Payroll Manager in London

We're a growing Catholic Multi-Academy Trust of seven schools, and we're looking for an experienced Payroll Manager to join our central team. This is a standalone role with real ownership — you'll lead our end-to-end payroll and pensions function, making a tangible difference across all our schools.

Working closely with HR and Finance colleagues, you'll ensure accurate and timely payroll for all teaching and support staff, maintain compliance with HMRC and pension scheme requirements, and act as the Trust's expert point of contact for all payroll matters.

Why Join Us?

At Sancta Familia Catholic Academy Trust, you'll be part of a growing and values-led organisation committed to excellence in education. This is an exciting time to join a newly formed Trust where your work will make a real difference across multiple schools, and your professional development will be supported every step of the way.

Benefits

• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with employer contributions.
• 27 days holiday per year plus bank holidays.
• Generous training budget with time allocated for professional development.
• Opportunity to work collaboratively across a family of schools within a newly established and expanding Multi-Academy Trust.
• A supportive, driven community focused on collaboration, integrity, and growth.

The role

Payroll Processing and Administration

• Lead the end-to-end monthly payroll process for all Trust employees, including teaching and support staff across all schools, in conjunction with schools.
• Ensure all payroll inputs are processed accurately and on time, including new starters, leavers, contractual changes, and variations.
• Process and administer statutory payments including SSP, SMP, SPP, and redundancy payments.
• Manage salary sacrifice schemes, including childcare vouchers and cycle-to-work schemes.
• Administer pay increments, scale point progressions, and cost-of-living awards in line with NJC and national teacher pay frameworks.
• Ensure accurate processing of Outer London Weighting and any other applicable allowances.
• Oversee BACS payment submissions and ensure timely payroll disbursement.
• Produce and distribute monthly payslips and P60s to all employees.

Compliance and Reporting

• Ensure compliance with all HMRC requirements including RTI submissions, year-end returns, and P11D processing.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of PAYE, National Insurance, and auto-enrolment obligations.
• Prepare and submit pension data to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) and Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) in line with deadlines.
• Manage auto-enrolment obligations and maintain accurate pension contribution records.
• Produce regular payroll reports and workforce cost analyses for the Head of HR and Culture and Chief Finance Officer.
• Support budget-setting and financial planning processes by providing accurate staff cost data.
• Ensure payroll records are maintained in accordance with GDPR and Trust data retention policies.

Pensions Administration

• Act as the Trust’s lead contact for the Teachers’ Pension Scheme and Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Ensure accurate submission of employer and employee pension contributions within scheme deadlines.
• Process pension enrolments, opt-outs, retirements, and ill-health applications.
• Support employees with queries relating to pension entitlements and contributions.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of pension scheme regulations and communicate any changes to relevant stakeholders.

Systems and Process Improvement

• Manage and maintain the Trust’s payroll system, ensuring accurate and up-to-date employee and payroll data.
• Identify and implement process improvements to increase payroll efficiency and accuracy.
• Work with HR and Finance colleagues to ensure seamless data flows between HR and payroll systems.
• Contribute to the selection, implementation, or upgrade of payroll systems as required.

Stakeholder Management

• Act as the first point of contact for all payroll queries from headteachers, school business managers, and employees.
• Provide clear, timely responses to payroll-related queries, ensuring a high standard of customer service.
• Work closely with Finance colleagues to ensure payroll journals and reconciliations are completed accurately.
• Liaise with HMRC, pension scheme administrators, and other external bodies as required.
• Provide training and guidance to school-based staff on payroll processes and procedures.

Person Specification

Education - desirable

• CIPP qualification (Foundation Degree or Diploma in Payroll Management) or equivalent experience.
• Degree-level qualification or equivalent.
• AAT qualification or equivalent finance-related qualification.
• Working knowledge of Access for finance and payroll.

Knowledge and Experience - required

• Significant experience managing end-to-end payroll operations, ideally within an education or public sector setting.
• Thorough knowledge of PAYE, NIC, RTI, and statutory payment rule.
• Experience with NJC and national teacher pay frameworks including pay progression and cost of living awards.
• Proficiency in payroll software (e.g. iTrent, Earnie, Sage, or equivalent).
• Experience of BACS processing and payroll reconciliation.
• Strong knowledge of GDPR as it relates to payroll and employee data.
• Experience of managing payroll in a multi-site organisation.

Professional Skills and Attributes - required

• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy in all payroll calculations and data entry.
• Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to work to strict deadlines.
• Proactive with the ability to work independently and take ownership of the payroll function.
• Sympathy with the Catholic faith and the Trust’s mission and values.
• Commitment to the 7 Nolan Principles of Public Life.

How to apply

Please go to the Sancta Familia Catholic Academy website - staff vacancies, where you will find the full job description and send the required recruitment forms to Nichole Burley-Burton, Head of HR and Culture.