At a Glance
- Tasks: Join the SAMpeople Payroll Academy and learn to master payroll processes in a supportive team.
- Company: Arbor Education, dedicated to transforming schools with innovative technology.
- Benefits: 25 days annual leave, birthday off, healthcare plan, and professional development funding.
- Other info: Enjoy a collaborative environment with opportunities for growth and personal development.
- Why this job: Kickstart your career in payroll with hands-on training and a vibrant office culture.
- Qualifications: Open to school leavers and graduates; no prior experience needed, just a passion for learning.
The predicted salary is between 18000 - 25000 £ per year.
Location: Wakefield
About the role
The primary purpose of this role is to participate in the SAMpeople Payroll Academy, a structured, high-touch training centre operating out of our Wakefield office. This entry-level scheme is specifically designed to transform ambitious school leavers or university graduates into fully self-sufficient corporate payroll professionals. By mastering internal software, compliance frameworks, and administrative workflows from the ground up, you will progressively take ownership of baseline data tasks, directly reducing the operational burden on our core delivery teams while launching a long-term career path. Crucially, this role leverages an intensive in-person team environment to foster rapid development, casual peer learning, and strong professional camaraderie.
Core responsibilities
- Actively engage in intensive, systems-based onboarding covering internal payroll applications, data compliance rules, Education sector specific and standard HMRC guidelines.
- Adopt a highly coachable mindset, absorbing constructive feedback from the Team Leader and applying it to improve operational data input accuracy.
- Execute high-volume, baseline administrative inputs, including entering employee variables, processing timesheets, and updating internal documentation.
- Methodically cross-reference new starter and leaver information, actively flagging system anomalies, data gaps, or formatting errors before processing runs.
- Assume progressive, monitored autonomy over a small, predictable set of portfolios as training advances.
- Ensure all end-to-end processing is fully prepared on time and routed directly to the Team Leader for a 100% quality and compliance audit before final submission.
- Actively participate in daily in-person team stand-ups, workflow brainstorming sessions, and shared problem-solving within the Wakefield pod.
- Contribute to a vibrant, communicative office culture, actively collaborating with peers to eliminate professional isolation and optimize overall pod efficiency.
Requirements
About you
This role is ideal for anyone looking for a graduate job, apprenticeship, or an entry-level administrative role. The role may be of particular interest to School Leavers or University Graduates (any degree background—we train you on everything!).
- Possesses a strong "audit eye" with a natural ability to process high volumes of data accurately without compromising on quality.
- Methodical approach to spotting data anomalies, formatting errors, or compliance issues within spreadsheets.
- Takes pride in the precision of personal output, ensuring thorough self-checking before passing work forward.
- Highly motivated by a physical, in-person office environment and eager to contribute to a vibrant team culture.
- Strong active listening and communication skills, with a natural ability to build on ideas and problem-solve collectively within a group.
- Demonstrates workplace empathy and a willingness to support peers during busy periods to keep the team moving forward.
- Possesses a baseline conceptual awareness of how artificial intelligence and automation can be used to streamline repetitive data tasks.
- Demonstrates strong digital literacy and a curious, tech-minded approach to learning new corporate systems.
- Highly adaptable and enthusiastic about training on advanced software, automation tools, and future AI-driven payroll applications.
- Open-minded and receptive to feedback, viewing constructive coaching as an opportunity for rapid personal development.
- Driven by a strong desire to learn the "why" behind operational processes, with a clear focus on progressing into a fully autonomous professional role.
About us
At Arbor, we’re on a mission to transform the way schools work for the better. Central to this mission is equipping Schools with the technology and support to address any challenges they may face, so expanding our product suite and enhancing our customer offering has become an essential priority. One of these many products is SAMpeople, a cloud based software platform for schools to give them a one-stop shop for their people management. SAMpeople are Education people specialists; we have a team of leaders who have all worked in education for many years and understand the business challenges that schools and MATs have to deal with day in and day out. At the heart of our brand is a recognition that the challenges schools face today aren’t just about efficiency, outputs and productivity - but about creating happier working lives for the people who drive education everyday: the staff. We want to make schools more joyful places to work, as well as learn.
What we offer
- The chance to work alongside a team of hard-working, passionate people in a role where you’ll see the impact of your work every day.
- Professional Development Funding: Including supported study and funding for external payroll qualifications (similar to a higher apprenticeship framework). Prior qualifications will depend on the pathway available to you.
- 25 days annual leave (plus 8 days Bank Hols)
- Your birthday off
- BUPA Healthcare Cashback plan – following successful completion of probation
- Pension Scheme
- A cracking team to work with!
Arbor Education is an equal opportunities organisation. Our goal is for Arbor to be a workplace which represents, celebrates and supports people from all backgrounds, and which gives them the tools they need to thrive - whatever their ambitions may be so we support and promote diversity and equality, and actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds.
Please note: We are unable to provide visa sponsorship at this time.
Apprentice/Graduate Payroll Specialist in Wakefield employer: Arbor Education
At Arbor, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions a healthy work-life balance and fosters a supportive, collaborative culture. Our remote working environment allows for flexibility while providing ample opportunities for professional growth and development, ensuring our team members are not only challenged but also fulfilled in their roles. Join us in our mission to create happier working lives for educators, where your contributions directly impact the future of education.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Apprentice/Graduate Payroll Specialist in Wakefield
✨Utilise University Career Services
If you're fresh out of uni, your first stop should be the career services at your school. They often have partnerships with local businesses, including companies like Arbor Education, which can open doors for entry-level HR positions.
✨Get Involved in HR Communities
Join communities related to human resources on platforms like LinkedIn or Facebook. Engage in discussions, share insights, and connect with HR professionals. Some of these groups might even have job postings specifically looking for entry-level candidates!
✨Attend Job Fairs and Networking Events
Keep an eye out for job fairs, especially those focusing on HR roles. Events at universities or local chambers of commerce can be goldmines for entry-level positions. Don't forget to come prepared with a few great questions to impress recruiters from companies like Arbor Education!
✨Showcase Your Personality
In HR, personality and culture fit are key. When you get the chance, maybe through informal chats or interviews, let your genuine self shine through. After all, you're in the business of people, and companies like Arbor Education want to see that you fit into their team!
We think you need these skills to ace Apprentice/Graduate Payroll Specialist in Wakefield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your People Skills:In HR, it’s all about connecting with people! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you’ve dealt with others, whether it’s through previous jobs, volunteering, or even group projects in uni. This shows that you’re not just about the paperwork, but are also eager to interact and engage with those around you.
Tailor Your Language:Using the right buzzwords can make a big difference. Sprinkle in phrases like 'conflict resolution', 'team dynamics', or 'employee engagement' in your application. This will show that you understand the HR world and that you’re ready to dive into the complexities of human relationships in the workplace.
Express Your Eagerness to Learn:As an entry-level candidate, highlight your motivation to grow in the HR field. In your cover letter, mention your interest in learning about recruitment processes, employee development, or workplace culture. Employers want to see that you’re ready to soak up knowledge and contribute to their team.
Research Company Culture:Take the time to understand the HR culture at Arbor Education. In your application, reflect on their values and mission, showcasing how you align with them. This adds a personal touch and shows that you’ve done your homework, making your application stand out even more!
How to prepare for a job interview at Arbor Education
✨Show Your People Skills
In HR, people skills are key, so be ready to chat about your past experiences working with teams or managing conflicts. Share examples that really highlight your emotional intelligence and ability to empathise with others—this will impress those interviewers at Arbor Education.
✨Brush Up on HR Tech Tools
Familiarise yourself with popular HR software like BambooHR or Workday, because you might get asked about your experience with tools that help manage employee data. Even as an entry-level candidate, showing you're proactive about learning the tech aspects can set you apart at Arbor Education!
✨Be Prepared to Discuss Policies
Expect questions about HR policies, especially those related to recruitment and employee relations. Give thoughtful answers that demonstrate your understanding of HR practices, and don’t shy away from discussing how you'd approach certain scenarios—this shows you're ready to dive into the role.
✨Demonstrate Your Eagerness to Learn
Since this is an entry-level role, make sure you convey your motivation and willingness to learn. Talk about any relevant coursework or volunteer experiences that have prepared you for a career in HR. Showing a genuine desire to grow within the industry can leave a positive impression on the interviewers at Arbor Education.
