At a Glance
- Tasks: Coordinate payroll and pensions, ensuring data integrity and process improvements.
- Company: Join the vibrant ESMS family of independent schools in beautiful Edinburgh.
- Benefits: Enjoy free lunches, sports club access, generous holidays, and professional development funding.
- Other info: Be part of a pioneering team that values kindness, confidence, and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on payroll operations while building relationships with key stakeholders.
- Qualifications: Experience in payroll coordination and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 23305 - 25381 £ per year.
Erskine Stewart’s Melville Schools are currently recruiting for a Payroll and Pensions Coordinator to join the team on a 6-month temporary basis (subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks). The role is available immediately, working 21.75 hours per week (equivalent to 0.6FTE), with a salary range of £23,305 to £25,381.
If you have strong payroll and pensions knowledge and are looking for your next opportunity to build internal relationships with key business stakeholders, this role could be for you. The Payroll and Pensions Coordinator will be responsible for:
- Strengthening and embedding payroll operations within an outsourced model.
- Payroll governance, data integrity and process design and improvements.
- Working closely with the Head of Finance, the wider Finance Team, the HR team, and both internal and external stakeholders, including payroll and pension providers.
The successful candidate must have experience in payroll coordination and data management, as well as relevant payroll, pension or finance experience which demonstrates professional competency. The post holder must have experience managing a range of stakeholders, systems and deadlines within a payroll environment. Experience working with outsourced payroll providers and SPPA pension scheme administration is preferred, although not essential.
Strong communication, organisational, and IT skills are essential, along with the ability to multitask and work both independently and as part of a team. A commitment to high professional standards and continuous professional development is key.
Eligibility: ESMS is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. International applicants will therefore be unable to apply for and secure a Skilled Worker visa. The successful candidate will only be able to take up this role if they can demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.
Benefits: Employees get access to a range of benefits including:
- Fee remission from Nursery to S6
- Free school lunches
- Paid moving house day
- Free Sports’ Club membership, including access to pool and fitness suites
- Auto-enrolment in the Scottish Teachers’ Pension Scheme
- Death in service benefit
- Family friendly policies, including enhanced maternity leave
- Membership of the ESMS Discount and Benefits Scheme, including a range of discounts at 130,000 retail and entertainment locations
- Employee Assistance Service
- Cycle to work scheme
- Car leasing salary sacrifice scheme
- Annual professional review process
- Regular salary reviews
- Funding towards professional qualifications
Values: We are looking for individuals who can embody and promote ESMS values of Kindness, Confidence, Resilience, Integrity, and Curiosity while role modelling behaviours in line with our school pillars of Ambition, Innovation, and Community. ESMS is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Applicants must undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and Disclosure Scotland. All staff working at ESMS have direct access to young people; therefore, all posts within the school are considered exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
The closing date for applications is 12pm Friday 19 June 2026. We anticipate interviews are likely to take place week commencing 22 June 2026.
About ESMS: Welcome to the ESMS, a vibrant family of independent schools, set in beautiful grounds in the heart of Edinburgh. We offer a co-educational nursery and junior school, single-sex but closely twinned secondary education, and a co-educational sixth form. We are a consistently award-winning School, with an educational legacy that stretches back more than 300 years. Our Schools have always been pioneers of rounded education. Children’s education is underpinned by our values: kindness, confidence, resilience, integrity and curiosity.
Payroll and Pension Coordinator employer: Teacheroo
Erskine Stewart’s Melville Schools is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and dynamic work environment in the heart of Edinburgh. With a strong commitment to employee development, generous benefits including fee remission, free lunches, and access to sports facilities, we foster a culture of kindness, resilience, and innovation. Join us to be part of a pioneering educational institution that values your contributions and invests in your professional growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Payroll and Pension Coordinator
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the payroll and pensions field. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. Make sure you can demonstrate how your skills align with their mission, especially around kindness, confidence, and integrity.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! Since this role involves working with various stakeholders, being able to articulate your thoughts clearly will set you apart from the competition.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed and shows you’re serious about joining the ESMS team.
We think you need these skills to ace Payroll and Pension Coordinator
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Payroll and Pensions Coordinator role. Highlight your relevant experience in payroll governance, data management, and stakeholder management. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
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 you embody our values of kindness, confidence, resilience, integrity, and curiosity. Let us know what makes you the perfect fit for our team.
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Strong communication is key in this role, so make sure to demonstrate your ability to convey information clearly in your application. Whether it's through your CV or cover letter, we want to see how you can effectively engage with both internal and external stakeholders.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our website! It's the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our vibrant community at ESMS. We can't wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Teacheroo
✨Know Your Payroll and Pensions Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your payroll and pensions knowledge before the interview. Be ready to discuss specific processes, governance, and any experience you have with outsourced payroll providers. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the basics but can also contribute to strengthening payroll operations.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills
Since the role involves working closely with various stakeholders, prepare examples of how you've successfully managed relationships in previous roles. Think about times when you had to communicate complex information clearly or resolve conflicts, as this will demonstrate your strong communication skills.
✨Demonstrate Your Organisational Skills
The ability to multitask and manage deadlines is crucial for this position. Come prepared with examples of how you’ve effectively organised your workload in a fast-paced environment. You might even want to mention any tools or systems you use to keep everything on track.
✨Embody ESMS Values
Familiarise yourself with the values of Kindness, Confidence, Resilience, Integrity, and Curiosity that ESMS promotes. Think of ways you can illustrate these values through your past experiences. This will help you connect with the interviewers and show that you align with their culture.