Payroll Transformation Lead (9 months FTC) in Merton

Payroll Transformation Lead (Fixed-Term,9Months)

Reports to:Deputy Finance Director / Finance Director
Working closely with:HR Transformation Lead, MHR Implementation Team, Payroll Officer, Finance, HR & IT

Role Purpose

Thepost holderwill play a pivotal role in leading the transformation of the school's payroll operations as part of the implementation of a new MHR HR & Payroll system. Working at the intersection of technology, process, and people, thepost holderwill lead discovery, design, testing, implementation andpost go liveembedding of payroll processes, ensuring theschooltransitions smoothly to the new system with strong governance, data integrity and minimal operational disruption.

Thisfixed termrole is critical in ensuring that the new payroll environment isaccurate, compliant, user-friendly, and capable of supporting the school'slong termneeds.

Key Responsibilities 1. Discovery & Analysis

Conduct a detailed review of existing payroll processes, workflows, payroll cycles, statutory payments (SMP, SPP, SPL, SSP), and pension administration practices.

Analyse all employee types, pay structures, allowances, and variable elements, ensuring the new system can accommodate complexities across teaching and support staff.

Review the accuracy and integrity of payroll data,identifyinggaps, inconsistencies, and cleansing requirements prior to system migration.

Work with HR and Finance to map all payroll inputs, outputs, reconciliations, and interdependencies, creating clear documentation to inform build decisions.

Produce concise discovery reports highlighting risks, decision points, andrequiredsenior leadership input.

2. System & Workflow Development

Collaborate with the MHR implementation team, project manager, and business analyst to design efficient payroll workflows that reflect current realities while enabling future enhancements.

Providesubject matterexpertiseon payroll legislation, Teachers' Pensions, support staff pensions, and statutory obligations to ensureaccuratesystem configuration.

Define payroll rules, pay elements, calculation logic, pension schemes,auto enrolmenttriggers, and reporting structures for build within MHR.

Work closely with HR to ensure alignment between HR and Payroll processes, especially at points of integration such as contracts, salary changes, and absence management.

Ensure that data integrity, internal controls, approvals, and segregation of duties are embedded into workflow design.

3. Testing & Quality Assurance

Design and lead payroll testing cycles including SIT, UAT, parallel run testing, scenarios, and regression testing.

Validate that all payroll calculations (e.g.,pro rata, overtime, allowances, deductions, pension contributions) run accurately across all employee groups.

Document defects, work closely with the project manager and vendor on resolution, and ensure testing outcomes are fully recorded.

Coordinate and support HR and Payroll team participation in testing, ensuring readiness forgo live.

Provide clearsign offcriteria for payroll readiness, ensuring quality standards are met before deployment.

4. Stakeholder Engagement & Change Management

Produce clear, engaging communications to supportdecision makingand ensure stakeholders understand process changes, new workflows, and impacts on roles.

Work closely with Payroll, HR, Finance, and IT teams to gather input, address concerns, and build ownership of new processes.

Act as an advocate for the payroll transformation programme, helping colleagues understand the rationale for change and expected benefits.

Develop a suite of training and support materials includingquick guides, process maps, FAQs, video demos, and user instructions tailored to different user groups.

Deliver training sessions anddrop inclinics to build capability and confidence ahead of and aftergo live.

Support the embedding of payroll changespost go livethrough monitoring adoption, triaging issues, and making iterative improvements.

5. Governance, Compliance & Reporting

Ensure all payroll processes and system rulescomply withHMRC requirements, pension scheme rules, employment legislation, and internal financial controls.

Maintain comprehensive project documentation including process maps, decision logs, risks, data-migration records, and testing evidence.

Support audit readiness by ensuring that decisions, system configurations, and process flows are clearly captured and traceable.

Work with the Finance Director and Deputy Finance Director to definelong termpayroll ownership, responsibilities, maintenance routines, and governance structures after the project concludes.

Person Specification

Significant experiencedelivering payroll transformation or implementing a new HR/payroll system (e.g., MHR,iTrent, SAP, Workday, Oracle, etc.).

Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex payroll data,identifyissues, and design effective solutions.

Excellent communication, influencing, andstakeholder engagementskills, with the ability to work collaboratively across teams.

Experience in process design, system configuration collaboration, and/or workflow mapping.

Strong understanding of payroll controls, governance,complianceand risk management.

Experience designing and delivering training, presentations, anduser focuseddocumentation.

High levelof accuracy, attention to detail, professionalism, and confidentiality.

Experience working in an education environment and familiarity with Teachers' Pensions administration.

Experience working with MHRiTrentor similar integrated HR/payroll platforms.

Experience in change management, business readiness, or operational transformation programmes.

Payroll or HR professional qualifications (CIPP, CIPD etc.).

Kings is one of the most successful schools in the world, with outstanding academic results, first-class pastoralcareand a vibrant co-curriculum. Overlooking Wimbledon Common, the school is situated in one of the most attractive parts ofsouth eastEngland and benefits from exceptional grounds and facilities.

Closing date: Thursday, 13th August 2026, 9 am.

Applications will be reviewed on a rollingbasis,and interviews are likely to be staged. Early applications are encouraged as we may choose to appoint at any time during the application process.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974.

King's is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare ofchildren and expects all staff to share this commitment.Applicants willbe requiredto undergo child protection screeningappropriate tothe post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.King's College School is fully committed to the principles of equality,diversityand inclusivity in its recruitment of teaching and support staff.