Head of Payroll, Pensions, Reward and Systems in Bournemouth

Starting salary for this role is £79,968 (pro rata for part-time colleagues). This role sits within a well-defined pay band, offering clear progression as you grow your career at BCP. Without exception, all new starters begin at the entry point of the band, ensuring fairness and consistency across the organisation. Be part of a forward-thinking workplace where you’re supported to grow and you can truly #BeTheDifference at BCP.

About the role

We are looking for an experienced and credible senior leader to join our People and Culture leadership team as Head of Payroll, Pensions, Reward and Systems — a rare opportunity to shape specialist services that are essential to organisational confidence, workforce experience and business continuity. This is a critical leadership role, responsible for the delivery and assurance of high-risk, business-critical services including Payroll, Pensions, Reward and HR/Payroll Systems. You will provide the strategic grip and operational oversight needed to ensure services are compliant, resilient, customer-focused and continuously improving, while supporting significant transformation and change. You will work closely with the Director of People and Culture and fellow Heads of Service to ensure our operational services underpin a modern, future-focused People & Culture function and enable the wider organisation to deliver for our communities.

What you’ll be responsible for:

• Lead and assure the delivery of Payroll, Pensions, Reward and Systems services, ensuring business-as-usual activity and statutory deadlines are protected while enabling improvement and change.
• Provide senior oversight of reward and pay governance, including pay structures, allowances, market supplements and contractual arrangements, ensuring decisions are lawful, auditable and applied consistently.
• Act as the senior owner for payroll, pensions and reward risk, ensuring robust controls, accurate reporting and strong assurance to auditors, regulators and senior leaders.
• Lead internal and external audits across payroll, pensions, reward and systems activity, taking ownership of findings and remediation actions.
• Provide strategic leadership of HR and payroll systems, ensuring end-to-end system architecture, interfaces, controls and dependencies are understood and safely managed (without undertaking hands-on system configuration).
• Lead and sequence complex change activity safely, balancing innovation with statutory compliance, affordability and service stability.
• Translate complex legislative, technical and system risk into clear advice for non-technical senior leaders, knowing when to elevate and when to act decisively.
• Contribute as a visible senior leader within People & Culture, deputising for the Director where required and role-modeling strong, values-led leadership.

What we’re looking for:

• Significant senior-level experience leading payroll, reward, pensions or systems-led services within a complex, regulated environment.
• High-level knowledge (not operational delivery) of UK payroll legislation, public sector pensions (LGPS and Teachers’ Pensions), employment legislation and pay governance.
• Experience of working in a unionised and politically aware environment, with strong judgement and credibility.
• A proven ability to balance risk, compliance, affordability and transformation, particularly where multiple systems and dependencies exist.
• Strong leadership presence, with the confidence to own outcomes, challenge constructively and support teams through change.
• CIPD or CIPP qualification (MCIPD/MCIPP) or equivalent senior professional experience and commitment to continuous professional development.

Why join us?

Payroll, Pensions and Reward are specialist fields, and we know talented leaders in these areas have choices. This role offers the chance to apply your expertise in a complex, high-impact environment where your voice will matter, your leadership will be visible and your work will directly support the services our communities rely on. Just as importantly, the people you’ll work with are one of the biggest bonuses of joining BCP — collaborative, committed colleagues who care deeply about doing the right thing and supporting one another through change. We also know that great people do their best work when they feel trusted and supported, so we are committed to creating an environment that offers strong leadership support and flexibility where possible.

Our Benefits

A Place to Thrive – Join BCP Council. At BCP Council, we’re not just building a workforce— we’re transforming how we recognise and reward our people. Check out our attractive enhanced benefits and find out more about the new Pay and Reward package at Employee benefits | Working for BCP.

About BCP Council

BCP Council provides services to a diverse community of 400,000 residents and employs more than 5,000 people. Our area includes over 15 miles of beautiful world-renowned coastline. We can offer career-defining roles to transform and improve services. By working with us, you can help deliver a vision of a thriving, world-class, prosperous and inclusive place for generations to come.

Interviews to take place Monday 6th July. For more information, please contact sarah.deane@bcpcouncil.gov.uk. Please note, this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship and we can only consider applicants with existing right to work in the UK.

At BCP Council, inclusion is more than a promise – it’s how we work. We’re committed to providing a fully inclusive recruitment process ensuring every candidate and colleague has the support and reasonable adjustments they need to thrive. From the moment you apply, through the recruitment process and throughout your career with us, we’ll be here to listen and provide the help and support you need. It’s why we’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer – and why you can trust that we’ll always do our best to make your experience positive and accessible. If you require any reasonable adjustments or support during the recruitment process, please let us know when you apply or contact us directly.