At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our Payroll team to ensure accurate and timely payroll for 1,000 employees.
- Company: Charterhouse School, a prestigious independent school with a stunning 250-acre campus.
- Benefits: Competitive salary of £55,000, full-time hours, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Collaborative team atmosphere with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a vital role while working in a beautiful setting.
- Qualifications: GCSEs in English and Maths; payroll experience preferred but training available.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 55000 £ per year.
Location: Charterhouse School, Godalming
Salary: £55,000 per annum
Vacancy Type: Permanent, Full Time
Hours: Monday to Friday from 9.00am until 5.30pm.
Charterhouse is a beautiful school in a 250-acre campus – a wonderful setting for the whole community to live and work together and a splendid backdrop for teaching and learning. Founded in 1611, Charterhouse is one of the world’s leading coeducational independent schools, welcoming boarders and day pupils at 13+ entry and 16+ entry.
Charterhouse seeks to appoint a highly organised and detail-oriented School Payroll Officer to join our busy Payroll team. This pivotal role is responsible for delivering an accurate and efficient payroll service for school employees, ensuring compliance with payroll legislation, pension regulations, and school policies. The successful candidate will have excellent numerical and administrative skills, experience working with payroll systems, and the ability to manage confidential information with discretion.
Overall Purpose and Responsibilities:
As part of a 3-strong Payroll Team, the Payroll Officer is responsible for ensuring the accurate and timely processing of payroll for approximately 1,000 employees across the School Group, comprising one senior school, three preparatory schools and two subsidiary companies. Working as a key liaison between Payroll and Human Resources, the role is responsible for coordinating payroll inputs, validating information, producing payroll calculations, maintaining payroll records and ensuring payroll is processed accurately and efficiently. Whilst working closely with HR, responsibility for maintaining HR records remains with the HR team.
Profile of Candidate:
- Qualifications
- Essential: GCSE (or equivalent) in English and Mathematics
- Payroll qualification or willingness to work towards one
- Desirable: CIPP qualification or equivalent
- Experience
- Significant experience of payroll processing
- Experience processing payroll within a medium or large organisation
- Experience of statutory payroll calculations
- Experience using computerised payroll systems
- Strong Microsoft Excel skills
- Experience of working collaboratively with HR teams
- Desirable: Experience within the education sector
- Experience of integrated HR and payroll systems
- Knowledge of Teachers' Pension Scheme
- Experience supporting payroll audits
- Knowledge
- UK payroll legislation
- HMRC regulations
- Statutory payments including SSP, SMP, SPP, SAP, ShPP and SNCP
- Payroll best practice
- Pension administration
- Data Protection and confidentiality requirements
- Skills
- Excellent attention to detail
- Strong numerical and analytical skills
- Excellent organisational and time management skills
- Ability to manage competing priorities and meet strict deadlines
- Strong communication and influencing skills
- Confidence to challenge incomplete information professionally and appropriately
- Ability to build effective working relationships across departments
- High levels of accuracy, integrity and discretion
To Apply:
If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Charterhouse School, please click apply to be redirected to our website to complete your application. Closing date for applications is 9am on Friday 4 September 2026. Interviews will be held shortly after the closing date.
Payroll Officer in Godalming employer: Charterhouse
Charterhouse is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture within a stunning 250-acre campus in Godalming. With a strong commitment to employee growth and development, we provide a range of benefits including a competitive pension scheme, ongoing professional development opportunities, and a supportive environment that values kindness and excellence. Join our friendly Admissions team and enjoy a fulfilling career where your contributions truly make a difference in the lives of families and students.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Payroll Officer in Godalming
✨Join HR Networks
Get involved in HR-specific communities, like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and local HR meetups. This is a fantastic way to connect with industry professionals and learn about job openings before they even hit job boards!
✨Make Your Presence Known
Attend HR conferences and workshops in your area to network with potential employers. Don't be shy—introduce yourself, exchange business cards, and let them know you're keen on a full-time role in HR. Who knows, you might just land a friendly face at Charterhouse!
✨Leverage Your University Connections
If you’re a recent grad or still in uni, tap into your career services and alumni network. Many universities have connections with companies looking for HR talent, so get those leads and apply through our website for a smoother application process.
✨Showcase Your HR Passion
Create content around HR topics you’re passionate about, like employee engagement or diversity initiatives. Share articles or insights on LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and get noticed by recruiters. It’s a subtle yet effective way to show you’re the right fit for a full-time role at Charterhouse.
We think you need these skills to ace Payroll Officer in Godalming
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your HR Skills:When you’re crafting your CV, make sure you highlight specific HR skills that are relevant to the role at Charterhouse. Include any experience with recruitment processes, employee relations, or performance management, and don’t forget to mention your familiarity with HR software or tools that could give you an edge.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tailor it to Charterhouse and the specific HR role. Highlight your passion for people management and how your unique approach can help foster a positive workplace culture. Be sure to sprinkle in examples from your past experiences that illustrate your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any HR certifications or relevant training under your belt, be sure to showcase them! These qualifications can really set you apart from other candidates when applying for this full-time HR position at Charterhouse. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Charterhouse's values and culture. Research the company and align your experiences or values with what they stand for. This will show them that you're not only a fit for the role but also for the overall vibe of the team and organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at Charterhouse
✨Brush Up on HR Best Practices
As you're diving into human resources, it’s crucial to be well-versed in the latest HR practices and legislation. Get familiar with key topics like employee engagement, talent acquisition, and diversity initiatives, as these could easily pop up in your interview with Charterhouse.
✨Know Your Recruitment Tools
Most HR roles involve using various recruitment tools and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Make sure you can comfortably discuss platforms like Workday or Greenhouse. If you've had direct experience, share those examples; if not, show your eagerness to learn!
✨Highlight Your People Skills
A full-time HR role at Charterhouse will require strong interpersonal skills. Prepare to share stories that demonstrate how you’ve successfully navigated conflicts or supported team members in past experiences. Authenticity goes a long way in this field.
✨Stay Current with HR Trends
Being up to speed with current HR trends, like remote working protocols or mental health initiatives, can set you apart. Be ready to discuss how these trends could impact Charterhouse and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
