The Post

HR Services is responsible for a range of people management activities and brings together three teams: HR Operations; Payroll & Pensions; and People Systems and Data Insights.

The Payroll & Pensions Manager will work with colleagues to strategically drive transformation within HR Services, ensuring alignment with organisational goals and optimisation of processes. This role demands a proactive approach to leadership, leveraging cross-functional collaboration to enhance efficiency and elevate service delivery, implementing technologies and methodologies to streamline payroll and pension functions.

Regulatory compliance is a critical aspect of the Payroll & Pensions Manager role which will require a proactive approach to staying abreast of changes in regulations and legislation, anticipating their implications and leading the implementation of necessary adjustments in a timely manner. By ensuring maintenance of up-to-date and comprehensive guidance notes on end-to-end payroll processing activities, the HR Services Manager will ensure that all payroll activities are conducted in accordance with auditing and legal requirements.

Description of Duties

• Provide results-driven direction and leadership to the Payroll & Pension team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, innovation and service enhancement
• Lead the optimisation of monthly payroll processes, ensuring accuracy, robust record-keeping and compliance with regulations, including (but not limited to):

- Processing and management of monthly payroll

- Reconciliation of all monthly payroll control accounts

- Administration and management of monthly payments in settlement of payroll deductions

- Administration and management of the University pension scheme (USS)

- Completion and return of all monthly and annual statutory returns

- Maintenance of comprehensive user notes on end-to-end payroll processes

- Liaison with auditors (internal and external) on all payroll related matters

• Anticipate and navigate changes in regulations and legislation, leading timely communication and implementation of necessary adjustments and ensuring robust record-keeping is in place for auditing purposes
• Collaborate with teams across the HR&OD directorate and beyond to align payroll and pension processes and provisions with broader organisational goals
• Engage with internal and external stakeholders, including colleagues in the HE sector, to explore best practice on shared issues and enhance service delivery
• Play a lead role in the implementation of advanced technologies to enhance payroll and pension functionalities, driving efficiency and accuracy
• Lead and participate in strategic projects aimed at developing and improving the current integrated HR & Payroll system as well as scoping and implementation of a new integrated people system

Essential Criteria

• Qualified to degree level or equivalent experience
• Significant payroll management experience
• Excellent communication, coaching and people skills
• Advanced knowledge of payroll legislation, including pensions and employment and tax regulations, and their application
• Substantial experience in running high volume payrolls
• Strong team leadership skills with experience in coaching and development
• Strong stakeholder management skills
• Excellent IT skills, including advanced Excel
• Proven ability to manage budgets, provide forecasting and create payroll reports
• Demonstrable evidence and experience in using continuous improvement methodologies to develop efficient, intuitive, and responsive processes

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