Skills and experience:

• Proven track record in managing end-to-end payroll processing in a large/complex organisation, including payroll run, BACS production, RTI submissions and costing ledger interfaces.
• Ability to lead and oversee payroll, pensions and employee benefits functions, ensuring accurate and timely payments to employees and sold-service customers.
• Skilled in interpreting and applying pay, pensions and benefits legislation, including HMRC and Pensions Regulator requirements, and data protection in a payroll context.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage staff, including recruitment, performance management, attendance management, training and development, mentoring and supporting staff, including apprentices, and to develop skills and performance.
• Proficient user of HR Information Systems (e.g. iTrent or similar) and document management systems for payroll and HR processing and record keeping.
• Able to produce and use management information and key performance indicators to monitor and improve payroll, pensions and benefit services.
• Proven ability to review, streamline and improve processes and procedures to achieve efficiencies and enhance service quality.
• Confident in working with internal and external auditors on payroll and pensions and implementing audit recommendations.
• Skilled in working with internal customers and other external organisations, including maintaining and developing sold services and income streams.
• Able to contribute effectively to budget monitoring processes, including accurate financial interfaces and correct processing of recharges and third-party payments.
• Track record of initiating, leading or actively contributing to HR/payroll -related projects and implementing agreed recommendations.
• Able to provide clear, accurate advice and guidance to directors, managers and employees on pay, pensions and benefits policies, procedures and systems.
• Knowledge and understanding of local government payroll and pension arrangements.
• Good level of IT proficiency, including confident use of Microsoft Office (particularly Excel) to analyse data, produce reports and present management information.

Qualifications:

• CIPP qualification (Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals) or equivalent payroll/pensions professional qualification, or ability to demonstrate equivalent level of knowledge through substantial relevant payroll/pensions experience.
• Management/leadership training or qualification (e.g. ILM or equivalent).

Equalities

• Knowledge and awareness of the Equality Act 2010 and how it applies to this job.
• Ensure that equality issues are identified, promoted and managed in all areas of your work.

Personal qualities:

• Strong analytical and problem -solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex information, identify issues and develop practical solutions in a payroll context.
• Ability to prioritise and organise own workload and that of the team to meet strict and recurring payroll and statutory deadlines.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail in all aspects of work, particularly in processing and checking payroll and pension information.
• Well -developed verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to explain complex and sensitive pay and employment issues clearly to non -specialists.
• Ability to build, lead, motivate and develop a team, creating a culture of high performance, customer focus and continual improvement.
• Ability to build and maintain positive working relationships with colleagues, managers, trade unions, external customers and suppliers.
• Ability to negotiate, influence and gain co-operation from managers and stakeholders to ensure compliance with policies, procedures and legislation.
• Commitment to delivering high quality customer service and to resolving queries and complaints promptly and effectively, including undertaking root cause analysis.
• Commitment to personal continuous professional development and keeping up to date with payroll, pensions and benefits legislation and best practice.
• Willingness to work flexibly to meet critical payroll and service deadlines, in line with Client's policies.
• Able to work collaboratively as part of the wider HR management team and to represent HR Shared Services at internal and external meetings/committees.

If shortlisted, a recruiter from the team will contact you within 24–48 hours for an initial discussion. The call will come from a Manchester number (either 0161 or +44 161).