People Operations Assistants & Payroll & Benefits Assistant in Paisley

Department / Sector: People Team

Grade 3

Salary Scale £29,087.84 to £31,432.52 pro-rata, per annum (plus generous staff benefits package)

Initial salary placement will normally be on the first point of the scale and will increase by annual incremental progression.

Hours: Multiple

Location: Hybrid

Closing date for all completed applications is Friday 3 April 2026 (midnight).

The People Operations Assistant interviews are currently scheduled for Thursday 9 April 2026 and the Payroll and Employee Benefits Assistant on Friday 10 April 2026. We anticipate the selection process will include an interview and assessment task.

We are introducing a brand-new People Systems & Operations Team Shared Service to provide a simpler, faster and more consistent way to access transactional HR, Payroll and People support, all through one central point. This is an exciting transformation for West College Scotland, bringing together People Services, Payroll and digital systems into a modern, customer-focused service that puts efficiency, innovation and employee experience at its heart.

People Operations Assistants (1279) – Full and/or part-time hours available:

This is an exciting opportunity to join our new People Systems & Operations Team, playing a pivotal role in delivering a high-quality, consistent and customer-focused service across the employee lifecycle. Reporting to the People Systems and Operations Manager, you will act as a Tier 1 contact within our modern Shared Services model, providing accurate administrative support and clear procedural guidance through the Service Desk and digital channels. You will log, track and manage requests in line with agreed service standards and SLAs, escalating matters where appropriate, while maintaining high standards of data integrity within iTrent and associated systems. Supporting key processes including recruitment, onboarding, contractual changes, absence administration and payroll-related documentation, you will work within established policies while promoting self-service and digital workflows. As part of a forward-thinking and digitally enabled People function, you will contribute to continuous improvement, GDPR compliance and audit standards, helping to deliver a consistent, efficient and professional employee experience.

We are looking for a confident and capable communicator who thrives in a fast-paced, high-volume and customer-focused environment, with strong organisational and ICT skills, excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities. You will demonstrate professionalism, integrity and sound judgement, handle confidential information appropriately and build strong working relationships, supported by an SVQ Level 3 in Administration (SCQF Level 6) or equivalent, alongside experience in a confidential HR or administrative environment, including supporting HR processes, maintaining accurate system records and contributing to a digitally driven, continuous improvement-focused service.

Payroll and Employee Benefits Assistant (1274) – 28 hours per week:

This is an exciting opportunity to join our new People Systems & Operations Team, playing a key role in delivering a modern, compliant and high-performing payroll and benefits service. Reporting to the Payroll and Employee Benefits Advisor, you will help ensure payroll accuracy, statutory compliance and financial integrity, supporting end-to-end payroll processing, pensions administration and employee benefits within a digitally enabled environment. Acting as a first point of contact through our Service Desk, you will provide timely, professional support, resolving routine queries and escalating more complex matters where required, while maintaining high standards of data quality, system control and audit readiness. As part of a forward-thinking Shared Services model, you will contribute to continuous improvement, automation and efficient workflows, helping to deliver a consistent, transparent and trusted payroll experience across the College.

We are looking for a confident and technically capable payroll professional who thrives in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, with strong communication skills, excellent attention to detail and a commitment to service excellence. You will have a solid understanding of payroll legislation, HMRC requirements, statutory payments and pensions administration, alongside experience of end-to-end payroll processing and maintaining accurate records within defined procedures and service standards. Educated to IPP Certificate level in Payroll Administration, SVQ Level 3 (SCQF Level 6) or equivalent, you will bring the professionalism, judgement and integrity needed to handle sensitive data and support a high-quality, digitally driven payroll function.

We are an inclusive place to work: At West College Scotland we are ambitious about Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion. If you’ve got the right skills and qualifications for the job, we want to hear from you. We encourage applications from all candidates regardless of age, disability - visible and non-visible including neurodiversity, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

Benefits of working with us:

• Generous holiday entitlement - 45 days holiday (pro-rata) (including bank & public holidays).
• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave pay (subject to eligibility).
• Opportunities for hybrid working.
• Access to a dedicated wellbeing team and a 24/7 confidential employee assistance programme.
• Support to enhance your skills through a variety of methods including online learning, coaching and self-directed study.

Full details of the skills and qualifications required can be found on the employee specification. Any offer of employment will be subject to receiving a satisfactory Scheme Record through the Disclosure Scotland Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme (PVG). All candidates must be able to prove their Right to Work in the UK. Please note West College Scotland does not provide Visa sponsorship.

For an informal chat about the role, please contact Mandy Campbell.