Payroll Manager

• Payroll Manager
• Department: Culture, Workforce & Development
• Working Pattern: Flexible and hybrid working available

We are looking for an experienced and forward-thinking Payroll Manager to lead our Payroll and Pensions function and help shape the future of payroll delivery across the Council.

This is a pivotal operational leadership role, responsible for the accurate, timely and compliant delivery of payroll and pension services for approximately 2,600 employees.

As the Council's subject matter expert, you will provide leadership on complex payroll and pension matters, manage risk, ensure regulatory compliance and act as the key escalation point for challenging issues.

This is also an exciting time to join us.

As part of a wider transformation programme, you will have the opportunity to modernise payroll processes, improve service delivery, introduce greater automation and help shape the future design of payroll provision.

Key responsibilities

• Responsible for End-to-End payroll process
• Ensuring statutory and regulatory requirements are met while maintaining a responsive, efficient and customer-focused service.
• Working closely with HR, Finance, Pensions, senior leaders, external providers and other stakeholders
• Ensure effective service delivery and contribute to wider organisational performance
• Lead, motivate and develop a high-performing Payroll team, creating a culture of accountability, customer focus and continuous improvement.
• Take overall responsibility for the accurate, timely and compliant delivery of monthly payroll.
• Act as the senior escalation point for complex payroll and pension issues.
• Oversee end-to-end payroll processing through Oracle Payroll.
• Ensure compliance with HMRC requirements and all statutory reporting obligations.
• Lead payroll year-end activities, including P60s, P11Ds and associated compliance processes.
• Oversee the accurate administration of Local Government and Teachers' Pension schemes.
• Manage BACS payments, payroll reconciliations, deductions, salary sacrifice arrangements, overpayments and court orders
• Ensure compliance with National Minimum Wage, Living Wage and wider payroll legislation
• Drive continuous improvement across payroll processes, controls and systems.
• Identify opportunities to automate manual processes and improve the employee experience.
• Support wider workforce transformation and service modernisation programmes.
• Contribute to the future design and development of payroll services across the organisation.
• Build strong working relationships with senior stakeholders, external providers and partner organisations
• Produce meaningful payroll reporting, analysis and insight to support effective decision-making.
• Ensure stakeholders receive a reliable, responsive and customer-focused service.

About you

We are looking for an experienced payroll professional with the technical expertise, leadership capability and strategic mindset to lead a complex payroll function.

You will have

• A CIPP qualification, or extensive experience managing an end-to-end payroll function within a large and complex organisation.
• Strong technical knowledge of payroll legislation, taxation, pensions and statutory reporting.
• Proven experience leading, coaching and developing payroll teams.
• Significant experience using Oracle Payroll or a comparable enterprise payroll system.
• Knowledge of Local Government and/or Teachers' Pension schemes.
• Strong analytical, reconciliation and problem-solving skills.
• Experience delivering service improvements and leading change initiatives.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

Benefits

• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Learning and development opportunities.
• Employee wellbeing support.
• Career progression opportunities within a forward-thinking organisation