Trust Payroll Officer | Alpha Academies Trust | SCH-AIAT-0426 in London

The Alpha Academies Trust (AAT) is looking to recruit an experienced Trust Payroll Officer to work in our busy team. Applications are invited from candidates who have excellent organisation, customer service and payroll experience. You will have the dedication and enthusiasm to be part of a thoroughly committed team. Applicants must be computer literate and proficient in the use of Word and Excel. Knowledge of Arbor/HR systems is desirable, but not essential as training will be given.

The successful applicant will:

• Have worked in a similar role.
• Have an understanding of teacher and local government pay and conditions, and pension schemes.
• Maintain a high level of confidentiality at all times.
• Have an understanding of HMRC requirements in relation to payroll.
• Ensure accuracy and integrity of data.
• Experience of using My View.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Be detail orientated.
• Have analytical skills.

Alpha Academies Trust's Head Office is based at The Discovery Academy in Stoke-on-Trent. The postholder may be required to work across all academy sites; access to personal transport is essential. This is an excellent opportunity to support the Alpha Central Team and contribute to payroll and operations across the Trust.

Our Trust has an amazing family of academies, and each has its own ethos and values that contribute to the wider Trust purpose. We are committed to delivering a first-class education to overcome inequality and, as a member of the Trust Central Team, you will play a key part in helping us to achieve that. We are a local trust with all academies in close proximity, enabling us to share learnings and raise standards for the communities we serve.

Our main priority is to develop people and our staff in the organisation are no exception. The Trust Central Team facilitates collaboration, staff development and wellbeing. We need exceptional people, who we will support to be outstanding professionals.

The ability to converse at ease with members of the public, including staff and students in accurate spoken English is essential for the post, therefore postholders must be able to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English.

Our purpose is to deliver a first-class education for every child that overcomes inequality. We recruit outstanding staff and make their professional development a number one priority. We are committed to working with other stakeholders to create a joined-up momentum, with the ambition of bringing about transformational change.

Our Trust is located in Stoke-on-Trent and consists of two Secondary Academies, four Primary Academies and a Central Team. Alpha Academies Trust has been established to create a network of Primary and Secondary Academies in North Staffordshire. We help over 4,000 pupils develop and grow into very special individuals. Our staff thrive in doing this and, as a result, fulfil their own immense sense of purpose. Joining us will mean you can support those pupils as well as our staff in being the best that they can be. You will be a part of their success.

We care about our people and feel that we can achieve the greatest impact through a research-led culture. We believe that mutual respect should serve as the foundation of our organisation, which supports collaboration and enables our people to be creative, confident and work as one. Our staff identify the approaches that have the greatest impact on children and support the wellbeing and workload of all our staff.

For all successful applicants the Alpha Academies Trust will support with the option to further your career by progressing or swapping to become an associate teacher on the appropriate pathway to teaching. This can be discussed at interview or at any time during your employment with Alpha.

The Trust offers a benefits package including:

• Local government pension scheme, Staffordshire Pension Fund
• Discounted gym membership for on-site gyms and a 25% discount at Nuffield Health Stoke Fitness & Wellbeing Gym
• Free on-site parking, subsidised meals and a Cyclescheme
• Employee Assistance Programme through Life and Progress including counselling services
• Support for staff development and access to Chartered College of Teaching resources

Alpha Academies are committed to staff development and all staff are encouraged to be members of the Chartered College of Teaching. This is financed by the Trust and colleagues are encouraged to access their resources and embark upon their qualifications.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and can provide reasonable adjustments during the application process. Our safeguarding commitment requires the successful candidate to undergo an enhanced DBS check and related vetting processes. The post is exempt under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

We want people who are prepared to make a difference to a child's life and inspire others. To apply, click on the 'Apply Now' button at the top of this page directing you to the Alpha Academies Trust vacancy portal. If you are already registered, log in to submit your application. New users can register and proceed to submit their application. For further information, contact the Trust HR Team at recruitment@alphaacademiestrust.co.uk. Visits to our Academy are welcome; please contact the Academy to arrange a mutually convenient appointment.

Closing Date for this Post: Monday 16th March 2026 at 9:00am. Interview Date: Week Commencing 23rd March 2026.

A good standard of education.

Previous experience of working in a School/Academy.

Evidence of continued, relevant professional development.

Experience of "MyView".

Good understanding of teacher and local government pay and conditions.

Experience of MIS systems such as Arbor and SAM People.

Knowledge of teacher and local government pension schemes and HMRC payroll requirements.

Ability to work accurately with good attention to detail, produce standard letters/reports, undertake routine calculations, and maintain confidentiality.

Good communication and analytical skills.

Willingness to undertake appropriate training and to work flexibly to meet deadlines.

Able to work on own initiative and as part of a team; ability to establish effective relationships within the Trust.

Understanding of GDPR and data protection as they apply to payroll.

Able to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role in English.

Willingness to undertake First Aid training.

Awareness of equal opportunities and race equality.