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- Tasks: Lead a team to ensure accurate payroll for 6,500 employees and pensioners.
- Company: Join Lewisham Council, a diverse and inclusive employer making a real difference.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, flexible working, local government pension, and staff discounts.
- Why this job: Make a measurable impact in a vibrant community while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Expert payroll knowledge, strong analytical skills, and excellent communication abilities.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with excellent training and career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
Discover yourself in Lewisham where what you do makes a difference to our vibrant and culturally diverse communities! We have a rich history of welcoming people from all over the world and are proud to be recognised as the UK’s first Borough of Sanctuary, for our work in championing the rights of refugees and migrants.
As Payroll Team Leader at the London Borough of Lewisham, you’ll make a real, measurable impact by ensuring 6,500 employees, including 1,500 teaching staff and 8,000 pensioners are paid accurately and on time. You’ll lead a skilled team of Senior Payroll Officers, own the payroll run end‑to‑end, and be the go‑to expert for complex calculations and queries. If you thrive on precision, people leadership and improving services, this is your opportunity to shape a high‑performing, customer‑focused payroll function at scale.
In this role, you’ll champion compliance and continuous improvement, liaising with HMRC, schools and partner organisations, optimising workflows, and driving down error rates. You’ll balance deadlines with quality, interpret evolving legislation, and strengthen our Service Level Agreements, all while developing your team and supporting an inclusive, diverse workplace. Step up and lead the engine room that keeps Lewisham moving.
You’ll lead a dedicated team to deliver accurate, timely payroll for thousands of employees and pensioners, tackling complex calculations and resolving queries with confidence. This is your chance to drive service excellence, shape best practices, and build strong relationships with schools and partner organisations, all while championing compliance and continuous improvement. If you’re ready to make a real difference in a dynamic, people‑focused environment, this is the role for you.
What’s in it for you? Excellent training and development opportunities, plus a range of benefits including:
- Generous holiday allowance
- Local Government Pension scheme
- Flexible working and family friendly policies
- Season ticket and bicycle loans
- A range of staff discounts including local subsidised gym memberships
- Supportive staff networks
We’re looking for a confident leader with expert payroll knowledge, strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, and the ability to communicate clearly with a range of stakeholders. You’ll need excellent organisational abilities, high numeracy and IT proficiency, and a customer‑focused approach. If you’re committed to continuous improvement and thrive in a fast‑paced environment, we want to hear from you.
The job is primarily based in Laurence House, Catford, London, SE6 4RU but we operate a hybrid approach where you will be required to work both in the office and from home on a regular basis.
Diversity: Lewisham Council is a Disability Confident employer. We welcome and encourage job applications of all abilities. If you require any reasonable adjustments in the application or interview, please contact the lead contact on this advert. We will make reasonable adjustments to make sure our disabled applicants and those with health conditions are supported throughout our recruitment process.
Payroll Team Leader in London employer: Borough of Lewisham
Contact Detail:
Borough of Lewisham Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Payroll Team Leader in London
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Lewisham Council and its values. This will help you connect your experience with their mission and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference in the community.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your leadership stories! As a Payroll Team Leader, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead and improve services. Think of specific examples where you've successfully managed a team or tackled complex payroll issues, and be ready to share them during your interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky questions! You might face questions about compliance and continuous improvement. Brush up on relevant legislation and be ready to discuss how you've implemented best practices in your previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows that you’re serious about joining the team at Lewisham and making a real impact in the community.
We think you need these skills to ace Payroll Team Leader in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Carefully: Before you start writing, take a good look at the job description. We want to see how your skills and experiences align with what we're looking for, so make sure you highlight those in your application!
Tailor Your Supporting Statement: Your supporting statement is your chance to shine! Make it personal and specific to the Payroll Team Leader role. Use examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your leadership and payroll expertise.
Follow the Application Guidelines: Remember, we don’t accept CVs, so stick to the application format provided. Check out the applicant handbook for tips on what to include and how to structure your responses. It’ll help us get a clear picture of you!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us without any hiccups. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at Lewisham!
How to prepare for a job interview at Borough of Lewisham
✨Know Your Payroll Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your payroll knowledge before the interview. Understand the end-to-end payroll process, including complex calculations and compliance with HMRC regulations. Being able to confidently discuss these topics will show that you're the expert they need.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Payroll Team Leader, you'll be leading a team, so it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership abilities. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past, tackled challenges, and improved processes. This will highlight your capability to drive service excellence.
✨Communicate Clearly
You'll need to liaise with various stakeholders, so practice clear and concise communication. Think about how you can explain complex payroll issues in simple terms. This will not only help you in the interview but also in your future role.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
The role requires a commitment to continuous improvement, so come prepared with ideas on how you could optimise workflows and reduce error rates. Discuss any previous experiences where you've implemented changes that led to better outcomes, showing that you're proactive and forward-thinking.
