Payroll Manager

Summary: The Payroll Manager role involves overseeing the payroll function during a maternity leave cover, ensuring accurate and timely payments to employees. Key responsibilities include managing payroll records, compliance with HMRC regulations, and preparing for audits. The position requires strong organizational skills and proficiency in payroll systems, with a focus on maintaining confidentiality and data protection standards. Experience in the education sector and familiarity with payroll legislation are essential for success in this role.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the payroll function to ensure all employees are paid accurately and on time.
• Manage the input and maintenance of payroll records, ensuring accurate recording of pay, benefits, overtime, absence and other adjustments.
• Manually check Human Resources and managers salary calculations.
• Ensure that the monthly and annual reporting cycles to HMRC, pension providers and others are met.
• Oversee the implementation of annual pay review changes to ensure that all elements are accurate.
• Participate in annual salary surveys such as those required by the Office of National Statistics.
• Ensure that accurate and up to date records are maintained using agreed systems, which facilitate the production of management information and ad hoc reporting.
• Manage Pensions reporting, auto-enrolment, and compliance, for all staff, working alongside Pension Advisors and Human Resources as required.
• Provide market-based benchmarking data as required.
• Prepare documents, files and reports for annual audit purposes including TPS, HMRC and statutory requirements.
• Assist with colleagues’ payroll queries and liaise with Human Resources as appropriate.
• Be proactive in communicating with colleagues and other departments.
• Assist with ad hoc tasks as required.
• Ensure compliance with HMRC regulations, including PAYE, NI and statutory payments such as SSP, SMP and SSP.
• Prepare and submit monthly and annual returns including FPS, EPS, P11Ds and year-end processes.
• Respond to payroll queries from staff in a timely and professional manner, escalating complex issues where appropriate.
• Maintain confidentiality and data protection standards in line with GDPR.
• Support in system upgrades and the implementation of process improvements and automation.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation for audit purposes.
• Assist with the documentation of processes and system improvements.
• Ensure the continuous smooth running of the department in periods of absence (e.g. annual leave).
• Assist with any other duties as required by the Foundation Director of Finance.
• Comply with the Data Protection Act 1988, the Computer Misuse Act 1990 and all other policies as detailed on the Foundation Hub and in the staff handbook.
• Report any Health & Safety problems to the Health & Safety Manager.

Key Skills:

• Proficiency in payroll systems and Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Ability to identify problems and solutions.
• Understanding of data protection legislation and implications.
• Experience using the payroll system iTrent or similar.
• Familiarity with independent school structures and staffing models.
• Experience of working within education, charity or SME environments.
• Knowledge of Teacher’s Pension Scheme.
• Worked in a similar role within a multi-site organisation of a similar size (1,000+ employees).
• High degree of accuracy and meticulous attention to detail.
• Highly organised and structured.
• Ability to manage time effectively, prioritise tasks and meet deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to build effective working relationships with key colleagues outside of the Finance Department.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Discretely manage confidential matters.
• Ability to deal confidently with payroll queries.

Salary (Rate): £56,000/year

City: undetermined

Country: England

Working Arrangements: undetermined

IR35 Status: undetermined

Seniority Level: undetermined

Industry: Other