Payroll & Pensions Manager

We are looking for an experienced payroll professional to take the lead on a role that is both hands-on and strategically important to the smooth running of Emanuel School. As Payroll & Pensions Manager, you will oversee the full payroll process for around 220 staff, acting as the school’s internal expert on payroll, pensions, and benefits. This is a key time to join us, as we prepare to review and retender our outsourced payroll provider. You will play a central role in that process while also helping us streamline and improve our in-house systems.

You will be responsible for overseeing and reconciling all aspects of the payroll function, from data entry and timesheet management to ensuring the correct application of PAYE, National Insurance, student loans and other deductions. Alongside this, you will help digitise and improve internal procedures, making the process more efficient and accurate.

To succeed in this role, you must hold a CIPP qualification and have strong knowledge and experience of payroll practices. You will need a solid understanding of accounting principles, alongside proven experience managing both payroll and pension administration. A high level of accuracy and attention to detail is essential, as is the ability to manage competing deadlines while remaining calm under pressure. Previous experience of working within a school or educational environment is not essential.

If you are looking for a role where you can apply your CIPP-qualified expertise, shape future processes, and be a trusted point of contact within a friendly, professional team, we would love to hear from you.

There is always a buzz at Emanuel. Colleagues enjoy their work and, like the pupils, are ambitious for the school. With a weekly staff briefing, half termly staff meetings, termly consultative group meetings and a common room committee, all of us are engaged in a lively ongoing dialogue about the school’s aims and aspirations. Everyone works hard here, and anyone joining us should expect to do the same and share our commitment to the highest standards. At the same time our ethos remains unpretentious, kindly and practical, and there’s a strong sense of community and friendship at the school.

We aim to look after our staff well: we have an appraisal scheme with a focus on employees’ professional development; we sponsor postgraduate courses and a range of training opportunities; we offer salary sacrifice childcare vouchers through TEDS Premier, we offer a healthcare plan via Simply Health that includes counselling and medical support; and we’re committed to supporting staff wellbeing. Financially, all staff benefit from good pension provision and free lunches.

The closing date for applications is Tuesday 3rd June 2025. Do note that interviews may be held at any stage after applications are received, so candidates are advised to apply as soon as possible. Please note that this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and is subject to a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check. Emanuel School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.