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- Tasks: Lead payroll and pensions operations, ensuring compliance and driving service improvement.
- Company: Join a large, complex organisation focused on transformation and excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership role with influence, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a senior role with strategic responsibilities and team leadership.
- Qualifications: Senior-level experience in payroll and pensions, with strong leadership and technical skills.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with a commitment to equality and diversity.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
JGA are partnered with a large, complex organisation to recruit an experienced Head of Payroll & Pensions to lead a critical payroll and pensions function during a period of continued transformation and service improvement. This is a senior leadership role, responsible for high-volume payroll operations supporting pension administration. You’ll act as the subject-matter expert across payroll and pensions, leading high-performing teams, managing key external providers, and ensuring full legislative and regulatory compliance in a highly governed environment.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide strategic leadership across payroll and pensions with full accountability for service delivery and compliance
- Lead, develop and motivate payroll and pensions teams, driving a high-performing culture
- Oversee payroll and pensions systems, ensuring data integrity, controls and ongoing optimisation
- Act as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders on payroll, pensions, tax and legislative matters
- Manage external providers and partners, including oversight of audits, HMRC engagement and year-end processes
- Drive continuous improvement, process efficiency and service innovation
What We’re Looking For:
- Senior-level experience leading payroll and pensions functions within a complex organisation
- Strong technical knowledge of payroll, tax and pension legislation (LGPS experience advantageous)
- Proven leadership capability with experience managing teams and senior stakeholders
- Experience working with enterprise payroll and pension systems
- Comfortable operating in a highly regulated, audit-focused environment
- Strategic mindset with the ability to translate legislation into practical delivery
Interested in a senior leadership role with genuine scope, influence and long-term impact?
Head of Payroll & Pensions employer: JGA Recruitment Group | B Corp™
Contact Detail:
JGA Recruitment Group | B Corp™ Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Payroll & Pensions
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the payroll and pensions field. Attend industry events or webinars where you can meet potential employers and showcase your expertise.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of payroll and pensions legislation. Be ready to discuss how you've led teams and improved processes in previous roles. We want you to shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply anywhere; focus on companies that align with your values and career goals. Check out our website for tailored job listings that suit your experience in payroll and pensions.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. Show your enthusiasm for the role and reiterate why you're the perfect fit.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Payroll & Pensions
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Payroll & Pensions role. Highlight your experience in payroll and pensions, especially any leadership roles you've had. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples that demonstrate your impact in previous roles, especially in high-volume payroll operations or compliance. This helps us see the value you can bring to our team.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your strategic mindset aligns with our goals. We love seeing genuine enthusiasm and a clear understanding of the position.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at JGA Recruitment Group | B Corp™
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your technical knowledge of payroll, tax, and pension legislation. Being able to discuss specifics, especially around LGPS, will show that you're not just familiar with the basics but are a true subject-matter expert.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led and developed teams in the past. Think about times when you motivated your team or drove a high-performing culture. This is a senior role, so demonstrating your leadership capability is crucial.
✨Understand the Bigger Picture
Be ready to discuss how you can provide strategic leadership across payroll and pensions. Think about how you would translate complex legislation into practical delivery and how you can drive continuous improvement within the organisation.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Prepare to talk about your experience managing senior stakeholders and external providers. Highlight any successful collaborations or audits you've overseen, as this will demonstrate your ability to operate in a highly regulated environment.
