Pay, Pensions & Benefits Liaison Team Leader in Leicester

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust is seeking an experienced and motivated Pay, Pensions & Benefits Liaison Team Leader to provide operational leadership within our People Services function. This is a key leadership role, providing day‑to‑day management and support to a small internal team, acting as the main liaison with our external payroll and pensions provider, and ensuring accurate, timely and compliant delivery of payroll, pensions and employee benefits. You will be a senior escalation point for complex cases, work closely with the external provider, and play an active role in service improvement, governance and digital transformation.

Responsibilities

• Provide full line management to the Pay, Benefits & Expenses team, including performance management, appraisals, wellbeing and staff development.
• Lead day‑to‑day payroll, benefits & expenses operations, ensuring transactions are processed accurately and within agreed deadlines.
• Act as the first point of contact with the Payroll Provider, leading regular operational meetings.
• Manage and resolve complex and sensitive pay and benefits queries, including overpayments and retrospective adjustments.
• Oversee quality assurance processes, identify errors, embed learning and drive continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with Agenda for Change, Medical & Dental Terms & Conditions, NHS Pension Scheme regulations, HMRC requirements and Trust policies.
• Support audits, maintain accurate ESR records and ensure robust payroll controls.
• Contribute to service improvement initiatives, automation and the implementation of national pay and pensions changes.
• Build strong working relationships across People Services, Finance, CMGs and external partners.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent relevant experience.
• Evidence of ongoing learning and development.
• Experience of using ESR.

Experience

• Experience working in payroll, pensions and employee benefits within a complex organisation.
• Experience supervising and leading teams.
• Experience handling complex pay cases and providing first‑line support to colleagues or customers.
• Experience supporting service change or automation.
• Experience working in an NHS or public sector organisation.
• Experience contributing to process improvement or service development.

Knowledge & Skills

• Confident IT skills, including use of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams).
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and documentation.
• Understanding of the importance of confidentiality and data protection when handling sensitive information.
• Excellent attention to detail and quality focus.
• Strong knowledge of Agenda for Change, Medical & Dental terms and conditions and statutory pay requirements.
• Able to understand and interpret changes in local, national and statutory regulations.
• Working knowledge of NHS Pension schemes.

Communication and Relationship Skills

• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally with a range of stakeholders.
• Ability to explain complex or technical information in a clear, accessible way for different audiences.
• Confident in responding to queries, managing expectations and providing guidance to users.
• Able to work collaboratively as part of a team and possess proven interpersonal skills to build positive working relationships.

Analytical and Judgement Skills

• Ability to follow processes accurately and identify errors, issues or exceptions.
• Able to investigate problems, gather relevant information and escalate appropriately.
• Excellent analytical skills and ability to quickly interpret data/information from a variety of sources and apply complex national regulations.
• Experience monitoring performance and supporting reporting activity.
• Experience contributing to process improvement or service development.

Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours

• Must be able to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust's Values and Behaviours.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

• Able to demonstrate a commitment to and understanding of the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect appropriate to their individual needs.
• All staff are expected to engage in compassionate and inclusive leadership in the provision of high quality care and interactions with others.

Other Requirements Specific to the Role

• Ability to travel to Trust sites.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and involves a submission for disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.