At a Glance
- Tasks: Oversee payroll operations and support a small team to ensure accurate payments.
- Company: Lift Schools, a diverse network dedicated to excellent education for every child.
- Benefits: Generous salary, holiday entitlement, wellbeing cash plan, and lifestyle perks.
- Other info: Home-based role with monthly team days for connection and training.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in education by ensuring staff are paid accurately and on time.
- Qualifications: Strong payroll experience, attention to detail, and collaborative skills required.
The predicted salary is between 36500 - 36500 £ per year.
Salary: £36,500
Generous holiday entitlement, wellbeing cash plan, pension scheme (LGPS), additional Lift Schools benefits.
Hours: 37 hours per week, full time
Contract: Permanent
Location: Home based, with one monthly keeping in touch day in Gateshead
Start date: ASAP
A role where accuracy, trust and people matter. At Lift Schools, we know that excellent schools rely on strong central services behind the scenes. Our payroll team plays a vital role in supporting colleagues across our network of schools, making sure people are paid accurately, on time and with care. We are looking for an experienced payroll supervisor to join our central HR operations team. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with strong end-to-end payroll knowledge who enjoys solving problems, improving processes and supporting others to do their best work. This role is primarily home-based, with a monthly in-person team day in Gateshead to support collaboration, training and team connection.
What you'll be doing:
- You will oversee the day-to-day running of payroll operations, supervising a small payroll team and helping to deliver a compliant, high-quality service across the trust.
- The role includes:
- Overseeing monthly payroll activity and quality assurance
- Supporting and developing three payroll analysts
- Managing reconciliations, BACS approvals and HMRC submissions
- Supporting complex payroll and pension queries
- Working closely with our outsourced pension provider
- Helping improve systems, processes and guidance
- Building positive relationships with schools and colleagues across the trust
You'll also play an important role in ensuring compliance across Teachers' Pensions and LGPS processes, helping us maintain a reliable and responsive payroll service for colleagues across our network.
What we're looking for:
- Strong experience running payrolls end-to-end
- Detailed knowledge of payroll legislation, tax and national insurance
- Experience working with occupational pension schemes, particularly LGPS and Teachers' Pensions
- Experience supervising or supporting payroll colleagues
- Excellent attention to detail and organisational skills
- Confidence using payroll systems, Excel and Google Workspace tools, including Google Sheets
- A collaborative and customer-focused approach
Experience within education or the public sector would be highly beneficial. Experience using iTrent is also desirable.
Who is Lift Schools?
We're a diverse and inclusive network of schools with one clear mission; to provide an excellent education to every child - in every classroom, every day. And we do this across each of our 59 schools. As with our students, we want our team to be empowered to do their best work, supported by the best leadership they've ever had. We acknowledge and appreciate the exceptional efforts of everyone here in making this an incredible organisation.
We offer you:
- Comprehensive training: Access a wide range of developmental training to boost your career.
- Generous benefits: From your pension plan to healthcare and financial support, we've got you covered.
- Lifestyle perks: Enjoy discounted gym memberships and travel deals.
Closing Date: Tuesday 2 June 2026
Interviews will be held online. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive an overwhelming response. All candidates are advised to refer to the job description and person specification before making an application.
Lift Schools are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, and we expect all our people and volunteers to share this commitment. We adopt a fair and consistent recruitment process which is inline with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. This includes online checks for shortlisted candidates. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check. Lift Schools embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. Job share, part-time and flexible working opportunities will be considered. We are a Disability Confident Employer and there is a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
Payroll Supervisor in London employer: Workcircle
At Lift Schools, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values accuracy, trust, and the well-being of our team. With a strong focus on employee growth, we offer comprehensive training, generous benefits including a pension scheme and wellbeing cash plan, and a collaborative work culture that fosters connection through monthly in-person team days in Gateshead. Join us in making a meaningful impact in education while enjoying the flexibility of a home-based role.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Payroll Supervisor in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the payroll and HR world. Let them know you're on the lookout for a Payroll Supervisor role. 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 those interviews! Brush up on your end-to-end payroll knowledge and be ready to discuss how you've tackled complex payroll issues in the past. We want to see your problem-solving skills shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your people skills! As a Payroll Supervisor, building relationships is key. Be ready to share examples of how you've supported and developed your team in previous roles. We love a collaborative spirit!
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It's the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining Lift Schools and being part of our mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Payroll Supervisor in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Payroll Supervisor role. Highlight your end-to-end payroll experience and any relevant knowledge of payroll legislation, tax, and national insurance. We want to see how your skills match 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 your experience aligns with our mission at Lift Schools. Don’t forget to mention your collaborative approach and attention to detail.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, give examples of how you've solved complex payroll issues or improved processes in the past. We love candidates who can demonstrate their ability to tackle challenges head-on and support their team effectively.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Workcircle
✨Know Your Payroll Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your end-to-end payroll knowledge. Be ready to discuss payroll legislation, tax, and national insurance in detail. This role is all about accuracy, so showing that you understand the ins and outs of payroll will definitely impress.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a payroll supervisor, you'll be overseeing a small team. Prepare examples of how you've supported or supervised colleagues in the past. Highlight any experiences where you've improved processes or solved complex payroll issues to demonstrate your leadership capabilities.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Systems
Get comfortable with payroll systems, especially if you have experience with iTrent. If you’re not familiar with it, do a bit of research beforehand. Being able to confidently discuss your experience with Excel and Google Workspace tools will also show that you're tech-savvy and ready for the role.
✨Build Relationships
This role involves building positive relationships with schools and colleagues. Think of ways you've successfully collaborated in the past and be prepared to share those stories. A customer-focused approach is key, so emphasise your ability to communicate effectively and support others.
