Deputy Payroll & Pension Manager

About This Role

Working within our People Services function, you will join a busy, supportive team operating in a fast-paced environment. This is a full-time fixed-term opportunity for an initial 12 months. The appointment may be extended or concluded earlier depending on the return of the substantive postholder.

The purpose of this role is to support the delivery of an effective, efficient and compliant payroll and pensions service. This includes providing specialist payroll and pensions advice, leading policy, process and system development, and deputising for the Payroll & Pensions Manager during periods of absence.

The Payroll and Pensions Team consists of eight colleagues and processes payroll for over 5,000 employees each month through our HR and Payroll system, MHR iTrent. You will directly manage 3 Payroll and Pensions Officers who play a key role in ensuring the delivery of a seamless, proactive and customer-focused service.

Key responsibilities include:

• Ensuring delivery of an effective and efficient payroll and pensions service.
• Ensuring compliance with all statutory, regulatory and legislative payroll and pension requirements.
• Providing specialist advice on complex payroll and pension matters and ensuring queries are resolved accurately and in a timely manner.
• Supporting and developing the Payroll & Pensions Team to deliver a high-quality service and an excellent customer experience.
• Leading and contributing to service improvement initiatives, projects and process developments to enhance service delivery and operational efficiency.

UWE Bristol is a friendly and inclusive place to work, offering a competitive salary commensurate with experience, together with an excellent range of employee benefits.

About You

You will be an experienced payroll professional with a proven track record of working in a large, complex organisation. You will possess excellent organisational skills, strong attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities whilst maintaining high levels of accuracy.

You will have significant experience across all aspects of payroll administration and compliance, supported by a good working knowledge of public sector pension schemes, including the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS) and Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).

You will be confident using Microsoft 365 applications, including intermediate-level Excel skills, and will have a thorough understanding of HMRC legislation, payroll regulations and statutory requirements. You will also be able to communicate complex payroll and pension matters clearly and effectively to a range of stakeholders.

Where you will be working

UWE Bristol is a campus-based University, with vibrant campus communities that are central to student life.

In this role, you'll be based at our modern Frenchay Campus where we've invested in state-of-the-art facilities designed to help both staff and students succeed.

You'll spend most of your time on campus, typically 3 days per week, with the opportunity to work from home on the remaining days.

Why UWE Bristol?

We are one of the largest providers of Higher Education in the South West with 38,000 students and 4,000 staff from right across the globe. Based in vibrant Bristol, our ambitions are to make a positive difference to our planet, transforming futures through actions and solving real world challenges.

We offer a wide range of employee benefits including progressive pay rates, very generous annual leave and career average pension schemes as well as retail savings, onsite nursery and opportunities for training and personal development.

Add your individuality to ours

UWE Bristol recognises the power of a truly diverse university community.

We're part of a vibrant, multicultural city and welcome talented people from all backgrounds. Diversity is our strength, enhancing creativity, decision-making, and problem-solving. Join our supportive community and thrive.

We particularly encourage applications from global majority candidates as we are currently under-represented in this area, however all appointments are made strictly on individual merit.

As a Disability Confident employer, we encourage applications from disabled or neurodivergent candidates.

Further information

If you would like to speak to us to find out more about this role, please contact Tracy Humphrey on 0117 32 87941 or email: tracy.humphrey@uwe.ac.uk

Interviews are scheduled to take place at our Frenchay Campus on 16 October 2026.

Shortlisting is expected to be completed within 1 week of the closing date depending on application volumes. We aim to give candidates at least a week's notice to attend interview.

This is a full-time, working 37 hours per week, fixed-term post for an initial 12 months. The appointment may be extended or concluded earlier depending on the return of the substantive postholder.

Salary offers are made in line with the University’s salary assessment guidelines, reflecting your relevant skills and experience in parity with colleagues.

Right to Work in the UK

If offered a role, you will need to provide valid documentation confirming your right to work in the UK before employment begins. Guidance on acceptable documents is available via the Home Office Right to Work Checklist.

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