Payroll and Benefits Manager

Payroll and Benefits Manager

Location: Godalming, Surrey

Salary: £58,000 – £63,000 per annum

Closing Date: Friday 15 August 2025

The School is a leading coeducational independent school located on a picturesque 250-acre campus in Surrey. Established in 1611, they are committed to providing an exceptional education that empowers students to achieve their full potential in a supportive and inclusive environment. Their core values of kindness and belonging are fundamental to their thriving community.

The Role

The School seeks to appoint, for October 2025, a highly competent and experienced Payroll and Benefits Manager.

The role will manage payroll staff and report directly to the Finance Bursar. The role is responsible for overseeing and directing the family of schools’ payroll functions, ensuring accurate and timely processing of payroll and benefits compliance with Government regulations, and proper reporting and recordkeeping. This role involves collaborating with HR to streamline payroll processes and managing and implementing payroll systems. Ultimately this role ensures that employees are paid correctly and on time, ensuring compliance with statutory and contractual obligations and for providing key management information.

Key Responsibilities

• Managing and processing the payroll in an accurate and timely manner, across three payrolls, for around 825 permanent and temporary staff members including RTI submissions, PAYE, Apprentice Levy, National Living
• Wage, all end of year/ monthly returns and payments to relevant parties;
• Managing and administering pension schemes (Teachers’ Pension Scheme, and Group Personal Pension Scheme) including Contractual/ Auto Enrolment requirements and to a lesser extent the old defined benefit pension scheme. This includes liaising with advisors and preparation and submission of annual renewal and includes group life and group income protection.
• Calculation and processing P11D benefits in kind via the payroll and submissions of P11D where required.
• Point of contact for Payroll, Pension and Benefit queries, and responding in a timely manner
• Preparation of payroll related audit schedules for financial year end, Teachers Pension audit and Defined Benefit Pension administration and liaison with auditors and supply documentation as required managing payroll system upgrades, integrations, and process improvements.
• Payroll budgeting and forecasting
• Analysing payroll data for statistical purposes for example Gender Pay Gap Reporting and KPIs.
• Supervising and training payroll staff, ensuring accuracy and efficiency of team output.
• Coordinating with HR teams to ensure alignment between payroll and employee changes (recruitment, terminations, leavers, etc.).
• Preparing and filing monthly and annual payroll tax returns and reports (RTI, P11D, P60).
• Staying current on industry trends, tax law updates, and best practices in payroll management.

Skills and Qualifications

Essential:

• Hands on experience of processing and managing large in-house payroll and benefits;
• Knowledge of employment law and HMRC regulations and be committed to keeping up to date with new legislation;
• Salary sacrifice administration experience
• The ability to be flexible in their approach to working, have the ability to manage their time efficiently ensuring that all deadlines are met;
• The ability to communicate with staff at all levels is essential whilst exercising a high degree of professionalism;
• Computer literacy with intermediate/ advanced excel skills;
• Strong leadership and team management skills;
• The ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple priorities;
• A high degree of tact, diplomacy, and discretion.
• 5+ years of experience in payroll processing, with at least 2 years in a supervisory or managerial role
• knowledge of in-house payroll software systems
• in-depth knowledge of HMRC and other legislation related to payroll and tax regulations

Desirable:

• Experience within the education sector, knowledge of Teacher’s Pension and familiarity with term time working is desirable not bit essential. Basic bookkeeping knowledge.

Benefits

• Competitive contributory occupational pension scheme
• Death in service benefit up to the age of 70 (if not already included in occupational pension scheme)
• Single Membership of a private medical insurance scheme (subject to eligibility)
• Cash Health Plan currently provided by +Medicash
• Payment for eye tests for users of visual display screen equipment, and a contribution currently amounting to £50 to the cost of any corrective eye wear (normally claimable once every 3 years)
• Personal Accident insurance
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme
• School fee remission (subject to eligibility).
• Membership of the School Sports Centre
• Membership of the School’s 9-hole golf course at a reduced subscription
• Participation in a 'Cycle to Work’ scheme (subject to eligibility)
• Salary sacrifice on electric vehicles (subject to eligibility)
• Lunches, during your normal working day
• Free on-site parking
• Invitations to school productions and concerts throughout the year
• Use of the School Library to borrow books & other media
• Continuing professional development as part of their talent management programme.

To Apply

If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for this reputable School, please click apply to be redirected to their website to complete your application.