Hays
Payroll & Pensions Lead
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Payroll & Pensions Lead
Your new company
Our client is a well-established and forward-thinking education organisation supporting multiple schools across West Yorkshire. With a strong focus on collaboration, continuous improvement and employee wellbeing, the organisation is committed to delivering outstanding services that enable schools and their staff to thrive.
The organisation offers a supportive and inclusive culture where expertise is recognised and valued. Employees benefit from flexible working arrangements, professional development opportunities and the chance to make a meaningful impact across a diverse and growing multi-site environment.
Your new role
As Payroll & Pensions Lead, you will take ownership of the end-to-end payroll function, ensuring the accurate and compliant delivery of payroll services across a multi-site organisation.
Acting as the in-house payroll specialist, you will oversee relationships with third-party payroll providers, lead on payroll and pension compliance, and provide expert advice on payroll legislation, processes and best practice. You will also play a key role in driving continuous improvement, streamlining systems and modernising reporting processes.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Leading and overseeing the monthly payroll cycle.
- Ensuring accurate processing of salaries, benefits, contractual changes and statutory payments.
- Managing payroll compliance, audit requirements and HMRC reporting.
- Acting as the lead contact for Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS) and Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) matters.
- Preparing and reviewing pension returns and monthly contribution reports.
- Managing pension auto-enrolment requirements.
- Responding to payroll and pension queries from employees and stakeholders.
- Supporting year-end reporting and audit activities.
- Identifying opportunities to enhance payroll systems, processes and service delivery.
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What you'll need to succeed
To be successful in this role, you will have significant payroll experience and a detailed understanding of payroll legislation and compliance requirements. You will demonstrate:
- Experience managing a monthly payroll process from start to finish.
- Strong knowledge of payroll legislation and statutory payments including SSP, SMP and SPP.
- Excellent Microsoft Excel skills.
- The ability to interpret and apply payroll and pension regulations accurately.
- Exceptional attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy.
- Strong customer service and stakeholder management skills.
- Experience working with HR and payroll systems.
The following would be advantageous:
- CIPP qualification or equivalent payroll accreditation.
- Knowledge of Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS) and Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) administration.
- Experience working with outsourced payroll providers.
- Previous experience using iTrent HR and Payroll.
- Experience leading or mentoring individuals within a payroll function.
What you'll get in return
- Competitive salary of approximately £32,500 - £35,400.
- Flexible hybrid working arrangements.
- Opportunity to shape and improve payroll and pension services.
- A collaborative and professional working environment.
- Continuous professional development and training opportunities.
- The chance to build your career within a growing organisation where expertise is recognised and rewarded.
- A role with genuine ownership, autonomy and opportunity to influence future service development.
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What you need to do now
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.
If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.
Desired Skills and Experience
- Payroll Manager
- Payroll Lead
- Payroll Specialist
- Payroll & Pensions Manager
- Payroll & Benefits
- End-to-End Payroll
- Payroll Processing
- Payroll Administration
- Payroll Compliance
- HMRC
- RTI
- PAYE
- National Insurance
- SSP
- SMP
- SPP
- Auto-Enrolment
- Pensions Administration
- Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS)
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- Pension Returns
- Pension Compliance
- iTrent
- HRIS
- HR & Payroll Systems
- Payroll Reporting
- Payroll Audit
- Payroll Controls
- Workforce Data
- Payroll Reconciliations
- Excel
- Advanced Excel
- Process Improvement
- Continuous Improvement
- Stakeholder Management
- Shared Services
- Multi-Site Organisation
- Education Sector
- MAT
- Multi Academy Trust
- Finance
- Employee Benefits
- Customer Service
- Leadership
- Team Management
Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at hays.co.uk
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