Payroll Technical Lead in Ferndale

Join Lambeth Borough Council. Lambeth is one of London's most vibrant, diverse and ambitious boroughs, delivering vital services to residents, schools, employees and local communities. As part of the Council's Finance & Governance division, the payroll function plays a critical role in ensuring thousands of employees are paid accurately, efficiently and in line with statutory requirements.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Payroll Technical Lead to join Lambeth Council's payroll team. This is a key technical role supporting the delivery of payroll operations for approximately 2,900 school staff, 3,200 corporate staff and 200 external school staff, while acting as the subject-matter expert for Oracle Payroll.

You will work closely with the Payroll Manager, Oracle Support Team, Finance, HR, Pensions, auditors and external partners to ensure the smooth running of payroll processes, system functionality, reporting and compliance.

The Role

As Payroll Technical Lead, you will oversee the technical operation of the Lambeth payroll bureau service, ensuring payroll processes are delivered accurately, efficiently and within agreed deadlines. You will play a key role in Oracle Payroll developments, system testing, reporting requirements, year-end processes, statutory returns and payroll reconciliations. You will also supervise the work of the Payroll Technical Officer and support the wider payroll transformation agenda, helping to improve processes, maximise system capability and deliver a modern, customer-focused payroll service.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead on the timely and accurate delivery of monthly payroll processes, including validation reports, BACS file transmission, RTI submissions, FPS/EPS files and post-payroll activities.
• Act as the Payroll Service Business Lead for Oracle Payroll developments, upgrades, testing, reporting and functional specifications.
• Act as the key liaison between Payroll and the Oracle Support Team, ensuring payroll system issues are raised, monitored and resolved effectively.
• Manage year-end and start-of-year payroll processes including P60s, tax code uplifts, pay awards, increments, pension thresholds and statutory updates.
• Oversee payroll data submissions and pension returns including LGPS I-Connect, LPFA employer portal, Teachers' Pensions MCR and NHSPS records.
• Supervise the Payroll Technical Officer, ensuring work is delivered accurately and within agreed deadlines.
• Support payroll reconciliations, audit queries, National Fraud Initiative reporting and management information requests.
• Produce and distribute key employee and employer information including payslips, P60s, chargeability reports and third-party payment reports.
• Support the onboarding of external payroll clients, working with employer bodies, Finance and Oracle Support to ensure smooth implementation.
• Maintain Oracle Payroll guidance notes, process documentation and user manuals.
• Deputise for the Payroll Manager on technical payroll system matters when required.
• Support payroll transformation, digital strategy and continuous improvement across the service.

About You

We are looking for a technically strong payroll professional with excellent systems knowledge, strong analytical skills and the ability to work confidently with a wide range of stakeholders. You will bring:

• Strong working knowledge of payroll legislation and statutory payroll requirements.
• Experience using payroll systems, ideally Oracle Payroll, within a complex or public sector environment.
• Strong understanding of payroll reporting, system functionality, testing and data validation.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and confidence working with complex data.
• Experience producing MI reports and working in a highly numerate, analytical environment.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to resolve complex payroll and system issues.
• Experience building strong working relationships with internal teams, external partners, auditors and system providers.
• Ability to support, mentor or train colleagues on payroll systems and technical processes.
• Knowledge of pensions processes, ideally including LGPS, Teachers' Pensions and NHSPS, would be highly advantageous.
• A proactive approach to service improvement, digital transformation and payroll best practice.

Benefits:

• 27 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays
• Hybrid working arrangements
• 35-hour working week
• Valuable Local Government Pension Scheme with employer contributions
• Opportunity to work for a leading London Borough Council
• Involvement in payroll transformation and digital improvement projects
• Exposure to Oracle Payroll systems, technical reporting and public sector payroll complexity
• Supportive, inclusive and collaborative team environment

Why Apply?

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced payroll professional who enjoys the technical side of payroll and wants to take ownership of Oracle Payroll processes, reporting, compliance and system improvements. If you are confident managing complex payroll operations, enjoy problem-solving and want to contribute to a payroll service that supports thousands of employees across Lambeth Council and local schools, we would love to hear from you.

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