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- Tasks: Lead and improve payroll services for a diverse university community.
- Company: Join the University of Manchester and be part of a dynamic People services team.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, pension contributions, and an EV car scheme.
- Other info: Opportunity to coach others and enhance your professional skills in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on payroll processes while supporting colleagues across the university.
- Qualifications: Significant payroll experience and strong understanding of compliance and legislation.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
We have a fantastic opportunity for a proactive and people‑focused Payroll Specialist to join the University of Manchester at an exciting time for our People services. This is far more than a transactional payroll role. It is an opportunity to lead, influence and improve how payroll supports colleagues across the University, delivering a service that is accurate, compliant, responsive and genuinely employee‑centred.
Working closely with colleagues across People, Finance, IT and external providers, you will help shape a payroll service that supports the success of our people and the wider University community. You will be responsible for leading accurate and compliant payroll delivery across UK and international payrolls, whilst providing expert support for payroll reporting, audit activities, testing and legislative compliance. The role will give you the chance to identify opportunities to improve systems, processes and ways of working, whilst coaching and supporting payroll colleagues to strengthen capability, problem‑solving and professional judgement.
Essential Criteria
- Significant payroll experience within a complex or fast‑paced environment
- A strong understanding of payroll legislation, compliance and operational best practice
- Experience supporting international payroll
- The ability to manage detail whilst thinking proactively and commercially about service improvement
- Excellent communication and relationship building skills
- Confidence working with payroll systems, reporting and process improvement activity
Desirable Criteria
- Experience coaching, mentoring or supporting colleagues within a payroll environment
- Experience working within a large, matrix or complex organisation
Benefits
- Generous employer contribution pension
- 29 days annual leave plus bank holidays, along with Christmas closure
- EV car scheme available
Payroll Specialist in Manchester employer: The University of Manchester
Contact Detail:
The University of Manchester Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Payroll Specialist in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at the University of Manchester on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info about the role and the team, plus it shows our genuine interest.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on payroll legislation and compliance. We want to demonstrate our expertise and show how we can improve their payroll processes. Practice answering common questions and think of examples from our past experiences.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase our problem-solving skills! During interviews, be ready to discuss how we've tackled challenges in previous roles. This will highlight our proactive approach and ability to enhance payroll services.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets noticed. Plus, it shows we’re serious about joining the team and contributing to the University’s success.
We think you need these skills to ace Payroll Specialist in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. Highlight your payroll experience, especially in complex environments, and any international payroll knowledge you have. We want to see how you can lead and improve payroll services!
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 background aligns with our needs. Don’t forget to mention your communication skills and your proactive approach to service improvement – we love that!
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills: In your application, give examples of how you've identified and implemented improvements in payroll processes. We’re looking for someone who can think commercially and proactively, so share those success stories that demonstrate your capability!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining our team at the University of Manchester!
How to prepare for a job interview at The University of Manchester
✨Know Your Payroll Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your payroll legislation and compliance knowledge. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past experience where you've navigated complex payroll situations or improved processes. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the basics, but that you can handle the intricacies of payroll management.
✨Showcase Your People Skills
Since this role is people-focused, be prepared to talk about how you've built relationships in previous roles. Think of examples where you’ve coached or supported colleagues, especially in a payroll context. Highlighting your communication skills will demonstrate that you can effectively collaborate with various teams across the University.
✨Think Improvement
Come armed with ideas on how payroll services can be enhanced. Research common pain points in payroll processes and think about how you could address them. This proactive mindset will impress interviewers and show that you’re not just looking to fill a role, but to make a real impact.
✨Be Ready for Technical Questions
Familiarise yourself with the payroll systems and reporting tools mentioned in the job description. Be prepared to discuss your experience with these systems and how you’ve used them to improve payroll accuracy and efficiency. Showing confidence in your technical abilities will reassure the interviewers that you can hit the ground running.