Team Leader. The requirement is initially to December 2026, but the role will extend into the new year and also has the potential to go Permanent.

The hourly rate is £18.35 per hour, and the role is Hybrid. There will be an expectation to be office based 2 days per week, and the first week, will be full time office based to meet the team and learn processes.

Ideally, the candidate will be CIPD or CIPP Qualified to Level 5.

About the Role

The main purpose of the role is to be responsible for the day-to-day supervision of team members and workloads across the Pay, Reward and Employment Services function.

To prioritise, plan and supervise the work associated with a wide range of tasks fundamental to an efficient and effective service to all internal and external customers.

The post holder will be involved in the continual development of ensuring a flexible multi-skilled approach across the Pay, Reward and Employment Services function, ensuring individuals are suitably trained and motivated and that a high standard of service delivery is maintained.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Support complex HR/Payroll projects including Job Evaluation and the review and development of HR/Payroll systems.
• Take a lead role in the identification, development and planning to ensure the Pay, Reward and Employment Services function contributes to the HR strategy, policy and systems.
• Lead on the planning, implementation and review of corporate, service area and section business and actions plans.
• Plan and supervise the workload of the team on a day-to-day basis, including all employee contractual changes and accurate payroll information. This also includes organising constantly changing workloads to meet operational requirements. Ensuring targets/deadlines are met and escalating concerns where appropriate.
• Conduct regular supervision/121 sessions and annual appraisals with team members ensuring their development needs are met appropriately.
• Working closely with Services, assisting line managers/Head Teachers in relation to all contractual changes which occur during the lifecycle of an employee. These include but are not limited to Flexible Working requests, Honoraria, Family Friendly Policies etc.
• Ensure the provision of an efficient and effective Employment Services Helpdesk service which includes dealing with a wide range of customer queries regarding a multitude of issues relating to the Pay, Reward and Employment Services function, ensuring high levels of customer service.
• Supervise the day-to-day processing of all DBS renewal applications for schools during the employee lifecycle including escalating where there is conviction information included on DBS certificates to the appropriate Head Teacher.
• Dealing with first line requests for support and assistance from internal and external customers and ensure processing deadlines are achievable, payment timetables are optimal and where possible, system development and enhancements meet their needs.
• Effectively supervise the team in relation to the inputting and processing of payrolls (including supervising the balancing of all payrolls each period) ensuring that data is accurate and complete, all payments are made within agreed deadlines and procedures followed, taking appropriate corrective action if required. This includes for example, recording and maintaining records of timesheet, car mileage and court order information, recovery of overpayments.
• Support the Pay, Reward and Employment Services function to ensure a commercialized approach to retain and attract business which includes contributing to the production and submission of tender documents and the development of appropriate service agreements, monitoring performance against established goals and service standards. Monitoring performance of contracts and Service Level Agreements.
• Supervise and oversee the restructuring process working in conjunction with HR colleagues to ensure accurate and timely structural and post changes and issuing of contractual documentation.